Academick of Argamasilla on DON-QUIXOTE his Tombe AN EPITAPH THe worthy Knight lies there Well bruis'd but evil-andant Who born on Rozinant Rode waies both farr and neer Sancho his faithfull Squire Pansa ycleept also Lyeth besides him too In his Trade without Peer Tiquitoc Academick of Argamasilla on DULCINEA of Toboso's Sepulchre AN EPITAPH DUlcinea here beneath Lies though of flesh so round To Dust and Ashes ground By foul and ugly Death Shee was of gentle breath And somewhat like a Dame Being great Quixotes flame And her Towns glorie eath These were the Verses that could bee read As for the rest in respect that they were half consumed and eaten away by time they were delivered to a Scholler that he might by conjectures declare their meaning and wee have had intelligence that hee hath done it with the cost of many nights watching and other great paines and that hee means to publish them and also gives hope of a third Sallie made by Don-Quixote FINIS THE SECOND PART Of the HISTORY of the Valorous and Witty KNIGHT-ERRANT DON-QUIXOTE OF THE MANCHA Written in Spanish by MICHAEL CERVANTES And now Translated into English LONDON Printed by Richard Hodgkinsonne for Andrew Crooke An. Dom. 1652. The Epistle Dedicatorie TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE GEORGE Marquesse Buckingham Viscount VILLIERS Baron of Whaddon Lord high Admirall of England Justice in Eyre of all his Majesties Forrests Parks and Chases beyond Trent Master of the Horse to his Majesty and one of the Gentlemen of his Majesties Bed-Chamber Knight of the most Noble Order of the Garter and one of his Majesties most Honourable Privy Counsell of England and Scotland RIGHT NOBLE LORD YOVR humble Servant hath observ'd in the multitude of Books that have past his hands no small varietie of Dedications and those severally sorted to their Presenters ends Some for the meer ambition of great names Others for the desire or need of Protection Many to win Friends and so favour and opinion but Most for the more sordid respect Gain This humbly offers into your Lo presence with none of these deformities But as a bashfull Stranger newly arrived in English having originally had the fortune to be borne commended to a Grandee of Spain and by the way of translation the grace to kisse the hands of a great Ladie of France could not despair of lesse courtesie in the Court of Great Brittain then to be received of your Lo delight his studie being to sweeten those short starts of your retirement from publick affairs which so many so unseasonable even to molestation trouble By him who most truely honours and humbly professes all duties to your Lordship Ed. Blount The Authours Prologue to the Reader NOw God defend Reader Noble or Plebeyan what e're thou art how earnestly must thou needs by this time expect this Prologue supposing that thou must finde in it nothing but Revenge Brawling and Rayling upon the Authour of the second Don-Quixote of whom I only say as others say that hee was begot in Tordesillas and borne in Tarragona the truth is herein I mean not to give thee content Let it bee never so generall a Rule that injuries awaken and rouze up choler in humble brests yet in mine must this Rule admit an exception Thou it may bee wouldst have me be-Asse him be-Madman him and be-Fool him but no such matter can enter into my thought no let his own Rod whip him as hee hath brewed so let him bake elsewhere hee shall have it and yet there is somewhat which I cannot but resent and that is that he exprobates unto me my age and my mayme He lost one of his hands as if it had been in my power to hold Time back that so it should not passe upon me or if my mayme had befaln me in a Tavern and not upon the most famous occasion which either the ages past or present have seen At the Battell of Lepanto nor may the times to come look for the like If my Wounds shine not in the eyes of such as behold them yet shall they be esteemed at least in the judgement of such as know how they were gotten A Souldier had rather bee dead in the Battell then free by runing away And so is it with me that should men set before me and facilitate an impossibilitie I should rather have desired to have been in that prodigious action then now to bee in a whole skinne free from my skars for not having been in it The skars which a Souldier shews in his face and brest are starrs which lead others to the Haven of Honour and to the desire of just Praise and besides it may bee noted that it is not so much mens Pens which write as their Judgements and these use to be better'd with yeers Nor am I insensible of his calling me Envious and describing me as an ignorant What Envie may be I vow seriously that of those two sorts that are I skill not but of that Holy Noble and ingenious Envie which being so as it is I have no meaning to abuse any Priest especially if he hath annexed unto him the title of FAMILIAR of the Inquisition and if he said so as it seems by this second Authour that hee did he is utterly deceived For I adore his Wit admire his Works and his continuall virtuous imployment and yet in effect I cannot but thank this sweet Senior Authour for saying that my Novells are more Satyrick then Exemplar and that yet they are good which they could not be were they not so quite thorow It seems thou tellest me that I write somewhat limited and obscurely and contain my self within the bounds of my modestie as knowing that a man ought not add misery to him that is afflicted which doubtlesse must needs bee very great in this Senior since he dares not appear in open Field in the light but conceals his Name fains his Countey as if hee had committed some Treason against his King Well if thou chance to light upon him and know him tell him from me that I hold for my self no whit agrieved at him for I well know what the temptations of the Divell are and one of the greatest is when hee puts into a mans head that he is able to compose and print a Book whereby hee shall gain as much Fame as Money and as much Money as Fame For confirmation hereof I intreat thee when thou art disposed to be merry pleasant to tell him this Tale. There was a Mad-man in Sevill which hit upon one of the prettiest absurd tricks that ever Mad-man in this world lighted on which was He made him a Cane sharp at one end and then catching a Dogge in the street or elsewhere he held fast one of the Doggs Leggs under his Foot and the other he held up with his hand Then fitting his Cane as well as he could behinde he fell a blowing till he made the Dogge as round as a Ball and then holding him still in the same
reason of a great fall hee had with his horse Rozinante as hee fought with ten Giants the most unmeasurable and boldest that might bee found in a great part of the Earth Hearken quoth the Curate wee have also Giants in the dance by mine honesty I will burne them all before to morrow at night Then did they aske a thousand questions of Don-Quixote but hee would answere to none of them and only requested them to give him some meate and suffer him to sleep seeing rest was most behoovefull for him All which was done and the Curate informed himself at large of the laboring man in what sort hee had found Don-Quixote which hee recounted to him and also the follies hee said both at his finding and bringing to Towne which did kindle more earnestly the Licentiates desire to doe what hee had resolved the next day which was to call his friend the Barber M. Nicholas with whom hee came to Don-Quixotes House CHAP. VI. Of the pleasant and curious search made by the Curate and the Barbar of Don-Quixotes Library WHO slept yet soundly The Curate sought for the keyes of the Library the only authors of his harme which the Gentleman 's Niese gave unto him very willingly All of them entred into it and among the rest the old woman wherein they found more then a hundred great Volumes and those very well bound beside the small ones And as soone as the old woman had seene them shee departed very hastily out of the chamber and eftsoones returned with as great speed with a holy-water pot and a sprinkler in her hand and said Hold Master Licentiate and sprinkle this chamber all about lest there should lurke in it some one Inchanter of â—he many which these bookes contain and cry quittance with us for the penalties wee meane to inflict on these Bookes by banishing them out of this world The simplicitie of the good old woman caused the Licentiat to laugh who commanded the Barber to fetch him down the Books from their shelves one by one that hee might peruse their Arguments for it might happen some to bee found which in no fort deserved to bee chastised with Fire No replyed the Niese no you ought not to pardon any of them seeing they have all beene offenders it is better you throw them all into the base Court and there make a pile of them and then set them a Fire if not they may bee carried into the yard and there make a bon-fire of them and the smoak will offend no body the old woman said as much both of them thirsted so much for the death of these Innocents but the Curate would not condiscend thereto untill he had first read the Titles at the lest of every booke The first that Master Nicholas put into his hands was that of Amadis of Gaule which the Curate perusing a while this comes not to mee first of all others without some mystery for as I have heard told this is the first Book of Knighthood that ever was printed in Spain and all the others have had their beginning and originall from this and therefore methinks that we must condemn him to the fire without all remission as the Dogmatizer and head of so bad a Sect. Not so fie quoth the Barber for I have heard that it is the very best contrived book of all those of that kinde and therefore he is to be pardoned as the only compleat one of his profession That is true replied the Curate and for that reason we doe give him his life for this time Let us see that other which lyes next unto him It is quoth the Barber The Las Sâ—rgas pag. 73. Adventure of Splandian Amadis of Gaules lawfully begotten son Yet on mine honesty replyed the Curate his fathers goodnesse shall nothing avail him take this book old Masters and open the window throw it down into the yard and let it lay the foundation of our heap for the fire we mean to make She did what was commanded with great alacrity and so the good Splandian fled into the yard to expect with all patience the fire which he was threatned to abide Forward quoth the Curate This that comes now said the Barber is Amadis of Greece and as I conjecture all those that lye on this side are of the same linage of Amadis Then let them goe all to the yard quoth the Curate in exchange of burning Queen Pintiquinestra and the Sheepheard Darinel with his Eglogues and the subtle and intricate Discourses of the Author which are able â—o intangle the father that ingendred me if he went in form of a Knight Errant I am of the same opinion quoth the Barber And I also said the Niese Then since it is so quoth the old wife let them come and to the yard with them all They were rendred all up unto her which were many in number wherefore to save a labour of going up and down the stairs she threw them out at the window What bundle is that quoth the Curate This is answered Master Nicholas Don Olivante of Laura The authour of that booke quoth the Curate composed likewise The Garden of flowers and in good sooth I can scarce resolve which of the two works is truest or to speake better is lesse lying onely this much I can determine that this must goe to the yard being a booke foolish and arrogant This that followes is Florismarte of Hircania quoth the Barber Is Lord Florismarte there then replyed the Curate then by mine honesty he shall briefly make his arrest in the yard in despight of his wonderfull birth and famous Adventures for the drouth and harshnesse of his stile deserves no greater favour To the yard with him and this other good Masters with a very good will quoth old Mumpsimus and streight way did execute his commandement with no small gladnesse This is Platyr quoth the Barber It is an ancient book replyed the Curate wherin I finde nothing meriting pardon let him without any reply keep company with the rest Forthwith it was done Then was another book opened and they saw the title thereof to be The Knight of the Crosse. For the holy title which this book beareth quoth the Curate his ignorance might be pardoned but it is a common saying The Devill lurks behinde the Crosse wherefore let it goe to the fire The Barber taking another book said This is The Mirror of Knighthood I know his worship well quoth the Curate There goes among those books I see the Lord Raynold of Montalban with his friends and companions all of them greater Theeves then Cacus A Theefe that used to steal Cattell and pull them backward by the tayles that none might trace them and the twelve Peers of France with the Historiographer Turpin I am in truth about to condemn them only to exile for as much as they contain some part of the famous Poet Matthew Boyardo his invention Out of which the Christian Poet Lodovick Ariosto did likewise weave
Knights Village was Happie shee that might body and soul adorn With thy rich Liv'ry and thy high desire And see thy happie Knight by honour borne In cruell combat broaching out his ire But happiest she that might so cleanly scape From Amadis as thou hast whilome done From thy well mannered Knight courteous Quixote O! were I she I 'de envie no ones hap And had been merry when I most did moan And tane my pleasure without paying shot GANDALINE Amadis of Gaules Squire to Sancho Pança Don Quixotes Squire HAil famous man whom fortune hath so blist When first in Squire-like trade it thee did place As thou didst soft and sweetly passe disgrace E're thou thereof the threatning danger wist The Shovell or Sickle little doe resist The wandring exercise for now 's in grace Plain Squire-like dealing which doth quite deface His Pride that would the Moor boare with his fist Thine Asse I joyntly envy and thy name And eke thy Wallet I doe emulate An argument of thy great providence Haile once again who cause so good a man Thy worths our Spanish Ovid does relate And lovely chaunts them with all reverence A Dialogue between Babieca Horse to the Cid a famous Conqueror of Spain and Rozinante Don Quixotes Courser Ba. HOw haps it Rozinant thou art so lean Ro. Because I travell still and never eat Ba. Thy want of Barley and Straw what does it mean Ro. That of my Lord a bit I cannot get Ba. Away sir Jade you are ill mannered Whose Asses tongue your Lord does thus abase Ro. If you did see how hee 's enamoured You would conclude that hee 's the greater Asse Ba. Is love a folly Roz Sure it is no wit Ba. Thou art a Metaphisician Roz For want of meat Ba. Complain upon the Squire Roz What profits it Or how shall I my wofull plaints repeat Since though the world imputes slownesse to me Yet greater Jades my Lord and Sancho be The Table of the first part of the delightfull Historie of Don-Quixote CHAPTER I VVHerein is rehearsed the calling and exercises of the renowned Gentleman Don Quixote of the Mancha CHAP. II. Treating of the first sally that Don Quixote made to seek Adventures CHAP. III. Wherein is recounted the pleasant manner observed in the Knighting of Don Quixote CHAP. IV. Of that which befell to our Knight after hee had departed from the Inne CHAP. V. Whereing is prosecuted the former narration of our Knights misfortunes CHAP. VI. Of the pleasant and curious search and inquisition made by the Curate and Barber of Don Quixotes Librarie CHAP. VII Of the second departure that the good Knight Don Quixote made from his house to seek Adventures CHAP. VIII Of the good successe Don Quixote had in the dreadfull and never imagined Adventure of the Wind-mills with other accidents worthy to bee recounted The Table of the second part of the delightfull Historie of Don Quixote of Mancha CHAPTER I. THerein is concluded and finished the fearfull battail which the gallant Biscain sought with Don Quixote CHAP. II. Of that which besell to Don Quixote after hee had left the Ladies CHAP. III. Of that which passed between Don Quixote and certain Goatheards CHAP. IV. Of that which one of the Goatheards recounted to those that traveled with Don Quixote CHAP. V. Wherein is finished the Historie of the Pastora Marcella with other accidents CHAP. VI. Wherein are rehearsed the despairing verses of the dead Sheepheard with other unexpected events The Table of the third part of the delightfull Historie of Don Quixote of Mancha CHAPTER I. VVHerein is rehearsed the unfortunate Adventure hapned to Don Quixote by encountring with certain Yanguesian Carries CHAP. II. Of that which befell the ingenious Knight within the Inne which hee supposed to bee a Castle CHAP. III. Wherein are laid downe the innumerable misfortunes that Don Quixote and his good Squire Sancho passed in the Inne the which hee to his dammage supposed to bee a Castle CHAP. IV. Specifying the discourses passed between Sancho and his Lord Don Quixote with other occurrences worthy the recitall CHAP. V. Of the discreet discourses had between Sancho and his Lord with the succeeding Adventures of a dead body and other notable things CHAP. VI. Of a wonderfull Adventure atchieved with lesse hazard then ever any other Knight did any by the valorous Don Quixote of the Mancha CHAP. VII Of the high Adventure and rich Prize of the Helmet of Mambrino with other successes befaln the invincible Knight CHAP. VIII Of the libertie that Don Quixote gave to many wretches that were a carrying perforce to a place they desired not CHAP. IX Of that which befell the famous Don Quixote in Sierra Morena and was one of the rarest Adventures which in this authenticall History is recounted CHAP. X. Wherein is prosecuted the Adventure of Sierra Morena CHAP. XI Which treats of the strange Adventures that hapned to the Knight of the Mancha in Sierra Morena and of the penance hee did there in imitation of Beltinibros CHAP. XII Wherein are prosecuted the pranks played by Don Quixote in his amorous humours in the mountains of Sierra Morena CHAP. XIII How the Curate and Barber put their designe in practise with many other things worthy to bee recorded in this famous Historie The Table of the fourth part of the delightfull Historie of Don Quixote CHAPTER I. VVHerein is discoursed the new and pleasant Adventure that hapned to the Carate and Barber in Sierra Morena CHAP. II. Which treats of the discretion of the beautifull Dorotea and of the artificiall manner used to disswade the amorous Knight from continuing his penance and how hee was gotten away with many other delightfull and pleasant occurrences CHAP. III. Of many pleasant discourses passed between Don Quixote and those of his compaine after hee had abandoxed the rigorous place of his penance CHAP. IV. Of the pleasant discourses continnued between Don Quixote and his Squire Sancho Pança with other Adventures CHAP. V. Treating of that which befell all Don Quixotes train in the Inne CHAP. VI. Wherein is recounted the novell of the Curious Impertinent CHAP. VII Wherein is prosecuted the novell of the Curious Impertinent CHAP. VIII Wherein is finished the novell of the Curious Impertinent And likewise recounted the rough encounter passed between Don Quixote and certaine bagges of red Wine CHAP. IX Which treats of many rare successes befallen in the Inne CHAP. X. Wherein is prosecuted the Historie of the famous Princesse Micomicona with other delightfull Adventures CHAP. XI Treating of the curious discourse made by Don Quixote upon the exercise of Armes and Letters CHAP. XII Wherein the Captive recounteth his life and other accidents CHAP. XIII Wherein is prosecuted the History of the Captive CHAP. XIV Wherein the Captive yet continueth the pleasant narration of his life CHAP. XV. Which speaks of that which befell afterward in the Inne and of sundry other things worthy of knowledge CHAP. XVI Wherein is recounted the History of the Lackie
as if it were Apollo his owne worke and goe forward speedily good Gossip for it growes late This booke quoth the Barber opening of another is The twelve bookes of the fortunes of Love written by Anthony Lâ—fraso the 〈◊〉 Poet. By the holy Orders which I have received quoth the Curate since Apollo was Apollo and the Muses Muses and Poets Poets was never written so delightful band extravagant a worke as this and that in his way and vaine it is the only one of all the bookes that have everissued of that kinde to view the light of the world and hee that hath not read it may make account that hee hath never read matter of delight Give it to men Gossip for I doe prize more the finding of it then I would the gift of a Caâ—â—ocke of the best sate in of Florence and so with great joy bee laid it aside and the Barbar prosecuted saying these that follow bee The Sheepheard of Iâ—eâ—â— The Nymphs of Enares and the Recâ—â—ing of the 〈◊〉 Then there is no more to bee done but to deliver them up to the secular arm of the old wife and doe not demand the reason for that were never to make an end This that comes is The Sheepheard of Filida That is not a Sheepheard quoth the Curate but a very compleat Courtier let it bee reserved as a precious jewell This great one that followes is said the Barber intituledâ— The Treasure of divers Poems If they had not beene so many replyed the Curate they would have beene more esteemed It is necessary that this book bee carded and purged of certain base things that lurke among his high conceits Let Him bee kept both because the Author is my very great friend and in regard of other more Heroicall and lost in works hee hath written This is said the Barber The ditty booke of Lopez Maldonadâ— The Author of that worke is likewise my great friend replyed the Parson and his lines pronounced by himselfe doe ravish the hearers and such is the sweetnesse of his voice when hee sings them as it doth enchant the eare Hee is somwhat prolix in his Eglogues but that which is good is never superfluous let him bee kept among the choysest But what booke is that which lies next unto him The Galatea of Michael Cervantes quoth the Barber That Cervantes said the Curate is my old acquaintance this many a yeere and I know hee is more practised in misfortunes then in verses His booke hath some good invention in it hee intends and propounds somwhat but concludes nothing therefore wee must expect the second Part which hee hath promised perhaps his amendment may obtaine him a generall remission which until now is denied him and whilest we expect the sight of his second work keep this part closely imprisoned in your lodging I am very well content to do so good Gossip said the Barber and here there come three together The Auracana of Don Alonso de Ercilla The Austriada of Iohn Ruffo one of the Magistrates of Cordova and The Monserrato of Christopher de Virnes a Valentian Poet. All these three books quoth the Curate are the best that are written in heroicall verse in the Castilian tongue and may compare with the most famous of Italy reserve them as the richest pawns that Spain enjoyeth of Poetry The Curate with this grew weary to see so many books and so he would have all the rest burned at all adventures But the Barber ere the Sentence was given had opened by chance one entituled The Tears of Angelica I would have shed those tears my self said the Curate if I had wittingly caused such a book to bee burned for the Author thereof was one of the most famous Poets of the World not only of Spain And was most happy in the translation of certain Fables of Ovid. CHAP. VII Of the second departure which our good Knight Don-Quixote made from his house to seek Adventures WHile they were thus busied Don-Quixote began to cry aloud saying Here here valourous Knights here it is needfull that you shew the force of your valiant armes for the Courtiers begin to bear away the best of the Tourney The folk repairing to this rumour and noyse was an occasion that any farther speech and visitation of the books was omitted and therefore it is to be suspected that The Caâ—â—leâ—â— and Lyon of Spain with the acts of the Emperor Charles the fifth written by Don Luis de Avila were burned without being ever seen or heard and perhaps if the Curate had seen them they should not have pas'd under so rigorous a sentence When they all arrived to Don-Quixote his Chamber he was risen already out of his Bed and continued still his out-cries cutting and flashing on every side being as bâ—â—â—dly awake as if he never had slept Wherefore taking him in their arms they returned him by main force into his Bed and after he was somewhat quiet and setled he said turning himself to the Curate In good sooth Lord Archbishop Turpin it is a great dishonor to us that are called the twelve Peers to permit the Knights of the Court to bear thus away the glory of the Tournay without more adoe seeing that we the Adventures have gained the prize thereof the three formost dayes Hold your peace good Gossip quoth the Curate for fortune may be pleased to change the successe what is lost to day may be wonn again to morrow Look you to your health for the present for you seem at least to be very much tyred if besides you be not sore wounded Wounded no quoth Don-Quixote but doubtless I am somewhat bruised for that Bastard Don Rowland hath beaten me to powder with the stock of an Oake-tree and all for envy because he sees that I only dare oppose my self to his valour But let me be never again called Raynold of Montealban if he pay not deerly for it as soon as I rise from this Bed in despite of all his inchantment But I pray you call for my breakfast for I know it will doe me much good and have the revenge of this wrong to my charge Presently meat was brought and after he had eaten he fell a sleep and they remained astonished at his wonderfull madnesse That night the old woman burned all the books that she found in the house and yard and some there were burned that deserved for their worthynesse to be kept up in everlasting Treasuries if their fortunes and the lazinesse of the Searchers had permitted it And so the proverb was verrified in them That the Just payes sometimes for the Sinners One of the remedies which the Curate and the Barber prescribed for that present to help their friends Disease was that they should change his Chamber and dam up his Study to the end that when he arose he might not finde them for perhaps by removing the cause they might also take away the effects And moreover they bad them to say that a certain
feet there was another that said Don-Quixote Rozinante was marvellous well pourtraited so long and lank so thin and lean so like one labouring with an incurable consumption as he did shew very cleerly with what consideration and propriety he had given unto him the name Rozinante By him stood Sancho Panca holding his Asse by the halter at whose feet was another scroule saying Sancho Cancas And I think the reason thereof was that as his picture shewed he had a great belly a short stature and thick leggs And therefore I judge he was called Panca or Canca for both these names were written of him indifferently in the History There were other little things in it worthy nothing but all of them are of no great Importance nor any thing necessary for the true relation of the History for none is ill if it be true And if any objection be made against the truth of this it can be none other then that the Authour was a Moor and it is a known propriety of that Nation to be lying Yet in respect that they hate us so mortally it is to be conjectured that in this History there is rather want and concealement of our Knights worthy acts then any superfluity which I imagine the rather because I finde in the progresse thereof many times that when he might and ought to have advanced his penn in our Knights prayses he doth as it were of purpose passe them over in silence Which was very ill done seeing that Historiographers ought and should be very precise true and unpassionate and that neither profit or fear rancor or affection should make them to tread awry from the truth whose mother is History the Emulatresse of time the depository of actions the witnesse of things past and advertiser of things to come In this Historie I know a man may finde all that he can desire in the most pleasing manner and if they want any thing to be desired I am of opinion that it is through the fault of that ungracious knave that translated it rather then through any defect in the subject Finally the second part thereof according to the translation began in this manner The trenchant Swords of the two valorous and inraged combatants being listed a loft it seemed that they threatned Heaven the Earth and the Depths Such was their hardnesse and courage And the first that discharged his blow was the Biscaine which fell with such force and fury as if the Sword had not turned a little in the way that only blow had been sufficient to set an end to the rigorous Contention and all other the Adventures of our Knight But his good fortune which resolved him for greateâ— Affairs did wrest his adversaries Sword away in such sort as though he stroke him on the left shoulder yet did it no more haâ—â— then disarm all that side carying away with it a great part of his Beaver with the half of his eare all which fell to the ground with a dreadfull ruine leaving him in very ill case for a good time Good God! who is he that can well describe at this present the fury that entred in the heart of our Manchegan seeing himself used in that manner Let us say no more but that it was such that stretching himself again in the stirrops and griping his Sword fast in both his hands he discharged such a terrible blow on the Biscaine hitting him right upon the Cushion and by it on the head that the strength and thicknesse thereof so little availed him that as if a whole Mountain had faln upon him the blood gushed out of his mouth nose and ears all at once and he toâ—teredi so on his Mule that every step he took he was ready to fall off as he would indeed if he had not taken him by the neck yet neverthelesse he lost the stirrops and loosing his gripe of the Mule it being likewise frighted by that terrible blow ran away as fast as it could about the Fields and within two or three winches overthrew him to the ground All which Don-Quixote stood beholding with great quietnesse and as soon as he saw him fall he leapt off his Horse and ran over to him very speedily and setting the poynt of his Sword on his eyes he bad him yeeld himself or else he would cut off his head The Biscaine was so amazed as he could not speak a word and it had succeeded very ill with him considering Don-Quixote fury if the Ladies of the Coach which untill then had beheld the Conflict with great anguish had not come where he was and earnestly be sought him to doe them the favour to pardon their Squiers life Don-Quixote answered with a great loftinesse and gravity Truly fair Ladyes I am well appaid to grant you your request but it must be with this agreement and condition that this Knight shall promise me to goe to Toboso and present himself in my name to the Peerlesse Ladie Daloinea to the end she may dispose of him as shee pleaseth The timerous and comfortlesse Lady without considering what Don-Quixote demanded or asking what Dulâ—â— was promised that her Squire should accomplish all that he pleased to command Why then quoth Don-Quixote trusting to your promise I 'le doe him no more harme although he hath well deserved it at my hands CHAP. II. Of that which after befell unto Don-Quixote when he had left the Ladies BY this Sancho Panca had gotten up though somewhat abused by Friars Lackeyes and stood attentively beholding his Lords combate and prayed to God with all his heart that it would please him to give him the victory and that he might therein winn some Island whereof he might make him governour as he had promised And seeing the controversie ended at last and that his Lord remounted upon Rozinante he came to holde him the stirrop and cast himself on his knees before him ere hee got up and taking him by the hand hee kist it saying I desire that it will please you good my Lord Don-Quixote to bestow upon mee the government of that Island which in this terrible Battell you have wonne for though it were never so great yet doe I finde my selfe able enough to govern it as wel as any other whatsoever that ever governed Island in this world To this demand Don-Quixote answered thou must note friend Sancha that this Adventure and others of this kinde are not adventures of Islands but of thwartings and high wayes wherein nothing else is gained but a broaken pate or the losse of an ear Have patience a while for Adventures will be offered whereby thou shalt not only be made a Governor but also a greater man Sancho rendred him many thanks and kissing his hand again and the skirt of his Habergeon he did help him to get up on Rozinante and he leapt on his Asse and followed his Lord who with a swift pace without taking leave or speaking to those of the Coach he entred into a wood that was
Kingdome of Denmark or that of Sobradisa which will come as fit for thy purpose as a Ring to thy finger and principally thou art to rejoyce because they are on the continent But omitting this till his own time see whether thou hast any thing in they Wallet and let us eat it that afterward wee may goe search out some Castle wherein we may lodg this night and make the Balsamum which I have told thee For I vow to God that this ear grieves me marvellously I have here an Onion replied the Squire a peece of Cheese and a few crusts of bread but such grosse meats are not befitting so noble a Knight as you are How ill doest thou understand it answered Don-Quixote I let thee to understand Sancho that it is an honour for Knights Errant not to eat once in a moneths space and if by chance they should eat to eat only of that which is next at hand And this thou mightest certainly conceive hadst thou read so many books as I have done For though I past over many yet did I never finde recorded in any that Knights Errant did ever eat but by meer chance and Adventure or in some costly Banquests that were made for them and all the other dayes they past over with hearbs and roots and though it is to be understood that they could not live without meat and supplying the other needs of nature because they were in effect men as wee are It is likewise to be understood that spending the greater part of their lives in Forrests and Deserts and that too without a Cook that their most ordinary meats were but course and rusticall such as thou doest now offer unto me So that friend Sancho let not that trouble thee which is my pleasure nor goe not thou about to make a new world or to hoist Knight Errantry off of her hinges Pardon me good Sir quoth Sancho for by reason I can neither read nor write as I have said once before I have not fallne rightly in the Rules and Laws of Knighthood and from hence forth my Wallet shall be well furnished with all Kindes of dry fruits for you because you are a Knight and for my self seeing I am none I will provide Fowls and other things that are of more substance I say not Sancho quoth Don-Quixote that it is a forcible Law to Knights Errant not to eat any other things then such fruits but that their most ordinary sustenance could be none other then those and some herbs they found up and down the Fields which they knew very well and so doe I also It is a virtue quoth Sancho to know those Hearbs for as I imagine that knowledge will some day stand us in stead And saying so he took out the provision he had which they both eat together with good conformity But being desirous to search out a place where they might lodg that night they did much shorten their poor dinner and mounting anon a horse-back they made as much haste as they could to finde out some dwellings before the night did fall but the Sun and their hopes did fail them at once they being neer the Cabins of certain Goat-heards and therefore they concluded to take up their lodging there for that night For though Sancho's grief was great to lie out of a Village yet Don-Quixote's joy exceeded it farr considering he must sleep under open Heaven because he made account as oft as this befell him that he did a worthy act which did facilitate and ratifie the practise of his Chivalry CHAP. III. Of that which past between Don-Quixote and certain Goat-heards HE was entertained very cheerfully by the Goat-heards and Sancho having set up Rozinante and his Asse as well as he could he presently repaired to the smell of certain peeces of Goat-flesh that stood boyling in a Kettle over the Fire and although he thought in that very moment to try whether they were in season to be translated out of the Kettle into the Stomack he did omit it because he saw the Heards take them off the Fire and spreading certain Sheep-skins which they had for that purpose on the ground lay in a trice their rusticall table and invited the Master and man with very cheerfull minde to come and take part of that which they had There sate down round about the skinns six of them which were all that dwelled in that Fold having first using some course complements placed Don-Quixote upon a Trough turning the bottome up Don-Quixote sate down and Sancho stood to serve the Cup which was made of horn His Master seeing him a foot said Sancho to the end thou mayest perceive the good included in wandring Knighthood and also in what possibility they are which exercise themselves in any ministery thereof to arrive briefly to honour and reputation in the World My will is that thou doest sit here by my side and in company with this good people and that thou beest one and the very self-same thing with me who am thy Master and naturall Lord that thou eat in my dish and drink in the same cup wherein I drink for the same may be said of Chivalrie that is of Love to wit that it makes all things equall I yeeld you great thanks quoth Sancho yet dare I avouch unto you that so I had therewithall to eat well I could eat it as well or better standing and alone then if I sate by an Emperour And besides if I must say the truth me thinks that which I eat in a corner without ceremonies curiosity or respect of any though it were but bread and an Onion smacks a great deal better then Turkey-Cocks at other Tables where I must chew my meat leisurely drink but little wipe my hands often must not neese nor cough though I have a desire or be like to choake nor doe other things that solitude and liberty bring with them So that good Sir I would have you convert these honours that you would bestow upon me in respect that I am an adherent to Chivalry as I am being your Squire into things more essentiall profitable for me then these though I remain as thankfull for them as if they were received yet doe I here renounce from this time untill the worlds end For all that thou shalt sit for the humble shall be exalted and so taking him by the arm hee forced him to sit down neer himself The Goat-heards did not understand that Gibbrish of Squires and Knights Errant and therefore did nothing else but eat and hold their peace and look on their guests that tossed in with their fists whole slices with good grace and stomacks The course of flesh being ended they served in on the rugges a great quantity of sheld Akorns and half a Cheese harder then if it were made of rough-casting the horne stood not the while idle for it went round about so often now full now empty much like a Conduit of Noria Arcaduzed Noria p. 76. And in
another meaning for he approached with intention to punish the wench beleeving that shee was infallibly the cause of all that harmony And so as men say the Cat to the Rat the Rat to the Cord the Cord to the Poste So the Carrier struck Sancho Sancho the wench she returned him again his liberality with interest and the In-keeper laid load upon his maid also And all of them did mince it with such expedition as there was no leisure at all allowed to any one of them for breathing And the best of all was that the Inn-keepers lamp went out and then finding themselves in darknesse they belaboured one another so without compassion and at once as wheresoever the blow fell it bruised the place pittifully There lodged by chance that night in the Inn one of the Squadron of these which are called of the old Holy Brotherhood of Toledo The Holy Brotherhood or the Sancta Hermandad are a certain number of men whose chief office is to free the High-way from Robbers he likewise hearing the wonderfull noyse of the fight laid hand on his Rod of Office and the tinn box of his Titles and entred into the chamber without light saying Stand still to the Officer of Justice and to the Holy Brotherhood And saying so the first whom he met was the poor battered Don-Quixote who lay overthrown in his Bed stretched with his face upward without any felling and taking hold of his beard he cryed out incessantly Help the Justice But seeing that he whom he held fast bowed neither hand or foot he presently thought that he was dead and that those battaillants that fought so eagerly in the Room had slain him wherefore he lifted his voyce and cryed out loudly saying Shut the Inn door and see that none escape for here they have kil'd a man This word Astonished all the Combattants so much as every one left the Battail in the very terms wherein this voyce had overtaken them The Inn-keeper retyred himself to his Chamber the Carrier to his Coverlets the Wench to her Couch and only the unfortunate Don-Quixote and Sancho were not able to move themselves from the place wherein they lay The Officer of the Holy Brotherhood in this space letting slip poor Don-Quixotes beard went out for light to search and apprehend the Delinquents but he could not finde any For the Inn-keeper had purposely quenched the Lamp as he retyred to his Bed wherefore the Officer was constrained to repair to the chimney where with great difficulty after he had spent a long while doing of it he at last lighted a Candle CHAP. III. Wherein are rehearsed the innumerable Misfortunes which Don-Quixote and his good Squire Sancho suffered in the Inn which hee to his harm thought to be a Castle BY this time Don-Quixote was come to himself again out of his Trance and with the like lamentable note as that wherewithall he had called his Squire the day before when he was overthrown in the vale of the Pack-staves he called to him saying Friend Sancho art thou a sleep sleepest thou friend Sancho What I a sleep I renounce my self quoth Sancho full of grief and despight if I think not all the Devills in Hell have been visiting of me here this night â— Thou mayest certainly believe it replyed Don-Quixote for either I know very little or else this Castle is Inchanted For I let thee to wit but thou must first swear to keep secret that which I mean to tell thee now untill after my death So I swear quoth Sancho I say it quoth Don-Quixote because I cannot abide to take away any bodies honour Why quoth Sancho again I swear that I will conceale it untill after your Worships dayes and I pray God that I may discover it to morrow Have I wrought thee such harm Sancho replyed the Knight as thou wouldest desire to see me end so soon It is not for that Sir quoth Sancho but because I cannot abide to keep things long lest they should rott in my custody Let it be for what thou pleasest said Don-Quixote for I doe trust greater matters then that to thy love and courtesie And that I may rehearse it unto thee briefly know that a little while since the Lord of this Castles daughter came unto me who is the most fair and beautifull Damzell that can be found in a great part of the earth what could I say unto thee of the ornaments of her person what of her excellent wit what of other secret things which that I may preserve the faith due unto my Lady Dulcinea of Toboso I passe over in silence I will only tell thee that Heaven envious of the inestimable good that fortune had put in my hands Or perhaps and that is most probable this Castle as I have said is Inchanted just at the time when we were in most sweet and amorous speech I being not able to see or know from whence it came there arrived a hand joyned to the arm of some mighty Gyant and gave me such a blow on the jawes as they remain all bathed in blood and did after so thump and bruise me as I feel my self worse now then yesterday when the Carriers through Rozinantes madnesse did use us thou knowest how By which I conjecture that the treasure of this Damzels beauty is kept by some Inchanted Moor and is not reserved for me Nor for me quoth Sancho for I have been bumbasted by more then four hundred Moors which have hammer need in such sort as the bruising of the Pack-staves was gilded bread and spice cakes in comparison of it But Sir I pray you tell me How can you call this a good and rare Adventure seeing we remain so pittifully used after it And yet your harms may be accounted lesse in respect you have held as you said that incomparable beauty between your arms But I what have I had other then the greatest blows that I shall ever have in my life Unfortunate that I am and the Mother that bare me that neither am a errant Knight nor ever means to be any and yet the greatest part of our mishaps still falls to my lot It seems that thou wast likewise beaten replyed Don-Quixote Evill befall my linage quoth Sancho have not I told you I was Be not grieved Friend replyed the Knight for I will now compound the precious Balsamum which will cure us in the twinkling of an eye The Officer having by this time alighted his Lamp entred into the Room to see him whom he accounted to be dead and as soon as Sancho saw him seeing him come in in his shirt his head lapt up in a kerchiff the lamp in his hand having withall a very evill-favoured countenance he demanded of his Lord Sir is this by chance the Inchanted Moor that turns anew to torment us for somewhat that is yet unpunished He cannot be the Moor answered Don-Quixote for Nigromancers suffer not themselves to be seen by any If they suffer not themselves to
fears as shall for ever remain recorded in the books of fame Doest thou see Sancho the dust which ariseth there know that it is caused by a mighty Army and sundry and innumerable Nations which come martching there If that be so quoth Sancho then must there be two Armies for on this other side is raised as great a dust Don-Quixote turned back to behold it and seeing it was so indeed he was marvellous glad thinking that they were doubtlesly two Armies which came to fight one with another in the midest of that spacious Plain For he had his fantasie ever replenished with these battails inchantments successes ravings loves and challenges which are reheased in books of Knighthood And all that ever he spoak thought or did was addrest and applyed to the like things And the dust which he had seen was raised by two great Flocks of Sheep that came through the same Field by two different wayes and could not be discerned by reason of the dust untill they were very neer Don-Quixote did affirm that they were two Armies with so very good earnest as Sancho believed it and demanded of him Sir what then shall we two doe What shall we doe quoth Don-Quixote but assist the needfull and weeker side For thou shalt know Sancho that 〈◊〉 who comes towards us is the great Emperor Alifamfaron Lord of the great Island of Trapobana The other who martcheth at our back is his enemy the King of the Garamantes Pantopoline of the naked Arme so called because he still entereth in battail with his right Arme naked I pray you good Sir quoth Sancho to tell me why these two Princes hate one another so much They are enemies replyed Don-Quixote because that this Alifamfaron is a furious Pagan and is enamoured of Pentâ—polin's Daughter who is a very beautifull and gracious Princesse and moreover a Christian and her Father refuseth to give her to the Pagan King untill first he abandon Mahomet's false Sect and become one of his Religion By my beard quoth Sancho Pentapolin hath reason and I will help him all that I may By doing so quoth Don-Quixote thou performeâ—â— thy Duty for it is not requisite that one be a Knight to the end he may enter into such battails I doe apprehend that my self quoth Sancho very well But wheâ—e shall we leave this Asle in the mean time that we may be 〈◊〉 to finde him again after the Conflict for I think it is not the custome to enter into battail mounted on such a Beast It is true quoth Don-Quixote that which thou mayest doe is to leave him to his Adventures and care not whether he be lost or found for we shall have so many horses after coming out of this Battail Victors that very Rozinante himself is in danger to be changed for another But be attentive for I mean to describe unto thee the principall Knights of both the Armies And to the end thou mayest the better see and note all things let us retire our selves there to that little hillock from whence both Armies may easily be discryed They did so and standing on the top of a hill from whence they might have seen both the Flocks which Don-Quixote called an Army very well if the clouds of dust had not hindred it and blinded their sight yet notwithstanding our Knight seeing in conceit that which really he did not see at all began to say with a loud voyce That Knight which thou â—eest there with the yellow Armour who bears in his Shield a Lyon crownd crouching at a Damzells feet is the valorous Laurcalio Lord of the Silver Bridge The other whose Armes are powdred with flowers of gold and beares in an Azure Field three Crowns of silver is the dreaded Micocolembo great Duke of Quirocia The other limbed like a Gyant that standeth at his right hand is the undaunted Brandabarbaray of Boliche Lord of the three Arabias and comes Armed with a Serpents skin bearing for his Shield as is reported one of the Gates of the Temple which Sampson at his death overthrew to be revenged of his enemies But turn thine eyes to this other side and thou shalt see first of all and in the Front of this other Army the ever Victor and never Vanquished Timoneâ— of Carcaiona Prince of new Biskaye who comes Armed with Armes parted into blew green white and yellow quarters and bears in his Shield in a Field of tawney a Cat of gold with a letter that sayes Miau Cat which is the beginning of his Ladies name which is as the report runs the peeâ—â—esse Miaulina Daughter to Duke Alfeniquen of Algarue The other that burdens and oppresseth the back of that mighty Alfana Courser whose Armour is as white as Snow and also his Shield without any devise is a new Knight of France called Pierres Papin Lord of the Barony of Vâ—â—ique The other that beats his horsâ— sides with his Armed heels and bears the the Armes of pure Azâ—â—e is the mighty Duke of Nerâ—ia Esparâ—asilardâ— of the Wood who bears for his devise a Esparraguera Harrow with a Motto that sayes So trailâ— my Fortune And thus he proceeded forward naming may Knights of the one and the other Squadron even as he had imagined them and attributed to each one his Arms his Colours Impreâ—â—e and Mottoes suddainly 〈◊〉 away by the imagination of his wonderfull distraction and without stammering he proceeded saying This first Squadron conteâ—eth folk of many Nations 〈…〉 are those which taste the sweet waters of famous 〈◊〉 the Mountainous men that tread the Mafilical fields those that doe sift the most pure and rare gold 〈…〉 Those that possessed the famous and delightfull banks of cleer 〈…〉 blood many and sundry waies the golden 〈◊〉 The Numides unsteadfast â—n their promise The Persianâ— famous for Archers The â—arthes and Medes thaâ— fight flyingâ— The Arabs inconstant in their dwellings The 〈◊〉 as cruell as white The Aethiops of boared lips and other infinite Naâ—ions whose faces I know and behold although I have forgotten their denominations In that other Army come those that taste the Christalins streams of the Olive-braring 〈◊〉 Those that dip and polish their faces with the liquor of the ever-rich and 〈◊〉 Tagâ—â—â— Those that possesse the profitable fluent of divine Genile Those that trample the 〈◊〉 fields so abundant in pasture Those that recreate themselves in the 〈◊〉 fields of 〈◊〉 The rich Manchâ—gans crowned with ruddy 〈◊〉 of corne Those apparrelled with iron the ancient reliques of the â—spansâ— Those thâ—â— bathe themselves in Pesverga renowned for the smoothnesse of his current Those that feed their Flocks in the vast Fields of the wrâ—athing 〈◊〉 so celebrated for his hidden course Those that tremble through the â—â—ld of the bushy Pirens and the lofty or white crested Apenineâ— Finally all those that Europe in it self contrinetâ— Good God I how many Provinces repeated he at that time and how many Nations did he name giving to every one of them with 〈…〉 and briefnesse
and was this The night did shut up with some darknesse yet notwithstanding they travelled on still Sancho believing that since that was the high-way there must be within a league or two in all reason some Inn. Travailing therefore as I have said in a dark night the Squire being hungry and the Master having a good stomack they saw coming towards them in the very way they travailed a great multitude of lights resembling nothing so well as wandring stars Sancho beholding them was struck into a wonderfull amazement and his Lord was not much better The one drew his Asse halter the other held his horse and both of them stood still beholding attentively what that might be and they perceived that the lights drew still neerer unto them and the more they approached they appeared the greater at the sight Sancho did tremble like one infected by the favour of Quick-silver and Don-Quixotes hair stood up like bristles who animating himself a little said Sancho this must be questionlesse a great and most dangerous Adventure wherein it is requisite that I shew all my valour and strength Unfortunate I quoth Sancho if by chance this Adventure were of Ghosts as it seemeth to me that it is where will there be ribs to suffer it Be they never so great Ghosts said Don-Quixote I will not consent that they touch one hair of thy Garmens For if they jested with thee the other time it was because I could not leap over the walls of the yard but now we are in plain Field where I may brandish my Sword as I please And if they inchant and benum you as they did the other time quoth Sancho what will it then avail us to be in open Field or no For all that replyed Don-Quixote I pray thee Sancho be of good courage for experience shall shew thee how great my valour is I will and please God quoth Sancho And so departing somewhat out of the way they began again to view earnestly what that of the travailling lights might be and after a very little space they espied many white things whose dreadfull visions did in that very instant abate Sancho Panca his courage and now began to chatter with his teeth like one that had the cold of a Quartan when they did distinctly perceive what it was then did his beating and chattering of teeth increase for they discovered about some twenty all covered with white a horse-back with Tapers lighted in their hands after which followed a Litter covered over with black and then ensued other six a horse-back attired in mourning and likewise their Mules even to the very ground for they perceived that they were not horses by the quietnesse of their pace The white folk road murmuring somewhat among themselves with a low and compassive voyce Which strange vision at such an hour and in places not inhabited was very sufficient to strike fear into Sancho's heart and even in his Masters If it had been any other then Don-Quixote but Sancho tumbled here and there being quite overthrown with terrour The contrary hapned to his Lord to whom in that same hour his imagination represented 〈◊〉 him most lively the Adventure wherein he was to be such a one as he oft times had read in his books of Chivalry For it is figured unto him that the litter was a Beer wherein was carried some grievously wounded or dead Knight whose revenge was only reserved for him And without making any other discourse he set his Launce in the rest seated himself surely in his Saddle and put himself in the midst of the way by which the white folk must forcibly passe with great spirit courage And when he saw them draw neer he said with a lowd voyce Stand Sir Knight whosoever you be and render me account what you are from whence you come where you goe and what that is which you carry in that Beer For according as you shew either you have done to others or others to you some injury And it is convenient and needfull that I know it either to chastise you for the ill you have committed or else to revenge you of the wrong which you have suffered Wee are in haste quoth one of the white men and the Inn is far off and therefore cannot expect to give so full a relation as you request and with that spurring his Mule passed forward Don-Quixote highly disdaining at the answer took by the bridle and held him saying Stay proud Knight and be better mannered another time and give me account of that which I demanded if not I desie you all to mortall battail The Mule whereon the white man road was somewhat fearfull and skittish and being taken thus rudely by the bridle shee took such a fright that rising up on her hinder legs she unhorsed her Rider one of the Lacquies that came with them seeing him fallen began to revile Don-Quixote who being by this throughly inraged without any more adoe putting his Launce in the rest rann upon one of the Mourners and threw him to the ground very â—ore wounded And turning upon the rest it was a thing worthy the noting with what dexterity he did assault break upon them and put them all to flight and it seemed none other but that Rozinante had gotten then wings hee bestirred himself so nimbly and couragiously All those white men were fearfull people and unarmed and therefore fled away from the Skirmish in a trice and began to traverse that field with their Tapers burning that they seemed to be Maskers that use to runn up and down in nights of jove and recreation The Mourners likewise were so laped up and muffled by their mourning weeds as they could scarce stir them so that Don-Quixote did without any danger of his person give them all the Bastanado and caused them to forsake their rooms whether they would or no For all of them did verily think that he was â—o man but a Devill of Hell that met them to take away the dead body which they carried in the Litter All this did Sancho behold marveilously admiring at his Master boldnesse which made him say to himself my Master is infallibly as strong and valiant as he said There lay on the ground by him whom his Mule had overthrown a wax Taper still burning by whose light Don-Quixote perceived him and comming over to him he laid the poynt of his Launce upon his face saying that he should render himself or else he would slay him To which the other answered I am already rendred more then enough seeing I cannot stir me out of the place for one of my legs is broken And if you be a Christian I desire you not to kill me for therein you would commit a great sacriledge I being a Licenciate and have received the first Orders Well then quoth Don-Quixote what Divill brought thee hither being a Church-man Who Sir replyed the overthrown but my misfortune Yet doth a greater threaten thee said Don-Quixote if thou doest
that hee who hath overcome them is but one person alone and growing ashamed thereof would perhaps joyne and unite themselves and turne upon us and give us enough businesse to doe The Asse is in good plight according to my desire and the mountaine at hand and hunger oppresseth us therefore wee have nothing else to doe at this time but retire our selves with a good pace and as it is said to the grave with the Dead and let them live to the Bread And pricking on his Asse hee requested his Master to follow him who seeing that Sancho spoke not without reason hee spur'd after him without replying and having travailed a little way between two small Mountaines they found a large and hidden Valley where they alighted and Sancho lightning his beast and lying both along upon the greene grasse holpen by the sauce of hunger they broke their fasts dined eate their Beaver and Supper all at one time satisfying their apetites with more then one dish of cold meate which the dead Gentlemans Chaplaines which knew how to make much of themselves had brought for their provision But here succeeded another discommodity which Sancho accounted not as the least and was that they had no wine to drink no nor as much as a dropp of water to rinse their mouthes and being scorched with drought Sancho perceiving the field where they were full of thick and green grasse said that which shall ensue in the Chapter following CHAP. VI. Of a wonderfull Adventure atchieved with lesse hazard then ever any other Knight did any by the valorous Don-Quixote of the Mancha IT is not possible my Lord but that these green hearbs doe argue that neer unto this place must bee some Fountain or stream that watereth them and therefore I pray you let us goe a little farther and wee shall meete that which may mitigate the terrible thirst that afflicts us which sets us questionless in more paine then did our hunger This counsell was allowed by Don-Quixote and therefore leading Rozinante by the Bridle and Sancho his Asse by the halter after laying up the reversion of their Supper they set on through the plaine only guided by their guesse for the night was so darke as they could not see a jot And scarce had they travailed two hundred paces when they heard a great noise of water as if it fell headlong from some great and steep Rock The noise did cheere them very much and standing to heare from whence it sounded they heard unawares another noyse which watered all the continent they conceived before specially in Sancho who as I have noted was naturally very fearfull and of little spirit They heard I say certain blowes strucken with proportion with a kinde of ratling of irons and chaines which accompanied by the furious sound of the water might strike terror into any other heart but Don-Quixotes The night as wee said was darke and they hapned to enter in among certaine tall and loftie trees whose leaves moved by a soft gale of winde made a fearfull and still noyse so that the solitude situation darknesse and the noyse of the water and trembling of the leaves concurring did breed horror and affright But specially seeing that the blowes never ceased the winde slept not nor the morning approached whereunto may bee added that they knew not the place where they were But Don-Quixote accompanied with his valiant heart leaped on Rozinante and embracing his Buckler brandished his Launce and said Friend Sancho I would have thee know that I was born by the disposition of Heaven in this our Age of iron to resuscitate in it that of Gold or the Golden world as it is called I am he for whom are reserved all dangerous great and volorus feats I say again that I am he which shall set up again those of the Round Table the twelve Peers of France and the nine Worthies I am he who shall cause the Acts to be forgotten of those Platires Tablantes Olivantes and Tirantes The Phebuseâ— Belâ—amses with all the crew of the famous Knights Errant of times past doing in this wherein I live such great and wonderfull feaâ—s of Armes as shall obscure the bravest that ever they atchieved Thou notest well faithfull and loyall Squire the darkenesse of this night the strange silence the deaf and confused trembling of these Trees the dreadfull noyse of that water in whose search we come which seems to throw it self headlong down from the steep Mountains of the Moon the inceslable blows which doth still wound our ears all which together and every one apart are able to strike terrour fear and amazement into the very minde of Mars how much more in his that is not accusâ—omed to the like chances and Adventures Yet all this which I have depainted to thee are inciters and â—owsers of my minde which now causeth my heart almost to burst in my breast with the desire it hath to trye this Adventure how difficult soever it shews it self Wherefore â—ye my horse gyrts a little straighter and farewell Here in this place thou mayest expect me three dayes and no more And if I shall 〈◊〉 return in that space thou mayest goe back to our Village and from thence for my sake to Toboso where thou shalt say to my incomparable Lady Dulcinea that her captive Knight dyed by attempting things that might make him worthy to bee called hers When Sancho heard his Lord speak these words he began to weep with the greatest compassion of the World and say unto him Sir I see no reason why you should undertake this fearfull Adventure it is now night and no body can perceive us we may very well crosse the way and apart our selves from danger although we should therefore want drink these three dayes And seeing none behold us there will be much lesse any one to take notice of our cowardize the rather because I heard oft times the Curate of our Village whom you know very well preach That he which seeks the â—â—â—ger perisheth therein so that it is not good to â—empt God undertaking such a huge Affair out of which you cannot escape but by miracle and let those which Heaven hath already wrought for you suffice in delivering you from being costed in a Coverlet as I was and bringing you away a Victor free and safe from among so many enemies as accompanied the dead man And when all this shall not move or soften your hard heart let this move it to think and certainly believe that scarce shall you depart from this place when through very fear I shall give up my Soul to him that pleaseth to take it I left my Countrey Wife and Children to come and serve you hoping thereby to be worth more and not lesse But as coveâ—â—â—nesse breaks the Sack so hath it also torne my Hopes seeing when they were most pregnant and lively to obtâ—in that unluckle and accursed Island which you promised me so often I see that in exchange pay
God shall deliver you out of all Adventures that may befall you as whole and sound as he hath done out of this Hath not the great fear we were in been a good subject of laughter and a thing worthy the telling At least I for of you I am certain that you doe not yet know what fear or terrour is I doe not denye quoth Don-Quixote but that which befell us is worthy of laughter yet ought it not to be recounted for as much as all persons are not so discreet as to know how to discerne one thing from another and set every thing in his right poynt You know at least wise quoth Sancho how to set your Javelin in his poynt when poynting at my pate you hit me on the shoulders thanks be to God and to the diligence I put in going aside But farewell it for all will away in the bucking and I have heard old folk say That man loves thee well who makes thee to weep And besides great Lords are wont after a bad word which they say to one of their Servingmen to bestow on him presently a pair of hose But I know not yet what they are wont to give them after blows if it be not that Knights Errant give after the Bastanado Islands or Kingdoms on the continent The Die might run so favourably quoth Don-Quixote as all thou hast said might come to passe and therefore pardon what is done since thou art discreet and knowest that a mans first motions are not in his hand And be advertised of one thing from hence forward to the end to abstain and carry thy self more respectively in thy over-much liberty of speech with me that in as many books of Chivalry as I have read which are infinite I never found that any Squire spoak so much with his Lord as thou doest with thine which in good sooth I doe attribute to thy great indiscretion and mine thine in respecting me so little mine in not making my self to be more regarded Was not Gandalin Amadis du Gaules Squire Earl of the firm Island and yet it is read of him that hee spoak to his Lord with his Cap in his hand his head bowed and his body bended more Turcesco What then shall we say of Gasabel Don Gataors Squire who was so silent as to declare us the excellencie thereof his name is but once repeated in all that so great and authenticall a History Of all which my words Sancho thou must infer that thou must make difference between the Master and the man the Lord and his Serving-man the Knight and his Squire So that from this day forward we must proceed with more respect not letting the clew run so much for after what way soever I grow angry with thee it will be bad for the Pitcher The rewards and benefits that I have promised thee will come in their time and if they doe not thy wages cannot be lost as I have already said to thee You say very well quoth Sancho but fain would I learn in case that the time of rewards came not and that I must of necessity trust to my wages how much a Knight Errants Squire did gain in times past Or if they did agree for moneths or by dayes as Masons men I doe not think quoth Don-Quixote that they went by the hire but only trusted to their Lords courtesie And if I have assigned wages to thee in my sealed Testament which I left at home it was to prevent the worst because I know not yet what successe Chivalry may have in these our so miserable times and I would not have my Soul suffer in the other world for such a minuity as is thy wages For thou must understand that in this world there is no state so dangerous as that of Knights Errant That is most true replyed Sancho seeing the only sound of the Maces of a Fulling-Mill could trouble and disquiet the heart of so valiant a Knight as you are But you may be sure that I will not hereafter once unfold my lips to jest at your doings but only to honour you as my Master and naturall Lord. By doing so replyed Don-Quixote thou shalt live on the face of the earth for next to our parents we are bound to respect our Masters as if they were our Fathers CHAP. VII Of the high Adventure and rich winning of the Helmet of Mambrino with other Successes which befell the invincible Knight IT began about this time to rain and Sancho would fain have entred into the fulling-Mills but Don-Quixote had conceived such hate against them for the jest recounted as he would in no wise come neer them but turning his way on she right hand he fell into a high◠way as much 〈◊〉 as that wherein they rode the day before within a while after Don-Quixote espied one a horse-back that bore on his head somewhat that glistered like gold and scarce had he seen him when he turned to Sancho and said Me thinks Sancho that there 's no proveb that is not true for they are all sentences taken out of experience it self which is the universall mother of Sciences and specially that proverb that sayes Where one door is shut another is opened I say this because if fortune did shut yester night the door that we searched deceiving us in the Adventure of the iron Maces it layes us how wide open the door that may addresse us to a better and more certain Adventure whereon if I cannot make a good entrie the fall shall be mine without being able to attribute it to the little knowledge of the Fulling Maces or the darkenesse of the night which I affirm because if I be not deceived there comes one towards us that wears on his head the helmet of Mambrino for which I made the Oath See well what you say Sir and better what you doe quoth Sancho for I would not with that this were new Maces to batter us and our understanding The Divell take thee for a man replyed Don-Quixote what difference is there betwixt a Helmet and fulling Maces I know not quoth Sancho but if I could speak as much now as I was wont perhaps I would give you such reasons as you your self should see how much you are deceived in that you speak How may I be deceived in that I say scrupulous traytor quoth Don-Quixote Tell me seest thou not that Knight which comes riding towards us on a dapple gray horse with a Helmet of gold on his head That which I see and finde out to be so answered Sancho is none other then a man on a gray Asse like mine own and brings on his head somewhat that shines Why that is Mambrino's Helmet quoth Don-Quixote stand aside and leave me alone with him thou shalt see how without speech to cut off delayes I will conclude this Adventure and remain with the Helmet as mine own which I have so much desired I will have care to stand off but I turn again to say that I
pray God that it be a purchase of gold and not Fulling-Mills I have already said unto thee that thou doe not make any more mention no not in thought of those Maces For if thou doest said Don-Quixote I vow I say no more that I will batter thy soul. Here Sancho fearing lest his Master would accomplish the vow which he had thrown out as round as a bowle held his peace This therefore is the truth of the History of the Helmetâ— Horse and Knight which Don-Quixote saw There was in that Commarke two villages the one so little as it had neither shop nor Barber but the greater that was neere unto it was furnished of one and hee therefore did serve the little village when they had any occasion as now it befell that therein lay one sick and must bee let blood and another that desired to trimme his Beard for which purpose the Barber came bringing with him a brazen Bason and as hee travelled it â—y chance began to rayne and therefore clapt his Bason on his head to save his hat from stayning because it belike was a new one And the Bason being cleane scowred glistered halfe a league off Hee rode on a gray Asse as Sancho said and that was the reason why Don-Quixote tooke him to bee a dapple gray Steed Hee likewise took the Barber for a Knight and his glistering Bason for a Helmet of gold for hee did with all facilitie apply every thing which hee saw to his raving Chivalrie and ill-errant thoughts And when hee saw that the poor Knight drew neere without setling himselfe to commune with him hee inrested his Sancon Javelin low on the thigh and ran with all the force Rozinante might thinking to strike him thorow and thorow and drawing neere unto him without stoping his Horse hee cryed defend thy selfe Caytif or else render unto mee willingly that which is my due by all reason The Barber who so without fearing or surmising any such thing saw that Fantasie and Spirit came upon him had no other remedy to avoid the blow of the Launce but to fall off of his Asse to the ground and scarce had hee touched the earth when rissing up againe as light as a Deer he runn away so swiftly through the plane as the winde could scarce overtake him leaving behind him on the ground his Bason wherewithall Don-Quixote rested content and said that Pagan which lost it was discreet and did imitate the Castor who seeing himself hotly pursued by the hunters which tears cuts away that with his teeth for which hee knows by naturall instinct he was followed Then hee commanded Sancho to take up the Helmet who lifting it said the Bason is a good one by God and is as well worth a Riall of eight as a marmedie and giving it to his Lord hee presently set it on his head turning about every way to see whether hee could get the Beaver and seeing hee could not finde it hee said The Pagan for whome this famous Helmet was first forged had doubtlesly a very great Head and that which grieves mee principally is that this Helmet wants the one halfe When Sancho haard him call the Bason a Helmet hee could not contain his laughter but presently remembering of his Masters choler hee chek't it in the midst Why dost thou laugh Sancho quoth Don-Quixotes I laugh said hee to thinke on the great head the Pagan owner of this Helmet had for it is for all the world like a Barbers Bason Know Sancho that I imagine quoth Don Quixote that this famous peece of this inchanted Helmet did fall by some strange accident into some ones hands that knew not the worth thereof and seeing it was of pure gold without knowing what hee did I thinke hee hath molten the halfe to profit himselfe therewithall and made of the oso ther halfe this which seemes a Barbers Bason as thou sayest But bee what it list to mee who knows well what it is his transmutation makes no matter for I will dresse it in the first towne where I shall finde a Smith as that which the God of forges made for the God of Warre shall not surpasse no nor come neere it and in the meane while I will weare it as I may for somthing is better then nothing and more seeing it may very well defend mee from the blow of a stone That 's true quoth Sancho if it bee not throwne out of a sling such as that of the battle of the two Armies when they blessed your Worships cheeke teeth and broke the bottle wherein you carried the most blessed drench which made mee vomit up my guts I doe not much care for the losse of it Sancho quoth Don-Quixote for as thou knowest I have the receite in memory so have I likewise quoth Sancho but if ever I make it or taste it again in my life I pray God that here may bee mine end How much more I never meane to thrust my selfe into any occasion wherein I should have neede of it for I meane with all my five sences to keepe my selfe from hurting any or being hurt Of being once againe tost in a Coverlet I say nothing for such disgraces can hardly bee prevented and if they befall there is no other remedie but patience and to lift up the shoulders keepe in the breath shut the eyes and suffer our selves to be borne where Fortune and the Coverlet pleaseth Thou art a bad Christian Sancho quoth Don-Quixote hearing him say so for thou never forgetest the injuries that are once done to thee know that it is the duty of noble and generous mindes not to make any account of toyes What leg hast thou brought away lame what rib broken or what head hurt that thou canst not yet forget that jest for the thing being well examined it was none other then a jest or pastime for if I did not take it to be such I had returned by this to that place and done more harme in thy revenge then that which the Greeks did for the rape of Helen who if she were in these times or my Dulcinea in hers she might be sure she should never have gained so much fame for beauty as she did And saying so he pierced the skie with a sigh Then said Sancho let it passe for a jest since the revenge cannot passe in earnest But I know well the quality both of the jest and earnest and also that they shall never fall out of my memory as they will never out of my shoulders But leaving this apart what shall we doe with this dapple gray stead that looks so like a gray Asse which that Martin left behinde whom you overthrew who according as he laid feet on the dust and made haste he mindes not to come back for him again and by my beard the gray beast is a good one I am not accustomed quoth Don-Quixote to ransack and spoyl those whom I overcome nor is it the practise of Chivalry to take their
mens intreaties I say it to this purpose that if the King your father in law will not condiscend to give unto you the Princesse my Mistresse then there 's no more to be done but as you say to her steal away and carry her to another place but all the harme is that in the mean while that composition is unmade and you possesse not quietly your Kingdome the poor Squire may whistle for any benefit or pleasure you are able to doe him if it bee not that the damzel of whom you spoke even now run away with her Lady and that hee passe away his misfortunes now and then with her untill heaven ordaine some other thing for I doe think that his Lord may give her unto him presently if shee please to be his lawfull Spouse There 's none that can deprive thee of that quoth Don-Quixote Why so that this may befall quoth Sancho there 's no more but to commend our selves to God and let Fortune runne where it may best addresse us God bring it so to passe quoth Don-Quixote as I desire and thou hast need of Sancho and let him be a wretch that accouts himself one Let him be so quoth Sancho for I am an old Christian and to be an Earl there is no more requisite I and 't is more then enough quoth Don-Quixote for that purpose and though thou werest not it made not much matter for I being a King may give thee nobility without eyther buying of it or serving me with nothing For in creating thee an Earle loe thereby thou art a Gentleman And let men say what they please they must in good faith call thee Right Honourable although it grieve them never so much And think you quoth Sancho that I would not authorize my Litado Thou must say Dictado or dignity quoth Don-Quixote and not Litado for that 's barbarous word Let it be so quoth Sancho Panca I say that I would accommodate all very well for I was once the Warner of a Confratriety and the Warners gown became me so well that every one said I had a presence sit for the Provest of the same Then how much more when I shall set on my shoulders the Royall Robe of a Duke or bee apparrelled with gold and pearls after the custome of strange Earls I doe verify believe that men will come a hundred leagues to see me Thou wilt seem very well quoth Don-Quixote but thou must shave that beard very often for as thou hast it now so bushie knit and unhandsome if thou shavest it not with a Razor at the least every other day men will know that thou art as farre from Gentilitie as a Musquet can carrie What more is there to be done quoth Sancho then to take a Barber and keep him hired in my house yea and if it be necessary hee shall ride after me as if hee were a Master of Horse to some Noble man How knowest thou quoth Don-Quixote that Noble men have their Masters of Horses riding after them Some few years agoe I was a moneth in the Court and there I saw that a young little Lord rode by for his pleasure they said hee was a great Grandee there followed him still a horse-back a certain man turning every way that he went so as he verily seemed to bee his horse taile I then demanded the cause why that man did not ride by the others side but still did follow him so They answered me that he was Master of his horses and that the Grandees were accustomed to carrie such men after them Thou sayest true quoth Don-Quixote and thou mayest carrie thy Barber in that manner after thee for customes came not all together nor were not invented at once And thou mayest bee the first Earl that carried his Barber after him And I doe assure thee that it is an Office of more trust to trim a mans beard then to saddle a horse Let that of the Barber rest to my charge quoth Sancho and that of procuring to be a King and of creating me an Earl to yours It shall bee so quoth Don-Quixote And thus lifting up his eyes hee saw that which shall bee recounted in the chapter following CHAP. VIII Of the Liberty Don-Quixote gave to many Wretches who were a carrying perforce to a place they desired not CIde Hamete Benengeli an Arabicall and Machegan Authour recounts in this most grave lofty divine sweet conceited History That after these discourses past between Don-Quixote and his Squire Sancho Panca which we have laid down in the last Chapter Don-Quixote lifting up his eyes saw that there came in the very same way wherein they rode about some twelve men in a company on foot inserted like Bead-stones in a great chain of iron that was tyed about their necks and every one of them had manacles besides on their hands There came to conduct them two on horse-back and two others a foot The horsemen had fire-lock pieces Those that came a foot darts and swords And as soon as Sancho saw them hee said This is a chain of Gally-slaves people forced by the King to goe to the Gallies How people forced demanded Don-Quixote is it possible that the King will force any body I say not so answered Sancho but that it is people which are condemned for their offences to serve the King in the Gallies perforce In resolution replyed Don-Quixote howsoever it bee this folk although they bee conducted goe perforce and not willingly That 's so quoth Sancho Then if that bee so here falls in justly the execution of my Function to wit the dissolving of violences and outrages and the succouring of the afflicted and needfull I pray you Sir quoth Sancho to consider that the Justice who represents the King himself doth wrong or violence to nobody but only doth chastise them for their committed crimes By this the chaine of slaves arrived and Don-Quixote with very courteous termes requested those that went in their guard that they would please to informe him of the cause wherefore they carried that people away in that manner One of the guardians a Horse-back answered that they were slaves condemned by his Majesty to the Gallies and there was no more to be said neither ought he to desire any farther knowledge For all that replied Don-Quixote I would faine learne of every one of them in particular the cause of his disgrace and to this did add other such and so courteous words to move them to tell him what he desired as the other guardian a Horse-back said Although we carry here the Register and testimony of the condemnations of every one of these wretches yet this is no time to hold them here long or take out the Processes to reade draw you neerer and demaund it of themselves for they may tell it and they please and I know they will for they are men that take delight both in acting and relating knaveries With this licence which Don-Quixote himself would have taken although they had
his Asse and so seeing himself deprived of him hee began the most sad and doâ—efull lamentation of the world in such sort as hee awaked Don-Quixote with his out-cries who heard that he said thus O child of my howels borne in mine own house the sport of my children the comfort of my wife and the envie of my neighbours the ease of my burdens and finally the susteiner of half of my person for with six and twenty Marvidiis that I gained dayly by thee I did defray half of mine expences Don-Quixote who heard the plaint and knew also the cause did comfort Sancho with the best words hee could devise and desired him to have patience promising to give a letter of exchange to the end that they of his house might deliver him three Asses of five which hee had left at home Sancho comforted himself again with this promise and dryed up his tears moderated his sighs and gave his Lord thanks for so great a favour And as they entred in farther among those Mountains wee cannot recount the joy of our Knight to whom those places seemed most accommodate to atchieve the Adventures hee searched for They reduced to his memory the marvellous accidents that had befaln Knights Errant in like Solitudes and Desarts And hee rode so over-whelmed and transported by these thoughts as hee remembred nothing else nor Sancho had any other care after hee was out of fear to bee taken but how to fill his belly with some of the râ—licks which yet remained of the Clericall spoyles and so hee followed his Lord taking now and then out of a basket which Rozinante carried for want of the Asse some meat lining there-withall his paunch and whilest hee went thus imployed hee would not have given a 〈◊〉 to encounter any other Adventure how honourable soever But whilst he was thus busied he espyed his Master labouring to take up with the point of his Javeline some bulk or other that lay on the ground and went towards him to see whether hee needed his help just at the season that he lifted up a saddle Cushion and a Portmantue fast to it which were half 〈◊〉 or rather wholly roited by the weather yet they weighed so much that Sanchoes assistance was requisite to take them up and straight his Lord commanded him to see what was in the Wallet Sancho obeyed with expedition And although it was shut with a chaine and hanging lock yet by the parts which were torn he saw what was within to wit four fine Holland shirts and other 〈◊〉 both curious and clean and moreover a handkercher wherein was a good quantity of Gold which he perceiving said Blessed bee Heaven which hath once presented to us a beneficiall Adventure And searching for more he found a Tablet very costly bound This Don-Quixote took of him commanding him to keep the gold with himself for which rich favour Sancho did presently kisse his handes and after taking all the linnen hee clapt it up in the bag of their Virtuals Don-Quixote having stored all these things said Me thinks Sancho and it cannot bee possible any other that some travâ—â—ler having left his way past through this Mountain and being encountred by thieves they slew him and buried him in this secret place It cannot bee so answered Sancho for if they were Theeves they would not have left this money behind them Thou sayest true quoth Don-Quixote and therefore I cannot conjecture what it might be but stay a while we will see whether there be any thing written in these Tablets by which we may vent and finde out that which I desire Then he opened it and the first thing that he found written in it as it were a first draught but done with a very faire Character was a Sonnet which he read aloud that Sancho might also hear it and was this which ensues OR love of understanding quite is voyde Or he abounds in cruelty or my paine Th' occasion equals not for which I bide The torments dirâ— he maketh me sustaine But if love be a God I dare maintaine He nought ignores and reason aye decides Gods should not cruell be then who ordaines This paine I worship which my heart devides Filis I err if thou I say it is For so great ill and good cannot consist Nor doth this wrack from Heav'n befall but yet That shortly I must die can no way misse For th'evill whose cause is hardly well exprest By miracle alone true cure may get Nothing can bee learned by that Verse quoth Sancho if by that Hilo or thread An allusion to the Spanish word Hilo signifying a thread which is said there you gather not where lies the rest of the clue What Hilo is here quoth Don-Quixote Me thought quoth Sancho that you read Hilo there I did not but Fili said Don-Quixote which is without doubt the name of the Lady on whom the Authour of this Sonnet complains who in good truth seems to bee a reasonable good Poet or else I know but little of that Art Why then quoth Sancho belike you doe also understand Poetry That I doe and more then thou thinkest quoth Don-Quixote as thou shalt see when thou shalt carry a Letter from me to my Lady Dulcinea deâ— Toboso written in verse from the one end to the other For I would thou shouldest know Sancho that all or the greater number of Knights Errant in times past were great Versifiers and Musitians For these two qualities or graces as I may better terme them are annext to amorous Knights Adventures True it is that the Verses of the ancient Knights are not so adorned with words as they are rich in conceits I pray you read more quoth Sancho for perhaps you may finde somewhat that may satisfie Then Don-Quixote turned the leaf and said This is prose and seems to bee a Letter What Sir a missive Letter quoth Sancho No but rather of Love according to the beginning quoth Don-Quixote I pray you therefore quoth Sancho read it loud enough for I take great delight in these things of Love I am content quoth Don-Quixote And reading it loudly as Sancho had requested it said as ensueth Thy false promise and my certain misfortune doe carry me to such a place as from thence thou shalt sooner receive news of my death then reasons of my just complaints Thou hast disdained me O ingrate for one that hath more but not for one that is worth more then I am But if virtue were a treasure of estimation I would not Emulate other mens fortunes nor weep thus for mine own misfortunes That which thy beauty erected thy works have overthrown by it I deemed thee to bee an Angell and by these I certainly know thee to bee but a woman Rest in peace O causer of my War and let Heaven work so that thy Spouses deceits remain still concealed to the end thou maiest not repent what thou did'st and I bee constrained to take revenge of that I desire not Having read the
add that Of Toboso the time could not bee understood and in truth it was so as hee himself did afterward confesse Hee composed many others but as we have related none could be well copied or found intire but these three Stanza's In this and in sighing and invoking the Faâ—nes and Silvanes of these woods and the Nymphs of the adjoyning streams with the doloroâ—s and hollow Ecchâ— that it would answer and they consort and listen unto him and in the search of some hearbs to sustein his languishing forces he entertained himself all the time of Sancho his absence who had he staid three weeks away as hee did but three dayes The Knight of the Ill-favoured face should have remained so disfigured as the very mother that bore him would not have known him But now it is congruent that leaving him swallowed in the gulfs of sorrow and verifying we turn and recount what hapned to Sancho Panca in his Embassage which was that issuing out to the high-way hee presently took that which led towards Toboso and arrived the next day following to the Inn where the disgrace of the Coverlet befell him and scarce had he well espied it but presently hee imagined that he was once again flying in the aire and therefore would not enter into it although his arrivall was at such an hour as hee both might and ought to have stayed being dinner time and he himself likewise possest with a marvelous longing to taste some warme meat for many dayes past he had fed altogether on cold Viands This desire enforced him to approach to the Inn remaining still doubtfull notwithstanding whether hee should enter into it or no. And as hee stood thus suspended there issued out of the Inn two persons which presently knew him and the one said to the other Tell me Master Licentiate is not that horseman that rides there Sancho Panca hee whom our Adventurers old woman said departed with her Master for his Squire It is quoth the Licentiat and that is our Don-Quixote his horse And they knew him so well as those that were the Curate and Barber of his own Village and were those that made the search and formall processe against the Books of Chivalry and therefore as soon as they had taken full notice of Sancho Panca and Rozinante desirous to learn news of Don-Quixote they drew neer unto him and the Curate called him by his name saying Friend Sancho Panca where is your Master Sancho Panca knew them instantly and desirous to conceal the place and manner wherein his Lord remained did answer them that his Master was in a certain place with-held by affairs for a few dayes that were of great consequence and concerned him very much and that hee durst not for both his eyes discover the place to them No no quoth the Barber Sancho Panca if thou doest not tell us where hee sojourneth wee must imagine as wee doe already that thou hast rob'd and slain him specially seeing thou commest thus on his horse and therefore thou must in good faith get us the horses owner or else stand to thine answer Your threats fear me nothing quoth Sancho for I am not a man that Robs or Murthers any one every man is slain by his destinie or by God that made him My Lord remains doing of penance in the midest of this Mountain â—with very great pleasure And then hee presently recounted unto them from the beginning to the end the fashion wherein he had left him the Adventures which had befaln and how hee carried a Letter to the Lady Dulcinea of Toboso who was Larenco Corcuelo his daughter of whom his Lord was enamoured up to the Livers Both of them stood greatly admired at Sancho's relation and although they knew Don-Quixote's madnesse already and the kinde thereof yet as often as they heard speak thereof they rested newly amazed They requested Sancho to shew them the Letter that he carried to the Lady Dulcinea of Toboso Hee told them that it was written in Tablets and that hee had expresse order from his Lord to have it fairly copied out in paper at the first Village whereunto he should arrive To which the Curate answered bidding shew it unto him and he would write out the copie very fairly Then Sancho thrust his hand into his bosome and searched the little book but could not finde it nor should not though hee had searched till Dooms-day for it was in Don-Quixote's power who gave it not to him nor did hee ever remember to demand it When Sancho perceived that the book was lost hee waxed as wan pale as a dead man and turning again very speedily to feel all the parts of his body hee saw cleerly that it could not bee found and therefore without making any more adoe hee laid hold on his own beard with both his fists and drew almost the one half of the hair away and afterward bestowed on his face and nose in a momento half a dozen such cuffs as hee bathed them all in blood which the Curate and Barber beholding they asked him what had befalne him that hee intreated himself so ill What should befall me answered swered Sancho but that I have lost at one hand and in an instant three Colts whereof the least was like a Castle How so quoth the Barber Marry said Sancho I have lost the Tablets wherein were written Dulcineas Letter and a schedule of my Lords addrest to his Neece wherein hee commanded her to deliver unto me three Colts of four or five that remained in his house And saying so hee recounted the losse of his gray Asse The Curate comforted him and said that as soon as his Lord were found hee would deal with him to renew his grant and write it in Paper according to the common use and practise for as much as those which were written in Tablets were of no value and would never be accepted nor accomplished With this Sancho took courage and said if that was so he cared not much for the losse of Dulcineas Letter for he knew it almost all by rote Say it then Sancho quoth the Barber and we will after write it Then Sancho stood still and began to scratch his head to call the Letter to memory and now would hee stand upon one leg and now upon another Sometimes hee looked on the earth other whiles upon Heaven and after he had gnawn off almost the half of one of his nails and held them all the while suspended expecting his recitall thereof he said after a long pause On my soul Master Licentiate I give to the Divell any thing that I can remember of that Letter although the beginning was thus High and unâ—avorie Lady I warrant you quoth the Barber he said not but super-humane or Sovereigne Ladie It is so quoth Sancho and presently followed if I well remember He that is wounded and wants sleepe and the hurt man doth kisse your worships hands ingrate and very scornefull faire And thus hee went
roving untill hee ended in Yours untill death The Knight of the ill-favoured face Both of them tooke great delight to see Sancho's good memorie and praysed it to him very much and requested him to repeate the Letter once or twice more to them that they might also beare it in memorie to write it at the due season Sancho turned to recite it againe and againe and at every repetition said other three thousand Errors And after this hee told other things of his Lord but spoke not a word of his owne tossing in a Coverlet which had befaln him in that Inne into which hee refused to enter Hee added besides how his Lord in bringing him a good dispatch from his Lady Dulcinea of Toboso would forthwith set out to endeavour how hee might become an Emperour or at the least a Monarch for they had so agreed betweene themselves both and it was a very easie matter for him to become one such was the valour of his Person and strength of his arme And that when hee were one hee would procure him a good marriage for by that time hee should bee a widower at the least and hee would give him one of the Emperours Ladies to wife that were an Inheritrix of some great and rich state on the firme land for now hee would have no more Islands And all this was related so seriously by Sancho and so in his perfect sence hee scratching his nose ever and anon as hee spoke so as the two were stricken into a new amazement pondering the vehemencie of Don-Quixotes frenzie which carried quite away with it in that sort the judgement of that poore man but would not labour to dispossesse him of that Errour because it seemed to them that since it did not hurt his Conscience it was better to leave him in it that the recitall of his follies might turn to great recreation and therefore exhorted him to pray for the health of his Lord for it was a very possible and contingent thing to arive in the processe of time to the dignity of an Emperor as he said or at least to that of an Archbishop or other calling equivalent to it Then Sancho demanded of them Sirs if fortune should turne our affaires to another course in such sort as my Lord abandoning the purpose to purchase an Empire would take in his head that of becomming a Cardinall I would faine learne of you here what Cardinalls-Errant are wont to give to their Squires They are wont to give them quoth the Curate some simple Benefice or some Parsonage or to make them Clerkes or Sextons or Vergers of some Church whose living amount to a good penny rent beside the profit of the Altar which is oft-times as much more For that it is requisite quoth Sancho that the Squire bee not married and that hee know how to helpe Masse at least and if that bee so unfortunate I that both am married and knows not besides the first letter of the A B C. what will then become of me if my Master take-the humour to bee an Arch-Bishop and not an Emperour as is the Custome and use of Knights Errant Doe not afflict thy minde for that friend Sancho quoth the Barber for wee will deal with thy Lord here and wee will counsell him yea wee will urge it to him as a matter of conscience that hee become an Emperour and not an Arch-Bishop for it will bee more easie for him to bee such a one by reason that hee is more valorous then learned So me thinks quoth Sancho although I know he hath ability enough for all That which I mean to doe for my part is I will pray unto our Lord to conduct him to that place wherein he may serve him best and give me greatest rewards Thou speakest like a discreet man quoth the Curate and thou shalt doe therein the dutie of a good Christian But that which wee must indeavour now is to devise how wee may winn thy Lord from prosecuting that unprofitable penance hee hath in hand as thou sayest And to the end wee may think on the manner how and eat our dinner withall seeing it is time let us all enter into the Inn. Sancho bade them goe in and hee would stay for them at the door and that he would after tell them the reason why he had no minde to enter neither was it in any sort convenient that he should but he intreated them to bring him somewhat forth to eat that were warm and some Provand for Rozinante With that they departed into the lodging and within a while after the Barber brought forth unto him some meat And the Curate and the Barber after having pondered well with themselves what course they were to take to attain their design the Curate fell on a device very fit both for Don-Quixotes humour and also to bring their purpose to passe and was as he told the Barber that hee had bethought him to apparell himself like a Lady Adventurous and that he therefore should doe the best that he could to fit himself like a Squire and that they would goe in that habit to the place where Don-Quixote sojourned feigning that she was an afflicted and distressed Damzell and would demand a boon of him which hee as a valorous Knight Errant would in no wise denye her and that the gift which hee meaned to desire was to intreat her to follow her where she would carry him to right a wrong which a naughty Knight had done unto her and that shee would besides pray him not to command her to unmask her self or inquire any thing of her estate untill hee had done her that rightâ— against that bad Knight And by this means he certainly hoped that Don-Quixote would grant all that he requested in this manner And in this sort they would fetch him from thence and bring him to his Village where they would labour with all their power to see whether his extravagant frenzie could bee recovered by any remedy CHAP. XIII How the Curate and the Barber put their Designe in practise with many other things worthy to be recorded in this famous History THE Curates invention disliked not the Barber but rather pleased him so well as they presently put it in execution They borrowed therefore of the Inn-keepers wife a Gown and a Kerchief leaving her in pawn thereof a fair new Cassock of the Curates The Barber made him a great beard of a pyed Oxes tayle wherein the Inn-keeper was wont to hang his Horse-combe The Hostesse demanded of them the occasion why they would use these things The Curate recounted in brief reasons of Don-Quixotes madnesse and how that disguisement was requisite to bring him away from the Mountain wherein at that present he made his abode Presently the Inn-keeper and his wife remembred themselves how hee had been their guest and of his Balsamum and was the tossed Squires Lord and then they rehearsed again to the Curate all that had passed between him and them
Brother if thou beest a Christian as thou appearest to bee one I pray thee for Gods sake that thou doe forthwith addresse this Letter to the place and person that the superscription assigneth for they bee well known and therein thou shalt doe our Lord great service And because thou mayest not want means to doe it take what thou shalt finde wraped in that handcerchif And saying so shee threw out of the window a handcerchif wherein were laped up a hundred Rialls this Ring of gold which I carry here and that Letter which I delivered unto you and presently without expecting mine answer shee departed but first saw me take up the handkerchif and Letter and then I made her signes that I would accomplish herein her command and after perceiving the pains I might take in bringing you it so well considered and seeing by the indorsement that you were the man to whom it was addrest for Sir I know you very well and also oblieged to doe it by the tears of that beautifull Lady I determined not to trust any other with it but to come and bring it you my self in person and in sixteen hours since it was given unto me I have travelled the journey you know which is at least eighteen leagues long Whilest the thankfull new Messenger spake thus unto me I remained in a manner hanging on his words and my thighs did tremble in such manner as I could very hardly sustein my self on foot yet taking courage at last I opened the Letter whereof these were the Contents THe word that Don Ferdinando hath past unto you to speak to your father that hee might speak to mine hee hath accomplished more to his own pleasure then to your profit For Sir you shall understand that hee hath demanded me for his wife and my father borne away by the advantage of worths which hee supposes to bee in Don Ferdinando more then in you hath agreed to his demand in so good earnest as the espousals shall bee celebrated within these two dayes and that so secretly and alone as only the Heavens and some folk of the house shall bee witnesses How I remain imagine and whether it bee convenient you should return you may consider And the successe of this affair shall let you to perceive whether I love you well or no. I beseech Almightie God that this may arrive unto your hands before mine shall be in danger to joyn it self with his which keepeth his promised faith so ill These were in summe the contents of the Letter and the motives that perswaded me presently to depart without attending any other answer or other monies for then I conceived cleerly that it was not the buy-all of the horses but that of his delights which had moved Don Ferdinando to send me to his brother The rage which I conceived against him joyned with the fear to lose the Jewell which I had gained by so many yeers service and desires did set wings on me for I arrived as I had flyen next day at mine owne City in the houre and moment fit to goe speake to Luscinda I entred secretly and left my Mule whereon I rode in the honest mans House that had brought mee the Letter and my fortune purposing then to bee favourable to mee disposed so mine affaires that I found Luscinda siting at that yron-grate which was the sole witnesse of our Loves Luscinda knew mee streight and I her but not as wee ought to know one another But who is hee in the world that can truely vaunt that hee hath penetrated and throughly exhausted the confused thoughts and mutable nature of women Truly none I say then to proceed with my tale that as soon as Luscinda perceived me shee said Cardenio I am attyred with my wedding Garments and in the Hall doth wait for me the Traitor Don Ferdinando and my covetous father with other witnesses which shall rather bee such of my death then of mine espousals bee not troubled deer friend but procure to bee present at this sacrifice the which if I cannot hinder by my perswasions and reasons I carry hidden about me a Ponyard secretly which may hinder more resolute forces by giving end to my life and a beginning to thee to know certain the affection which I have ever borne and doe bear unto thee I answered her troubled and hastily fearing I should not have the leisure to reply unto her saying Sweet Ladie let thy works verifie thy words for if thou carriest a Ponyard to defend thy credit I doe here likewise bear a Sword wherewithall I will defend thee or kill my self if fortune proove adverse and contrary I believe that she could not hear all my words by reason shee was called hastily away as I perceived for that the Bridegroom expected her comming By this the night of my forrows did throughly fall and the Sunne of my gladnesse was set and I remained without light in mine eyes or discourse in my understanding I could not finde the way into her house nor could I moove my self to any part yet considering at last how important my presence was for that which might befall in that adventure I animated my self the best I could and entred into the house and as one that knew very well all the entries and passages thereof and specially by reason of the trouble and businesse that was then in hand I went in unperceived of any And thus without beeing seen I had the oportunity to place my self in the hollow room of a window of the same Hall which was covered by the ends of two encountring pieces of Tapestry from whence I could see all that was done in the Hall remaining my self unviewed of any Who could now describe the assaults and surprizals of my heart while I there abode the thoughts which incountred my minde the considerations which I had which were so many and such as they can neither bee said nor is it reason they should Let it suffice you to know that the Bridegroom entred into the Hall without any ornament wearing the ordinary array hee was wont and was accompanied by a Cousin Germane of Luscinda's and in all the Hall there was no stranger present nor any other then the houshold Servants Within a while after Luscinda came out of the Parlour accompanied by her mother and two waiting maids of her own as richly attired and deckt as her calling and beauty deserved and the perfection of Courtly pomp and bravery could afford my distraction and trouble of minde lent me no time to note particularly the apparrell shee wore and therefore did only marke the colours which were Carnation and White and the splendour which the precious Stones and Jewels of her Tires and all the rest of her Garments yeelded yet did the singular beauty of her fair and golden tresses surpasse them so much as being in competencie with the precious Stones and flame of four Links that lighted in the Hall yet did the splendour thereof seem farr more bright
affirmed if that humour passed on any farther hee feared his Lord would bee in danger never to become an Emperour as hee was bound in honour no nor a Cardinall which was the least that could be expected of him The Licentiat bid him bee of good cheer for they would bring him from thence whether he would or no and recounted to Cardenio and Dorotea what they had bethought for Don-Quixotes remedie or at least for the carrying him home to his house To that Dorotea answered that shee would counterfeit the distressed Ladie better then the Barber and chiefly seeing she had apparrel wherewithall to act it most naturally And therefore desired them to leave to her charge the representing of all that which should bee needfull for the atchieving of their Designe for shee had read many books of Knighthood and knew well the stile that distressed Damzels used when they requested any favour of Knights Adventurous And then need we nothing else quoth the Curate but only to put our purpose presently in execution For questionlesse good successe turns on our side seeing it hath so unexpectedly begun already to open the gates of your remedy and hath also facilitated for us that whereof we had most necessity in this exigent Dorotea took forthwith out of her Pillow-bear a whole Gown of very rich stuff and a short Mantle of another green stuff and a Collar and many other rich Jewels out of a Boxe wherewithall she adorned her self in a trice so gorgeously as shee seemed a very rich and goodly Ladie All which and much more shee had brought with her as shee said from her house to prevent what might happen but never had any use of them untill then Her grace gesture and beauty liked them all extreamly and made them account Don Fernando to bee a man of little understanding seeing hee contemned such feature But hee which was most of all admired was Sancho Panca because as hee thought and it was so indeed that hee had not in all the dayes of his life before seen so fair a creature and he requested the Curate very seriously to tell him who that beautifull Ladie was and what shee sought among those thorow-fares This fair Lady friend Sancho answered the Curate is as if a man said nothing shee is so great Heir apparent by direct line of the mighty Kingdome of Micomicon and comes in the search of your Lord to demand a boon of him which is that hee will destroy and undoe a great wrong done unto her by a wicked Gyant and through the great fame which is spread over all Guinea of your Lords prowesse this Princesse is come to finde him out A happy searcher and a fortunate finding quoth Sancho and chiefly if my Master bee so happy as to right that injury and redresse that wrong by killing that ô the mighty Lubber of a Gyant whom you say yes hee will kill him I am very certain if hee can once but meet him and if hee bee not a Spirit for my Master hath no kinde of power over Spirits But I must request one favour of you among others most earnestly good Master Licentiat and it is That to the end my Lord may not take an humbur of becoming a Cardinall which is the thing I fear most in this world that you will give him counsell to marry this Princesse presently and by that means hee shal remain incapable of the dignity of a Cardinall and will come very easily by his Empire and I to the end of my desires for I have thought well of the matter and have found that it is in no wise expedient that my Lord should become a Cardinall for I am wholy unfit for any Ecclesiasticall dignity seeing I am a married man And therefore to trouble my self now with seeking of dispensations to enjoy Church livings having as I have both wife and children were never to end So that all my good consists in that my Lord doe marry this Princesse instantly whose name yet I know not and therefore I have not said it Shee is hight quoth the Curate the Princesse Micomicona for her Kingdome being called Micomicon it is evident shee must be termed so That is questionlesse quoth Sancho for I have known many to take their denomination and surname from the place of their birth calling themselves Peter of Alcala Iohn of Vbeda and Iames of Valedolid and perhaps in Guinea Princes and Queens use the same custome and call themselves by the names of their Provinces So I thinke quoth the Curate and as touching your Masters marriage with her I will labour therein as much as lies in my power Wherewithall Sancho remained as well satisfied as the Curate admired at his simplicitie and to see how firmly hee had fixed in his fantasie the very ravings of his Master seeing hee did beleeve without doubt that his Lord should become an Emperour Dorotea in this space had gotten upon the Curates Mule and the Barber had somwhat better fitted the beard which hee made of the Oxes tayle on his face and did after intreat Sancho to guide them to the place where Don-Quixote was and advertised him withall that hee should in no wise take any notice of the Curate or Barber or confesse in any sort that hee knew them for therein consisted all the meanes of bringing Don-Quixote to the minde to become an Emperour Yet Cardenio would not goe with them fearing lest thereby Don-Quixote might call to minde their contention and the Curate thinking also that his presence was not expedient◠remayned with him letting the others goe before and these followed a far off fayre and softlie on foote and ere they departed the Curate instructed Dorotea anew what shee should say who bid him to feare nothing for shee would discharge her part to his satisfaction and as Bookes of Chivalrie required and laid downe They travelled about three quarters of a league as they espied the Knight and at last they discovered him among a number of intricate Rocks all apparelled but not armed and as soone as Dorotea beheld him shee struck her Palfrey her well-bearded Barber following her and as they approached Don-Quixote the Barber leaped lightly downe from his Mule and ran towards Dorotea to take her downe betweene his armes who alighting went with a very good grace towards Don-Quixote and kneeled before him And although hee strived to make her arise yet shee remayning still on her knees spake to him in this manner I will not arise from hence thrice valorous and approved Knight untill your bountie and courtesie shall grant unto mee one Boone which shall much redound unto your honour and prize of your Person and to the profit of the most disconsolate and wronged Damzell that the Sunne hath ever seene And if it bee so that the valour of your invincible Arme bee correspondent to the bruite of your immortall same you are obliged to succour this comfortlesse Wight that comes from lands so remote to the sound of your
famous name searching you for to remedy her mis-haps I will not answere you a word faire Lady quoth Don-Quixote nor heare a jot of your affaire untill you arise from the ground I will not get up from hence my Lord quoth the afflicted Lady if first of your wonted bountie you doe not grant to my request I doe give and grant it said Don-Quixote so that it bee not a thing that may turn to the dammage or hindrance of my King my Country or of her that keeps the key of my Heart and Liberty It shall not turn to the dammage or hindrance of those you have said good Sir replied the dolorous Damzel and as shee was saying this Sancho Panca rounded his Lord in the eare saying softly to him Sir you may very well grant the request she asketh for it is a matter of nothing it is only to kill a monstrous Gyant and she that demands it is the mightie Princesse Micomicona Queen of the great Kingdome of Micomicon in Ethiopia Let her bee what shee will quoth Don-Quixote for I will accomplish what I am bound and my conscience shall inform me comformable to the State I have professed And then turning to the Damzell hee said Let your great beauty arise for I grant to you any boon which you shall please to ask of me Why then quoth the Damzell that which I demand is That your magnanimous person come presently away with me to the place where I shall carry you and doe likewise make me a promise not to undertake any other Adventure or demand untill you revenge me upon a Traytor who hath against all Laws both Divine and Humane usurped my Kingdome I say that I grant you all that quoth Don-Quixote and therefore Lady you may cast away from this day forward all the Melancholy that troubles you and labour that your languishing and dismaied hopes may recover again new strength and courage for by the help of God and that of mine arme you shall see your self shortly restored to your Kingdome and enthronized in the Chair of your ancient and great Estate in despite and maugre the Traytors that shall dare gainsay it and therefore hands to the work for they say that danger alwayes follows delay The distressed Damzell strove with much adoe to kisse his hand But Don-Quixote who was a most accomplished Knight for courtesie would never condescend thereunto but making her arise hee imbraced her with great kindnesse and respect and commanded Sancho to saddle Rozinante and help him to Arme himself Sancho took down the Armes forthwith which hung on a Tree like Trophies and searching the Gyrts armed his Lord in a moment who seeing himself Armed said Let us in Gods name depart from hence to assist this great Lady The Barber kneeled all this while and could with much adoe dissemble his laughter or keep on his Beard that threatned still to fall off with whose fall perhaps they should all have remained without bringing their good purpose to passe And seeing the boon was granted and noted the dilligence wherewithall Don-Quixote made himself ready to depart and accomplish the same hee arose and took his Ladie by the hand and both of them together holp her upon her Mule and presently after Don-Quixote leaped on Rozinante and the Barber got on his Beast Sancho only remaining a foot where he afresh renewed the memory of the losse of his gray Asse with the want procured to him thereby But all this hee bore with very great patience because hee supposed that his Lord was now in the way and next degree to bee an Emperour for he made an infallible account that hee would marry that Princesse and at least bee King of Micomicon But yet it grieved him to think how that Kingdome was in the Country of black Moors and that therefore the Nation which should bee given to him for his Vassals should be all black For which difficultie his imagination coyned presently a good remedie and hee discoursed with himself in this manner Why should I care though my Subjects be all black Moors is there any more to be done then to load them in a Ship and bring them into Spain where I may sell them and receive the price of them in ready mony and with that money may I buy some Title or Office wherein I may after live at mine ease all the dayes of my life No! but sleep and have no wit nor abilitie to dispose of things and to sell thirty or ten thousand Vassals in the space that one would say give me those straws I will dispatch them all they shall â—lie the little with the great or as I can best contrive the matter And bee they ever so black I will transform them into white or yellow ones come neer and see whether I cannot suck well my fingers ends And thus hee travailed so solicitous and glad as hee quite forgot his pain of travailing a foot Cardenio and the Curate stood in the mean timebeholding all that passed from behinde some Brambles where they lay luâ—king and were in doubt what means to use to issue and joyn in company with them But the Curate who was an ingenious and prompt plotter devised instantly what was to bee done that they might attain their desire Thus hee took out of his case a pair of Shears and cut off Cardenio's Beard therewithall in a trice and then gave unto him to wear a riding Capouch which hee himself had on and a black Cloak and himself walked in a Doublet and Hose Cardenio thus attired looked so unlik that he was before as he would not have known himself in a Looking-glasse This being finished and the others gone on before whilest they disguised themselves they sallied out with facilitie to the high way before Don-Quixote or his company for the Rocks and many other bad passages did not permit those that were a horse-back to make so speedie an end of their Journey as they and having thorowly past the Mountain they expected at the foot â—hereof for the Knight and his company who when he appeared the Curate looked on him very earnestly for a great space with inkling that he began to know him And after hee had a good while beheld him hee ran towards him with his armes spread abroad saying In a good houre bee the mirrour of all Knighthood found and my noble country man Don-Quixote of the Mancha the flower and cream of Gentility the shadow and remedie of the afflicted and the Quintescence of Knights Errantâ— and saying this he held Don-Quixote his left thigh embraced Who admiring at that which hee heard that man to say and doe did also review him with attention and finally knew him and all amazed to see him made much adoe to alight but the Curate would not permit him wherefore Don-Quixote said Good Master Licentiat permit me to alight for it is in no sort decent that I bee a horse-back and so reverend a person as you goe on foot I
the Commissary and the guard hee freed them all And questionlesse hee either was wood or else as great a knave as themselves or some one that wanted both Soule and Conscience seeing hee let slip the Wolves amidst the Sheepe the Foxe among the Hens and Files hard by Honey and did frustrate Justice rebell against his naturall Lord and King for hee did so by oppugning his just commandements and hath deprived the Gallies of their feet and set all the Holy brotherhood in an uproare which hath reposed these many yeeres past And finally would doe an Act by which hee should lose his Soule and yet not gaine his Bodie Sancho had rehearsed to the Curate and Barbar the Adventure of the Slaves which his Lord had accomplished with such glorie and therefore the Curate did use this vehemencie as hee repeated it to see what Don-Quixote would say or doe whose colour changed at every word and durst not confesse that hee was himselfe the deliverer of that good People and these quoth the Curate were they that have robbed us And God of his infinite Mercy pardon him who hindred their going to receive the punishment they had so well deserved CHAP. III. Of many pleasant Discourses passed betweene Don-Quixote and those of his Companie after hee had abandoned the rigorous place of his Penance SCARCE had the Curate finished his speech throughly when Sancho said By my faith Master Licentiate hee that did that feate was my Lord and that not for want of warning for I told him beforehand and advised him that hee should see well what hee did and that it was a sinne to deliver them because they were all sent to the Gallies for very great Villanies they had played You Bottlehead replyed Don-Quixote hearing him speak it concerneth not Knights Errant to examine whether the afflicted the inchained and oppressed which they encounter by the way bee carried in that fashion or are plunged in that distresse through their owne default or disgrace but only are oblieged to assist them as needâ—e and oppressed setting their eyes upon their paines and not on their crimes I met with a Rosarie or beades of inserted People sorrowfull and unfortunate and I did for them that which my Religion exacts as for the rest let them verifie it elsewhere and to whosoever else the holy dignitie and honourable Person of Master Licentiat excepted it shall seeme evill I say hee knowes but sleightly what belongs to Chivalry and hee lies like a Whores-son and a Villain borne and this will I make him know with the broad side of my Sword These words hee said setling himselfe in his Stirrops and addressing his Murrion for the Barbers-Bason which hee accounted to bee Mambrinâ—es Helmet hee carried hanging at the pummell of his saddle untill hee might have it repayred of the crazings the Gally-slave had wrought in it Dorotea who was very discreete and pleasant and that was by this well acquainted with Don-Quixotes faultie humor and saw all the rest make a jest of him Sancho Panca excepted would also shew her conceit to bee as good as some others and therefore said unto him Sir Knight remember you selfe of the Boone you have promised unto mee whereunto conforming your selfe you cannot intermeddle in any other Adventure bee it ever so urgent Therefore asswage your stomack for if Master Licentiate had knowne that the Gally-slaves were delivered by your invincible Arme hee would rather have given unto himselfe three blowes on the mouth and also bit his tongue thrice then have spoken any word whence might result your indignation That I dare sweare quoth the Curate yea and besides torn away one of my Mustachoes Maddame said Don-Quixote I will hold my peace and suppresse the just Choler already inkindled in my brest and will ride quietly and peaceably untill I have accomplished the thing I have promised and I request you in recompence of this my good desire if it bee not displeasing to you to tell mee your grievance and how many which and what the Persons bee of whom I must take due sufficient and entyre revenge I will promptly performe your Will herein answered Dorotea if it will not bee irksome to you to listen to disasters In no sort good Maddam said Don-Quixote To which Dorotea answered thus Bee then attentive to my Relation Scarce had shee said so when Cardenio and the Barbar came by her side desirous to heare how the discreete Dorotea would faine her tale and the same did Sancho which was as much deceived in her person as his Lord Don-Quixote and shee after dressing her selfe well in the Saddle bethought and provided her selfe whil'st she coughed and used other gestures and then began to speak on this manner First of all good Sirs I would have you note that I am called And here shee stood uspended a while by reason shee had forgotten the name that the Curate had given unto her but hee presently occur'd to her succour understanding the cause and said it is no wonder great Lady that you bee troubled and stagger whil'st you recount your misfortunes seeing it is the ordinary custome of Disasters to deprive those whom they torment and distract their memorie in such sort as they cannot remember themselves even of their owne very names as now it proves done in your Highnesse which forgets it selfe that you are called the Princesse Micomicona lawfull inheretrix of the great Kingdome of Micomicon And with this Note you may easily reduce into your dolefull Memory all that which you shall please to rehearse It is very true quoth the Damzell and from henceforth I thinke it will not bee needfull to prompt mee any more for I will arive into a safe Port with the Narration of my authentique History which is that my father who was called the wise Imacrio was very expert in that which was called art Magick and hee knew by his Science that my Mother who was called Queene Xaramilla should die before hee deceased and that hee should also passe from this life within a while after and leave mee an Orphan but hee was wont to say how that did not afflict his minde so much as that hee was very certaine that a huge Giant Lord of a great Island neere unto my Kingdome called Pandafilando of the duskie sight because although his Eyes stood in their right places yet doe they still looke a squint which hee doth to terrifie the beholders I say that my Father knew that this Giant when hee should heare of his death would passe with a maine power into my Land and deprive mee thereof not leaving mee the least Village wherein I might hide my head Yet might all this bee excused it I would marry with him but as hee found out by his Science hee knew I would never condiscend thereunto or incline mine affection to so unequall a Marriage And herein hee said nothing but truth for it never past once my thought to espouse that Giant nor with any other
word rather then my will on the one side I am assaulted and urged by a desire to goe and see my Ladie on the other my promised faith and the glory I shall winne in this enterprize doe incite and call me away But that which I resolve to doe is to travaill with all speed that I may quickly arive to the place where that Giant is and will cut off his head at my coming and when I have peaceably installed the Princesse in her Kingdome will presently return to see the light that doth lighten my senses to whom I will yield such forcible reasons of my so long absence as she shall easily condescend to excuse my stay seeing all doth redound to her glory and fame For all that I have gained doe win or shall hereafter atchieve by force of Armes in this life proceeds wholy from the gracious favour she pleaseth to bestow upon me and my being hers O God! quoth Sancho I perceive that you are greatly diseased in the pate I pray you Sir tell me whether you mean to goe this long voyage for nought and let slip and lose so rich and so noble a preferment as this where the dowrie is a Kingdome which is in good faith as I have heard say twenty thousand leagues in compasse and most plentifully stored with all things necessary for the susteining of humane life and that it is greater then Portugall and Castile joyned together Peace for Gods love and blush at your owne words and take my councell and marry presently in the first village that hath a Parish-Priest and if you will not doe it there can you wish a better commoditie then to have our own Master Licentiat who will doe it most excellently And note that I am old enough to give counsaile and that this which I now deliver is as fit for you as if it were expresly cast for you in a mould For a Sparrow in the fist is worth more then a flying Bittor For hee that can have good and evill doth choose For ill that betides him must not Patience loose Why Sancho quoth Don-Quixote if thou givest mee councell to marry to the end I may become a King after I have slaine the Giant and have commoditie thereby to promote thee and give thee what I have promised I let thee to understand that I may doe all that most easily without marrying my selfe For before I enter into the battel I will make this condition that when I come away victor although I marry not the Princesse yet shall a part of the Kingdome bee at my disposition to bestow upon whom I please and when I receive it upon whom wouldst thou have me bestowe it but on thy selfe That is manifest said Sancho but I pray you Sir have care to choose that part you would reserve towards the Sea side to the end that if the living doe not please me I may imbarque my black vassails and make the benefit of them which I have said And likewise I pray you not to trouble your mind thinking to goe and see my Lady Dulcinea at this time but travaile towards the place where the Gyant is and kill him and conclude that businesse first for I sweare unto you that I am of opinion it will prove an Adventure of very great honor and profit I assure thee Sancho quoth Don-Quixote thou art in the â—ight and I will follow thy counsaile in rather going first with the Princesse then to visit Dulcinea And I warne thee not to speake a word to any body no not to those that ride with us of that which wee have here spoken and discoursed together for since Dulcineae is so warie and secret as shee would not have her thoughts discovered it is no reason that I eyther by my self or any other should detect them If that bee so quoth Sancho why then doe you send all those which you vanquish by virtue of your arme to present themselves to my Lady Dulcinea seeing this is as good as subsignation of your hands-writing that you wish her well and are enamoured on her And seeing that those which goe to her must forcibly lay them down on their knees before her presence and say that they come from you to doe her homage how then can the thoughts of you both bee hidden and concealed O! how great a foole art thou and how simple quoth Don-Quixote Dost not thou perceive Sancho how all this results to her greater glory For thou oughtest to wit that in our Knightly proceedings it is great honour that one Lady alone have many Knights Errant for her Servitors without extending their thoughts any farther then to serve her only for her high worths without attending any other reward of their many and good desires then that shee will deigne to accept them as her Servants and Knights I have heard preach said Sancho that men should love our Saviour with that kinde of love only for his owne sake without beeing mooved thereunto eyther by the hope of Glory or the feare of Payne although for my part I would love and serve him for what hee is able to doe The Devill take thee for a Clowne quoth Don-Quixote how sharpe and pertinently doest thou speake now and then able to make a man imagine that thou hast studied Now by mine honesty quoth Sancho I can neither reade nor write Master Nicholas perceiving them drowned thus in their Discourses cryed out to them to stay and drinke of a little Fountaine that was by the way Don-Quixote rested to Sanchoes very great contentment who was already tyred with telling him so many lies and was afraid his Master would intrap him in his owne words For although hee knew Dulcinea to bee of Toboso yet had hee never seene her in his life And Cardenio had by this time put on the apparell Doroten wore when they found her in the Mountaines which though they were not very good yet exceeded with great advantage those which hee had himselfe before And alighting hard by the Fountaine they satisfied with the provision the Curate had brought with him from the Inne although it were but little the great hunger that pressed them And whilest they tooke their ease there a certaine young stripling that travelled passed by who looking very earnestly on all those which sate about the Fountaine hee ranne presently after to Don-Quixote and imbracing his Legs hee said weeping downright O my Lord doe not you know mee Looke well upon mee for I am the youth Andrew whom you unloosed from the Oake whereunto I was tyed Don-Quixote presently knew him and taking him by the hands hee turned to those that were present and said Because you may see of how great importance it is that there bee Knights Errant in the World to undoe wrongs and injuries that are committed in it by the insolent and bad men which live therein you shall wit that a few daies past as I rode through a Wood I heard certaine lamentable screetches and cries
most terrible battails that ever mine eyes have seen I swear that hee hath given such a blow to the Giant my Lady the Princesse Micomicona her enemie as hee hath cut his head quite off as round as a Turnep What sayest thou friend quoth the Curate leaving off at that word to prosecute the reading of his novell art thou in thy wits Sancho What a Divill man how can that bee seeing the Giant dwels at least two thousand leagues from hence By this they heard a marvellous great noyse within the Chamber and that Don-Quixote cried out aloud Stay false Thiefe Robber stay for since thou art here thy Semiter shall but little availe thee and therewithall it seemed that hee struck a number of mighty blows on the walls And Sancho said There is no need tostand thus listening abroad but rather that you goe in and part the fray or else assist my Lord although I think it bee not very necessary for the Gyant is questionlesse dead by this and giving account for the ill life hee led For I saw his blood runne all about the house and his head cut off which is as great as a great Wine-bagge I am content to bee hewn in pieces quoth the Inn-keeper hearing of this if Don-Quixote or Don-Divell have not given some blow to one of the Wine-baggs that stood filled at his Beds-head and the shed Wine must needs bee that which seems blood to this good man And saying so hee entred into the Room and all the rest followed him where they found Don-Quixote in the strangest guise that may bee imagined Hee was in his Shirt the which was not long enough before to cover his Thighs and it was six fingers shorter behinde His Leggs were very long and lean full of hair and horrible dirty Hee wore on his Head a little red but very greazie night Cap which belonged to the Inn-keeper Hee had wreathed on his left Arme the Coverlet of his Bead on which Sancho looked very often and angerly as one that knew well the cause of his own malice to it and in his right hand hee griped his naked Sword wherewithall hee laid round about him many a thwack and withall spake as if hee were in battail with some Gyant And the best of all was that hee held not his eyes open for hee was indeed asleep and dreaming that he was in fight with the Gyant For the imagination of the Adventure which hee had undertaken to finish was so bent upon it as it made him to dream that hee was already arived at the kingdom of Micomicon and that he was then in combat with his enemy and he had given so many blowes on the wine bags supposing them to be Giants as all the whol chamber flowed with wine Which being perceived by the Host all inflamed with rage hee set upon Don-Quixote with drie sists and gave unto him so many blowes that if Cardenio and the Curate had not taken him away he would doubtlesly have finished the war of the Gyant and yet with all this did not the poor Knight awake untill the Barber brought in a great kettle full of cold water from the Well and threw it all at a clap upon him and therewithall Don-Quixote awaked but not in such sort as he perceived the manner wherein he was Dorotea seeing how short and how thin her Champion was arayed would not goe in to see the conflict of her combatant and his Adversarie Sancho went up and downe the floore searching for the Gyants head and seeing that hee could not finde it hee said Now I doe see very well that all the things of this house are inchantments for the last time that I was here in this very same roome I got many blowes and buffets and knew not who did strike mee nor could I see any body and now the head appeares not which I saw cut off with mine owne eyes and yet the blood ran as swiftly from the body as water would from a Fountaine What blood or what Fountaine doest thou tattle of here thou enemy of God and his Saints quoth the In-keeper thou Theefe dost not thou see that the blood and the fountaine is no other thing then these wine-bags which are slashed here and the wine red that swims up and down this Chamber and I wish that I may see his Soule swimming in hell which did bore them I know nothing replyed Sancho but this that if I cannot find the Giants head I shall become so unfortunate as mine Earledome will dissolve like Salt cast into water And certes Sancho awake was in worse case then his Master sleeping so much had his Lords promises distracted him The In-keeper on the other side was at his wits end to see the humor of the Squire and unhappinesse of his Lord and swore that it should not succeede with them now as it had done the other time when they went away without payment and that now the priviledges of Chivalrie should not any whit availe him but hee should surely pay both the one and the other yea even for the very patches that were to bee set on the bored Wine-bagges The Curate held fast Don-Quixote by the hands who beleeving that hee had aâ—chieved the Adventure and was after it come into the Princesse Micomicona her presence hee laid himselfe on his knees before the Curate saying Well may your greatnesse high and famous Ladie live from henceforth secure from any danger that this unfortunate wretch may doe unto you and I am also freed from this day forward from the promise that I made unto you seeing I have by the assistance of the heavens and through her favour by whom I live and breathe so happily accomplished it Did not I say so quoth Sancho hearing of his Master yea I was not drunke see if my Master hath not powdred the Gyant by this the matter is questionlesse and the Earledome is mine owne Who would not laugh at these raving fits of the Master and man all of them laughed save the In-keeper who gave himself for anger to the Devill more then a hundred times And the Barber Cardenio and the Curate got Don-Quixote to bed againe not without much adoe who presently fell a sleepe with tokens of marveilous wearinesse They left him sleeping and went out to comfort Sancho Panca for the griefe hee had because he could not finde the Giants head but yet had more adoe to pacifie the In-keeper who was almost out of his wits for the unexpected and suddaine death of his wine-bags The Oastâ—sse on the other side went up and down whining and saying in an ill season and an unlucky houre did this Knight errant enter into my house alas and I would that mine eyes had never seene him seeing hee costs mee so deere The last time that hee was here hee went away scot-free for his Supper Bed Straw and Barley both for himselfe and his man hâ—s Horse and his Asse saying that hee was a Knight Adventurous and
them to succour us and prayed them that they would take us into their vessell for wee were a drowning Then they came amaine and casting out their Cock-boate there entred into it as good as a doozen Frenchmen well appointed with their Harcabuzes and Matches lighted and so approached unto us and perceiving how few wee were and that the Barke did sinke they received us into their boate saying that because wee had used the discourtesie of not making them answer that mis-fortune had befalne us Our Runnagate about this time tooke the coffer wherein Zoraida's treasures were kept and threw it into the Sea unperceived of any In conclusion wee went all of us into the great vessell with the Frenchmen who after they had informed themselves of all that which they desired to know as if they were our Capitall Enemies they afterward dispoyâ—ed us of all that ever wee had about us and of Zoraida they tooke all even unto her very bracelets that shee wore on the wrests of her feete But the wrong they did to Zoraida did not afflict me so much as the feare I conceived that after they had taken away from her her most rich and precious Jewels they would also deprive her of the Jewell of most prize and which shee valued most But the desires of that nation extend themselves no farther then to the gaine of money and their avarice in this is never thorowly satisfied and at that time was so great as they would have taken from us the very habits of slaves that wee brough from Barbarie if they had found them to have beene worth any thing and some there were of opinion among them that we should bee all inwreathed in a Saile and throwne into the Sea because they had intention to traffique into some havens of Spaine under the name of Britaines and that if they carried us alive they should bee punished their robbery being detected but the Captaine who was hee that had pilled my beloved Zoraida said that hee was so contented with his bootie as he meaned not to touch any part of Spaine but would pasâ—e the streights of Gibraltar by night or as hee might and so returne againe to Rochel from whence hee was come and thereupon they all agreed to give us their Cock-boate and all that was necesâ—ary for our short voyage as indeede they performed the day ensuing when wee were in the view of Spaine with the sight whereof all our griefes and poverties were as quite forgotten as if wee never had felt any so great is the delight a man takes to recover his Liberty It was about mid-day when they put us into the Cocke giving unto us two Barrells of water and some Bisket and the Captaine moved with some compassion as the beautifull Zoraida embarked her selfe bestowed on her about forty Crownes in gold nor would hee permit his Souldiers to dispoyle her of these very Garments which then and now shee doth weare Wee entred into the Cock-boate and giving them thanks for the good they did and shewing at our departure more tokens of thankfullnesse then of discontent they sayled presently away from us towards the Straights and wee without looking on any other North or Starre then the land it selfe which appeared before us did row towards it so lustily that at Sun-set wee were so neere as wee made full account to arive before the night were far spent But by reason that the Moone did not shine and the night was very darke and that wee knew not where wee were wee did not hold it the best course to approach the shoare too neere yet others there were that thought it convenient and good desiring that wee should make to it although wee ranne the boate on the Rocks and far from any dwelling for by doing so wee should free our selves from the feare which wee ought of reason to have lest there should bee up and downe on that coast any Friggots of the Pyrates of Tituan which are wont to leave Barbarie over-night and bee on the coast of Spayne ere morning and ordinarily make their bootie and turne to their supper againe to Barbarie the night following but of the contrary opinions that which was followed was that wee should draw neere the land by little and little and that if the quietness of the Sea would permit it we should take land where we might best and most commodiously do it This was done and a little before midnight wee arived to the foote of a high and monstrous Mountaine which was not altogether so neer to the Sea but that it did grant a little patch of ground whereon wee might commodiously disimbarke Wherefore wee ranne our selves on the Sands and came all a-Land and kissed the Earth and with teeres of most joyfull content and delight gave thanks unto our Lord God for the incomparable favours which hee had done us in our Voyage Then tooke wee out our Victualls from the Boate and drew it selfe up on the Shore and ascended a great part of the Mountaine for although wee were in that place yet durst wee not assure our selves nor did throughly beleeve that it was a Christian Countrey whereon wee did tread The day breaking some what slower then I could have wished it wee ascended the mountaine wholly to see whether wee might discover any dwelling or sheepfolds from thence but although wee extended our sight unto every quarter yet could wee neither descry dwelling person path nor high-way yet did wee resolve notwithstanding to enter into the land seeing that wee could not choose but discover ere long some body who might give us notice of the place where wee were and that which afflicted mee most of all was to see Zoraida goe afoot thorow those rugged places for although I did somtimes carry her on my shoulders yet did the toyle I tooke more weary her then the repose shee got could ease her and therefore would never after the first time suffer mee to take that paines againe and so shee went ever after a foote with great patience and tokens of joy I holding her still by the hand and having travelled little lesse then a quarter of a league we heard the noyse of a little bell an infallible argument that neere at hand there was some cattle whereupon all of us looking very wistly to see whether any body appeared wee might perceive under a Corke-tree a young Sheepheard who very quietly and carelesly was carving of a stick with a knife Wee called to him and hee leaped up lightly on foote and as we afterwards learned the first that hee got sight of were the Runnagate and Zoraida whom hee seeing apparelled in the Morisco habit thought that all the people of Barbarie had beene at his heeles and therefore running very swiftly into the Wood hee cried all along with marvelous lowdnesse Moores Moores are in the Land Moores Moores arme arme These outcries strooke us anew into a great perplexitie and scarce did wee know what wee should doe but considering how
his sense Don-Quixote answered that hee did willingly pardon him And therefore the Curate went for Sancho who returned very humbly and kneeling down on his knees demanded his Lords hand which hee gave unto him and after that hee had permited him to kisse it hee gave him his blissing saying Now thou shalt finally know Sancho that which I have told thee divers times how that all the things of this Castle are made by way of inchantment So doe I verily believe said Sancho except that of the canvassing in the Blanket which really succeeded by an ordinary and naturall way Doe not believe that said Don-Quixote for if it were so I would both then and also now have taken a dire revenge but neither then nor now could I ever see any on whom I might revenge that thine injurie All of them desired greatly to know what that accident of the Blanket was And then the Inn-keeper recounted it point by point the flights that Sancho Panca made whereat they all did laugh not a little and Sancho would have been ashamed no lesse if his Lord had not anew perswaded him that it was a meer inchantment And yet Sancho's madnesse was never so great as to beleeve that it was not a reall truth verily befaln him without any colour or mixture of fraud or illusion but that hee was tossed by persons of Flesh Blood and Bone and not by dreamed and imagined shadows or Spirits as his Lord beleeved and so constantly affirmed Two dayes were now expired when all that Noble companie had sojourned in the Inn and then it seeming unto them high time to depart They devised how without putting Dorotea and Don Fernando to the pains to turn back with Don-Quixote to his Village under pretence of restoring the Queen Micomicona the Curate and Barber might carry him back as they desired and indevour to have him cured of his folly in his own house And their invention was this They agreed with one who by chance passed by that way with a Teame of Oxen to carry him in this order following They made a thing like a Cage of Timber so big as that Don-Quixote might sit or lie in it at his ease and presently after Don Fernando and his fellows with Don Lewis his Servants the Troupers and the Inn-keeper did all of them by Master Curates direction cover their faces and disguise themselves every one as hee might best so that they might seem to Don-Quixote other people then such as hee had seen in the Castle And this being done they entred with very great silence into the place where hee slept and took his rest after the related conflicts And approaching him who slept securely not fearing any such accident and laying hold on him very strongly they tyed his hands and his feet very strongly so that when hee started out of his sleep hee could not stir himself nor doe any other thing then admire and wonder at those strange shapes that he saw standing before him and presently hee fell into the conceit which his continuall and distracted imagination had already suggested unto him beleeving that all those strange figures were the Spirits and shadows of that inchanted Castle and that hee himself was now without doubt inchanted seeing hee could neither move nor defend himself All this succeeded just as the Curate who plotted the jest made full account it would Only Sancho among all those that were present was in his right sense and shape and although hee wanted but little to bee sick of his Lords disease yet for all that hee knew all those counterfeit Ghosts but hee would not once unfold his lips untill hee might see the end of that surprizall and imprisonment of his Master who likewise spoke never a word but only looked to see what would bee the period of his disgrace Which was that bringing him to the Cage they shut him within and afterwards nailed the Barrs thereof so well as they could not bee easily broken They presently mounted him upon their shoulders and as hee issued out at the chamber door they heard as dreadfull a voyce as the Barber could devise not hee of the Pannellâ— but the other which said O Knight of the sad-Countenance bee not grieved at the imprisonment whereinto thou art led for so it must bee that thereby the Adventure into which thy great Force and Valour have thrust thee may bee the more spedily ended and ended it will bee when the furious Manchegall-Lyon and the white Tobosian-Dove shall bee united in one and after they have humbled their lofty Crest unto the soft Yoake of Wedlock from whose wonderfull consort shall issue to the light of the Orbe fierce Whelps which shall imitate the raunching paws of their valourous Father And this shall bee before the pursuer of the fugitive Nymph doe with his swift and naturall course make two turns in visitation of the glistring Images And thou O the most noble and obedient Squire that ever had Sword at a Gyrdle Beard on a Face or Dent in a Nose let it not dismay or discontent thee to see carried away before thy eyes the flowre of all Chivalrie Errant For very speedily if it please the framer of the World thou shalt see thy self so exalted and ennobled as thou shalt scarce know thy self Nor shalt thou bee defrauded of the promises made unto thee by thy noble Lord And I doe assure thee from the wise Mentironiana that thy wages shall bee payed thee as thou shalt quickly see in effect And therefore follow the steps of the valorous and inchanted Knight for it is necessary that thou goe to the place where you both shall stay And because I am not permitted to say more farewell for I doe return I well know whither Towards the end of this Prophecie hee lifted up his voyce and afterwards lessened it with so slender an accent that even those which were acquainted with the jest almost believed what they had heard Don-Quixote was very much comforted by the Prophecie for hee presently apprehended the whole sense thereof and perceived how hee was promised in marriage his beloved Dulcinea of Toboso from whose happy womb should salley the whelps which were his Sonnes to the eternall glory of the Mancha And believing all this most firmly hee elevated his voyce and breathing forth a great sigh thus said O thou whatsoever thou beest which hast prognosticated so great good to me I desire thee to request in my name the Wise man who hath charge to record mine acts that hee permit me not to perish in this Prison to which they now doe carrie me before the accomplishment of so joyfull and incomparable promises as now have been made unto me For so that this may befall I will account the pains of my Prison a Glory and the Chains that inviron me an ease and will not esteem this Bed whereon I am laid a hard Field of Battell but a soft Tick and a most fortunate Lodging And as concerning the
such toyes as these that I have within me and shall be declared at fit time to Sancho's profit and the Islands which he shall govern To this point of their discourse came the Duke Duchesse and Don-Quixote when straight they heard a great noyse of people in the Palace and Sancho came into the Hall unlook'd for in a maze with a strayner in stead of a Bib and after him many Lads or Scullions of the Kitchin and other inferior people and one came with a little kneading-tub of water that seemed to be dish-water who followed and persecuted Sancho and sought by all means to joyn the vessel to his chin and another would have washed him What 's the matter Hoe quoth the Duchesse What doe yee to this honest man What doe yee not know hee is Governor Elect To which the Barber-Scullion replyed This Gentleman will not suffer himself to bee washed according to the custome as my Lord the Duke and his Master were Yes marry will I said Sancho in a great huffe but I would have cleaner Towels and clearer Sudds and not so sluttish hands for there is no such difference between my Master and mee that they should wash him with Rose-water and me with the Devills lye The customes of great mens Palaces are so much the better by how little trouble they cause but your Lavatory custome here is worse then Penetentiaries my beard is clean and I need no such refreshing and hee that comes to wash me or touch a hair of my head of my beard I say sir-reverence of the companie I 'le give him such a box that I 'le set my fist in his skull for these kinde of ceremonies and soap-layings are rather flouts then entertainers of guests The Duchesse was ready to die with laughter to see Sancho's choller and to heare his reasons But Don-Quixote was not very well pleased to see him so ill dressed with his jaspered Towell and hemmed in by so many of the Kitchin Pensioners so making a low leg to the Dukes as if hee intended to speake with a grave voyce hee spoke to the skoundrels Hark yee Gentlemen Pray let the youth alone and get you gone as you came if you please for my Squire is as cleanly as another and these Troughs are as straight and close for him as your little red clay drinking Cups take my counsail and leave him for neither hee nor I can abide jests Sancho caught his words out of his mouth and went on saying No let um come to make sport with the setting Dogg and I 'le let um alone as sure as it is now night let um bring a Comb hither or what they will and curry my Beard and if they finde any thing foul in it let um shear me to fitters Then quoth the Duchesse unable to leave laughing Sancho sayes well hee is clean as hee sayes and needs no washing and if our custome please him not let him take his choyce besides you ministers of cleanlinesse have been very slack and carelesse I know not whether I may say presumtuous to bring to such a personage and such a beard instead of a Bason and Ewre of pure gold and Diaper Towels your kneeding-Troughs and Dish-clouts but you are unmannerly raskalls and like wicked wretches must needs shew the grude you bear to the Squires of Knights Errant The Raskall Regiment together with the Carver that came with them thought verily the Duchesse was in earnest So they took the Sive-cloth from Sancho's neck and even ashamed went their wayes and left him who seeing himself out of that as hee thought great danger kneeled before the Duchesse saying From great Ladies great favours are still expected this that your worship hath now done me cannot be recompenced with lesse then to desire to see my self an Armed Knight Errant to imploy my self all dayes of my life in the service of so high a Lady I am a poor Husbandman my name is Sancho Panca Children I have and serve as a Squire if in any of these I may serve your Greatnesse I will bee swifter in obeying then your Ladyship in commanding 'T is well seen Sancho quoth the Duchesse that you have learnt to bee courteous in the very school of courtesie I mean it seems well that you have been nursed at Don-Quixotes brest who is the cream of Complement and the flower of Ceremonies well fare such a Master and such a Servant the one for North-starre of Knight Errantry the other for the starre of Squire-like fidelitie Rise friend Sancho for I will repay your courtesie in making my Lord the Duke as soon as hee can performe the promise hee hath made you of being Governor of the Island With this their discourse ceased and Don-Quixote went to his afternoons sleep and the Duchesse desired Sancho that if hee were not very sleepie hee would passe the afternoon with her and her Damzels in a cool room Sancho answered That though true it were that hee was used in the afternoons to take a some five hours nap yet to doe her goodnesse service hee would doe what hee could not to take any that day and would obey her command so hee parted The Duke gave fresh order for Don-Quixotes usage to bee like a Knight Errant without differing a jot from the ancient stile of those Knights CHAP. XXXIII Of the wholesome discourse that passed betwixt the Duchesse and her Damzells with Sancho Panca worthy to bee read and noted WEll the Storie tells us that Sancho slept not that day but according to his promise came when hee had dined to see the Duchesse who for the delight shee received to heare him made him sit down by her in a low Chaire though Sancho out of pure mannerlinesse would not sit but the Duchesse bade him sit as hee was Governour and speak as hee was Squire though in both respects hee deserved the very seat of Cyd Ruydiaz the Champion Sancho shrunk up his shoulders The Spainiards lowsie humility obeyed and sate down and all the Duchesses Waiting-women and Damzels stood round about her attending with great silence to Sancho's discourse but the Duchesse spake first saying Now that wee are all alone and that no body hears us I would Signior Governor would resolve me of certain doubts I have arising from the printed History of the Grand Don-Quixote one of which is That since honest Sancho never saw Dulcinea I say the Lady Dulcinea del Toboso neither carried her Don-Quixotes Letter for it remained in the Note-Book in Sierra Morena how hee durst feign the answer and that hee found her sifting of Wheat this being a mock and a lye and so prejudiciall to the Lady Dulcinea's reputation and so unbefitting the condition and fidelity of a faithfull Squire Here Sancho rose without answering a word and softly crooking his body and with his finger upon his lipps hee went up and down the room lifting up the hangings which done hee came and sate down again and said Now I see Madame that
and I le snuff them apace The Steward was as good as his word holding it to bee a matter of conscience to starve so discreet a Governour Besides his purpose was to make an end with him that night performing the last jest which hee had in Commission towards him It hapned then that having eaten contrary to the prescriptions and orders of the Doctor Tirte fuera when the cloth was taken away there came in a Poste with a Letter of Don-Quixotes to the Governour Sancho commanded the Secretary to read it to himself and that if there came no secret in it hee should read it aloud The Secretary did so and sodainly running it over said It may well bee read out for this that Don-Quixote writes to you deserves to bee stamped and written in golden Letters and thus it is Don-Quixotes Letter to Sancho Pança Governour of the Island Barataria WHen I thought friend Sancho to have heard news of thy negligence and folly I heard it of thy discretion for which I gave to God particular thanks I hear thou Governest as if thou wert a man and that thou art a man as if thou wert a beast such is thy humility thou usest yet let me note unto thee That it is very necessary and convenient many times for the Authority of a place to goe against the humility of the heart for the adornment of the person that is in eminent Offices must be according to their greatnesse and not according to the measure of the meek condition to which hee is inclined Goe well clad for a stake well dressed seems not to bee so I say not to thee that thou weare toyes or gawdy gay things not that being a Iudge thou goe like a Souldier but that thou adorn thy self with such a habit as thy place requires so that it bee handsome and neat To get the good will of those thou Governest amongst others thou must doe two things the one to bee courteous to all which I have already told thee of and the other to see that there bee plenty of sustenance for there is nothing that doth more weary the hearts of the poor then hunger and dearth Make not many Statute Laws and those thou doest make see they bee good but chiefly that they be observed and kept for Statutes not kept are the same as if they were not made and doth rather shew that the Prince had Wisedome and Authority to make them then valour to see that they should bee kept And Laws that only threaten and are not executed become like the beam King of Frogs that at first scarred them but in time they despised and gat up on the top of it Bee a Father of Virtue but a Father-in-law of Vice Bee not alwaies cruell nor alwaies mercifull choose a mean betwixt these two extreams for this is a point of discretion Visit the Prisons the Shambles and the Markets for in such places the Governours presence is of much importance Comfort the Prisoners that hope to be quickly dispatcht Be a Bull-begger to the Butchers and a scar-Crow to the Hucksterwomen for the same reason Shew not thy selfe though perhaps thou art which yet I beleeve not Covetous or a Whore-monger or a Glutton for when the Town and those that converse with thee know which way thou art inclined there they will set upon thee till they cast thee down head-long View and re-view passe and re-passe thine eyes over the Instructions I gave thee in writing before thou wentest from hence to thy Government and thou shalt see how thou findest in them if thou observe them an allowance to help thee to bear and passe over the troubles that are incident to Governours Write to my Lords and shew thy self thankfull for Ingratitude is the Daughter of Pride and one of the greatest sins that is and hee that is thankfull to those that have done him good gives a testimony that he will be so to God too that hath done him so much good and dayly doth continue it My Lady Duchesse dispatcht a Messenger a purpose with thy apparel and another present to thy Wife Teresa Pança every minute we expect an answer I have been somewhat ill at ease of late with a certain Cat businesse that hapned to me not very good for my nose but 't was nothing for if there be Enchanters that misuse me others there be that defend me Let me know if the Steward that is with thee had any hand in Trifaldi's actions as thou suspectedst and let me hear likewise of all that befalls thee since the way is so short besides I think to leave this idle life e're long for I was not born to it Here is a business at present that I beleeve will bring me in disgrace with these Nobles but though it much concern me I care not for indeed I had rather comply with my Profession then with their wills according to the saying Amicus Plato sed magis amica veritas I write thee this Latine because I think since thy being Governour thou hast learnt to understand it And so farewell God keep thee and send that no man pittie thee Thy Friend Don-Quixote de la Mancha Sancho heard the letter very attentively and those that heard it applauded it for a very discreet one and presently Sancho rose from the Table and calling the Secretary lockt him to him in his lodging Chamber and without more delay meant to answer his Master Don-Quixote and therefore hee bade the Secretarle without adding or diminishing ought to write what he would have him which hee did and the Letter in answer was of this ensuing tenour Sancho Pança's Letter to Don-Quixote de la Mancha My businesse and imployments are so great that I have not leisure either to scratch my head or pare my nails which is the reason they are so long God help me This I say dear Signior mine that you may not wonder if hitherto I have not given you notice of my well or ill being at this Governmeut in which I am now more hungry then when you and I travelled in the Woods and Wilderness My Lord the Duke wrote me the other day by way of advice that there were certain Spies entred the Island to kill me but hitherto I have discovered none but a certain Doctor who is entertained in this Town to kill as many Governours as come to it and his name is Doctor Pedro Rezio born in Tirte a fuera that you may see what a name this is for me to fear lest hee kill me This aforesaid Doctor sayes of himself that hee cures not infirmities when they are in present being but prevents them before they come and the Medicines he useth are dyet upon dyet till he makes a man nothing but bare bones as if leannesse were not a greater sicknesse then a Calenture Finally he hath even starved me and I am ready to dye for anger for when I thought to have comne to this Island to eate good warm things and to
gesture to Don-Quixote said Some dayes since valorous Knight I related to you the wrong and trecherie that a wicked Farmer hath done to my beloved Daughter the unfortunate one here now present and you promised me to undertake for her to right this wrong that hath been done her and now it hath come to my notice that you mean to part from this Castle in quest of your Adventures God send them and therefore my request is that before you scowre the wayes you would defie this untamed Rustick and make him marry my Daughter according to the promise he gave her before he coupled with her For to think that my Lord the Duke will doe me Justice is to seek Pears from the Elme for the reason that I have plainly told you and so God give you much health and forsake not us To these reasons Don-Quixote answered with great gravity and Prosopopeia Good Matron temper your tears and save your sighâ—s and I am firmly resolved to engage my self to right your Daughter for whom it had been much better not to have been so easie of beleeving her Lovers promises which for the most part are light in making but heavy in accomplishing and therefore with my Lord the Dukes leave I will presently part in search of this ungodly youg man and finde and challenge him and kill him if he denie to accomplish his promise For the chief ayme of my profession is to pardon the humble and to chastize the proud I mean to succour the wretched and to destroy the cruell You need not quoth the Duke be at the pains of seeking the Clown of whom the good Matron complaines neither neede you aske mee leave to defie him 't is enough that I know you have done it and let it bee my charge to give him notice that he accept the challenge and come to my Castle to answer for himself where safe lists shall bee set up for you both observing the conditions that in such acts ought to bee observed and both your Justices equally according as Princes are oblieged to doe that grant single combat to those that fight within their Dommions Why with this securitie and your Greatnesses licence quoth Don-Quixote here I say that for this once I renounce my Gentry and doe equalize my self to the meannesse of the Offendor and so qualifie him to combat with me and so though hee bee absent I challenge and defie him for that hee did ill to defraud this poor creature that was a Maid and now by his Villanie is none and that he shall either fulfill his word he gave her to marry her or die in the demand And straight plucking off his Glove he cast it into the midest of the Hall the Duke took it up saying That hee as had been said in his Vassals name accepted the challenge and appointed the prefix'd time six dayes after and the Lists to bee in the Court of that Castle and the usuall Armes of Knights as Launce and Shield and laced Armour with all other pieces without deceit advantage or superstition seen and allowed by the Judges of the Lists But first of all 't is requisite that this honest Matron and this ill Maid commit the right of their cause into Signior Don-Quixote de la Mancha's hands for otherwise there will be nothing done neither will the said challenge be put in execution I doe quoth the Matron and I too said the Daughter all blubbered and shamefac'd and in ill taking This agreement being made and the Dukes imagining what was to be done in the businesse the mourners went their wayes and the Duchesse commanded they should be used not as their Servants but like Lady-Adventurers that came to their house to ask justice and served as Strangers to the wonderment of other servants that knew not what would become of the madnesse and levity of Donna Rodriguez and her Errant Daughter Whilest they were in this businesse to add more mirth to the Feast and to end the Comedy behold where the Page comes in that carried the Letter and tokens to Teresa Panca whose arrivall much pleased the Dukes desirous to know what befell him in his voyage and asking him The Page answered that he could not tell them in publike nor in few words but that their excellencies would be pleased to reserve it for a private time and that in the mean time they would entertain themselves with those Letters and taking them out he gave two to the Duchesse the superscription of the one was To my Lady Duchesse I know not whence and the other To my Husband Sancho Pança Governour of the Island Barataria whom God prosper longer then mee The Duchesse could not be quiet till she had read her Letter so openning it and reading it to her self and seeing that shee might read it aloud she did so that the Duke and the by-standers might hear it as followeth Teresa Pança's Letter to the Duchesse LLady mine Your Greatnesses Letter you wrote me did much content mee for I did very much desire it Your string of Corals was very good and my Husbands Hunting-suit comes not short of it That your Honour hath made my Consort Governour all this Town rejoyceth at it though there is none that will beleeve it especially the Vicar Master Nicholas the Barber and Samson Carasco the Bachelor but all is one to me so it bee true as it is let each one say what he will but if you goe to the truth had it not been for the Corall and the Sute I should not have believed it neither for all in this Town hold my Husband for a very Leek and taking him from his governing a Flock of Goats they cannot imagine for what Government else hee should bee good God make him so and direct him as hee sees best for his Children have need of it I Lady of my Life am determined with your Worships good leave to make use of this good fortune in my house and to goe to the Court to stretch my self in a Coach to make a thonsand envious persons blinde that look after me And therefore I request your Excellencie to command my Husband to send me some stock of money to purpose because I hear the Court expences are great that a Loaf is worth six-pence and a pound of Mutton five-pence that 't is wonderfull and that if hee mean not that I shall goe hee let me know in time for my feet are dancing till I bee jogging upon the way for my friends and neighbours tell me that if I and my Daughter goe glistring and pompously in the Court my Husband will bee known by me more then I by him for that of necessity many will ask What Gentlewomen are these in the Coach Then a servant of mine answers The Wife and Daughter of Sancho Pança Governour of the Island Barataria and by this means Sancho shall be known and I shall be esteemed and to Rome for all A phrase used by her to no purpose but t
them I can tell better how to Plough to Digg to Prune and Plant Vineyards then to give Laws or defend Provinces and Kingdomes 't is good sleeping in a whole skin I mean 't is fit that every man should exercise the Calling to which hee was borne a Sickle is better in my hand then a Governours Scepter I had rather fill my selfe with a good dish of Gaspachos then bee subject to the misery of an impertinent Physician that would kill mee with hunger I had rather solace my selfe under the shade of an Oake in Summer and cover my selfe with a double sheepe skinne in Winter quietly then lay mee downe to the subjection of a Government in fine Holland sheetes and bee clothed in Sables fare you well Sir and tell my Lord the Duke Naked was I borne naked I am I neyther winne nor lose I meane I came without crosse to this government and I goe from it without a crosse contrary to what Governours of other Islands are used to doe Stand out of the way and let mee goe for I must seare-cloth my selfe for I beleeve all my ribs are bruised I thanke the enemy that trampled over mee all this night You shall not doe so Sir Governour quoth Doctor Rezio for I will give you a drinke good against falls and bruises that shall straight recover you and touching your diet I promise you to make amends and you shall eat plentifully of what you list 'T is too late quoth Sancho I le as soon tarry as turne Turke these jests are not good the second time you shall as soone get mee to stay here or admit of any other Government though it were presented in two platters to mee as make mee flye to heaven without wings I am of the linage of the Panca's and wee are all head-strong and if once wee cry odd odde it must bee though it be even in spite of all the world Here in this Stable let my Ants wings remaine that lifted mee up in the ayre to bee devouted by Marrlets and other birds and now let 's goe a plaine pace on the ground and though wee weare no pinked Spanish-leather shoos yet wee shall not want course pack-thread Sandals Like to like quoth the Devill to the Collier and let every man cut his measure according to his cloth and so let mee goe for it is late To which quoth the Steward With a very good will you should goe though wee shall bee very sorry to lose you for your judgement and Christian proceeding oblige us to desire your company but you know that all Governours are obliged before they depart from the place which they have governed to render first an account of their place which you ought to doe for the tenne daies you have governed and so Gods peace bee with you No man can aske any account of mee said hee but hee whom my Lord the Duke will appoint to him I goe and to him I le give a fiâ—ting account besides I going from hence so bare as I doe there can bee no greater signe that I have governed like an Angell I protest quoth Doctor Rezio the Grand Sancho hath a great deale of reason and I am of opinion that wee let him goe for the Duke will bee infinitely glad to see him So all agreed and let him goe offering first to accompany him and whatsoever hee had need of for himselfe or for the commodiousnesse of his Voyage Sancho told them hee desired nothing but a little Barley for Dapple and halfe a Cheese and a Loafe for himselfe for that by reason of the shortnesse of the way hee needed no other provision All of them embraced him and hee with teares embraced them and left them astonished as well at his discourse as his most resolute and discreet determination CHAP. LIV. That treats of matters concerening this History and no other THe Duke and Duchesse were resolved that Don-Quixote's Challenge that hee made against their Vassall for the aforesaid cause should goe forward and though the young man were in Flanders whither hee fled because hee would not have Donna Rodriguez to his Mother in Law yet they purposed to put a Gascoigne Lackey in his stead which was called Tosilos instructing him first very well in all that hee had to doe Some two daies after the Duke said to Don-Quixote that within foure daies his contrary would bee present and present himselfe in the field like an armed Knight and maintaine that the Damzell lied in her throat if shee affirmed that hee had promised her marriage Don-Quixote was much pleased with this newes and promised to himselfe to worke miracles in this businesse and hee held it to bee a speciall happinesse to him that occasion was offered wherein those Nobles might see how far the valor of his powerfull arme extended and so with great jocundnesse and content hee expected the foure daies which in the reckoning of his desire seemed to him to bee foure hundred Ages Let wee them passe as wee let passe divers other matters and come to the Grand Sancho to accompany him who betwixt mirth and mourning upon Dapple went to seeke out his Master whose company pleased him more then to bee Governour of all the Islands in the world It fell out so that hee having not gone very farre from the Island of his Government for hee never stood to averre whether it were Island Citty Village or Towne which hee governed hee saw that by the way hee went there came sixe Pilgrimes with their walking staves your strangers that use to beg almes singing who when they came neere beset him round and raising their voyces all together began to sing in their language what Sancho could not understand except it were one word which plainly signified Almes which hee perceived they begged in their song And hee as saith Cid Hamete being very charitable tooke halfe a Loafe and halfe a Cheese out of his wallet of which hee was provided and gave it them telling them by singnes hee had nothing else to give them they received it very willingly and said Guelte Guelte I understand you not what you would have good people quoth Sancho Then one of them tooke a purse out of his bosome and shewed it to Sancho whereby hee understood they asked him for money but hee putting his thumbe to his throat and his hand upward gave them to understand hee had not a Denier and spurting Dapple hee broke thorow them and passing by one of them looking wishly upon him layd hold on him and casting his armes about his middle with a loud voyce and very good spanish said God defend mee and what doe I see is it possible I have my deare friend in my armes my honest neighbour Sancho Panca Yes sure I have for I neyther sleep nor am drunke Sancho wondred to heare himselfe so called by his name and to see himselfe embraced by a Pilgrime-stranger and after hee had beheld him a good while without speaking a word and with
Sancho that e're long there shall bee never a Tipling-house Tavern Inne Hostory or Barbers Shop but in them all wee shall see the History of our famous Acts painted neverthelesse I would with with all my heart that they might bee drawn by a more cunning and skillfull hand then by that which hath pourtraid these figures Thou hast reason Sancho answered Don-Quixote for this Painter is like unto Orbanegia who dwelled at Vbeda who when hee was demanded what he was Painting made this answer That which shall come forth to light And if perchance hee drew a Cock hee would write above it This is a Cock lest any man should think it to bee a Fox Now me thinks Sancho that such ought to bee the Painter or the writer for all is one same thing who hath set forth the History of this new Don-Quixote because hee hath painted or written that which may come forth to the open light Hee hath imitated a certain Poet named Mauleon who the last yeer was at the Court who sodainly would make answer to whatsoever was demanded him And as one asked him one day what these words Deum de Deo signified Hee answered in Spanish De donde diere But omitting all this tell me Sancho Hast thou a minde to give thy another touch this night and wilt thou have it to bee under the roof of a house or else in the open ayre Now I assure you quoth Sancho for the stripes and lashes that I intend to give my self I love them as well in the house as in the open fields yet with this Proviso That I would have it to bee amongst Trees for me thinks that they keepe mee good company and doe exceedingly help mee to indure and undergoe my travell and pains Friend Sancho said Don-Quixote that shall not bee rather reserve them that you may exercise them when wee shall bee arrived at our Village whither at the farthest we shall reach the next day after to morrow and in the mean time thou shalt have recovered new strength Sancho answered that hee might doe what best pleased him but notwithstanding hee desired to dispatch this businesse in hot blood and whilest the Mill was going for dangers consist often in lingring and expectation and that with prayers unto God a man must strike with his Mallet That one take it is more worth then two thou shalt have it And better is one Sparrow in the hand then a Vulture flying in the ayre Now for Gods sake Sancho replyed Don-Quixote let us not alledge so many Proverbs me thinks thou art still returning unto Sicut erat I prethee speak plainly cleerly and goe not so about the bush with such embroyled speeches as I have often told thee and thou shalt see that one loaf of bread will yeeld thee more then an hundred I am so unluckie quoth Sancho that I cannot discourse without Proverbs nor can I alleage a Proverb that seems not to bee a reason unto me Neverthelesse if I can I will correct my self and with that they gave over their enterparlie at that time CHAP. LXXII How Don-Quixote and Sancho arrived at their Village DOn-Quixote and Sancho looking for night stayed in that Inne The one to end in the open fields the task of his discipline and the other to see the successe of it whence depended the end of his desires During which time a Gentleman on horse-back followed by three or four Servants came to the Gate of the Inne to whom one of his attendants said thus My Lord Don Alvaro Tarfe you may here rest your self and passe the great heat of the day This Inne seemeth to bee very cleanly and cool Which speech Don Quixote hearing he said unto Sancho Thou oughtest to know that when I turned over the Book of the second part of my History me thought that in reading of the same I met with this name of Don Alvaro Tarfe That may very well bee said Sancho but first let us lee him alight from his horse and then wee will speak unto him The Knight alighted and the Hostesse appointed him a low Chamber neer unto that of Don-Quixote and which was furnished with like figures of painted Serge. The new-come Knight did forthwith put off his heavy clothes and now going out of the Inne Porch which was somewhat spacious and fresh under which Don-Quixote was walking hee demanded of him Whither goe you my good Sir Gentleman I am going answered Don-Quixote unto a certain Village not farre off where I was born And you my Lord whither goe you I travell said the Knight towards Granada which is my native Country Sir you were born replyed Don-Quixote in a very good Country in the mean time I pray you in courtesie tell me your name for it stands me very much upon to know it yea more then can well bee imagined I am called Don Alvaro Tarfe answered the Knight Then are you undoubtedly quoth Don-Quixote that Alvaro Tarâ—e whose name is imprinted in the second part of the History of Don-Quixote de la Mancha which a modern Authour hath lately set forth I am the very same man of whom you speak said the Knight and that Don Quixote who is the principall subject of such an History was my very great friend It was even I that drew him first out of his Village or at least that perswaded him to be at the Justs and Tiltings which were then kept at Saragosa and whither I was going and in good truth I did him a great favour for I was the cause that the hang-man did not well claw and bum-baste his back having rightly deserved such a punishment because hee was over â—rash and fool â—hardy But tell me I beseech you then quoth Don-Quixote my Lord Don Alvaro doe I in any thing resemble the said Don-Quixote of whom you speak Nothing at all answered the other And did that Don-Quixote replyed our Knight conduct with him a Squire named Sancho Panca Yes verily quoth Don Alvaro And the report went that this Squire was very blithe pleasant aad gamesome but yet I never heard him speak any thing with a good garbe or grace nor any one word that might cause laughter I beleeve it well said Sancho then for it suits not with all the world to bee pleasant and jesting and the very same Sancho of whom you speak my Lord the Gentleman must bee some notorious Rogue some Greedy-gut and notable Theef It is I that am the right Sancho Panca that can tell many fine Tales yea more then there are drops of water when it raineth If so you please my Lord you may make experience of it and follow me at least one yeer and you shall then see that at every step I shall speak so many unpleasant things that very often without knowing what I utter I make all them to laugh that listen unto me In good sooth Don-Quixote de la Mancha the farre renowned the valiant the discreet the amorous he who is the redresser of wrongs
Town should permit any Comedie to bee played By which means the Players would diligently send their Playes to the Court and might boldly afterwards Act them and the composers would with more care and studie examine their Labours knowing that they should passe the strict censure of him that could understand them And by this means would good Comedies bee written and the thing intended by them most easily attained to viz. entertainment of the People the good opinion of Spanish wits the profit and security of the Players and the saving of the care that is now imployed in chastising their rashnesse And if the same charge were given to this man or to some other to examine the Books of Knight-hood which should bee made hereafter some of them doubtlesse would bee put forth adorned with that perfection whereof you spoke but now inriching our language with the pleasing and precious treasure of eloquence and being an occasion that the old Books would become obscure in the bright presence of those new ones published for the honest recreation not only of the idler sort but also of those that have more serious occupations For it is not possible for the bow to continue still bent nor can our humane and fraile nature sustain it self long without some help of lawfull recreation The Canon and Curate had arrived to this point of their discourse when the Barber spurring on and overtaking them said to the Curate This is the place I lately told you was fit to passe over the heat of the day in while the Oxen baited amidest the fresh and aboundant Pastures It likes me very well quoth the Curate and telling the Canon what hee meant to doe hee also was pleased to remain with them as well invited by the prospect of a beautifull Valley which offered it self to their view as also to injoy the Curates conversation towards whom hee began to bear a marvellous affection And lastly with the desires hee had to bee thorowly acquainted with Don-Quixotes Adventures therefore hee gave order to some of his men that they should ride to the Inne which was hard by and bring from thence what meat they could finde sufficient to satisfie them all because hee meant likewise to passe the hot time of the day in that place To which one of his men did answer that their sumpture Mule was by that time as hee thought in the Inne so copiously furnished with provision of meat that as hee supposed they needed not buy any thing there but barley for their Mules If it be so quoth the Canon let our Mules be carried thither and the sumpture one returned hither Whilest this passed Sancho being free from the continuall presence of the Curate and Barber whom hee held as suspected persons thought it a fit time to speak with his Lord and therefore drew neer to the Cage wherein he sate and said to him in this manner Sir that I may discharge my conscience I will reveal unto you all that hath past in this affair of your inchantment which briefly is that those two which ride with their faces covered are the Curate of our Village and the Barber and as I imagine they both are the Plotters of this your kinde of carrying away for meer emulation that they see you surpasse them both in atchieving of famous Acts This truth being presupposed it follows that you are not Inchanted but beguiled and made a fool For the proof whereof I will but demand of you one question and if you doe answer me according to my expectation as I beleeve you will you shall feel the deceit with your own hands and perceive how you are not inchanted but rather have your wits turned upside-down Sonne Sancho demand what thou wilt quoth Don-Quixote and I will satisfie thee and answer directly to thy desire But as touching thy averment that those which goe along with us be the Curate and Barber our Gossips and old acquaintance it may well befall that they seem to be such but that they are so really and in effect I would not have thee beleeve in any manner For that which thou art to believe and shouldest understand in this matter is that if they bee like those our friends as thou sayest it must needs bee that those which have inchanted me have assumed their semblance and likenesse for it is an easie thing for Magicians to put on any shape they please thereby to give thee occasion to think that which thou doest to drive thee into such a Labyrinth of imaginations as thou shalt not afterwards know how to sally out although thou hadst the assistance of Theseus clew and withall to make me waver in mine understanding to the end I may not conjecture from whence this charme is derived unto me for if thou on the one side doest affirm that the Barber and Curate of our Village doe accompanie me and I on the other side finde my self incaged and am so assured of mine own force that no humane strength bee it not supernaturall is able thus to incage me what wouldest thou have me to say or think but that the manner of mine inchantment exceeds as many as ever I read throughout all the Histories intreating of Knights Errant which have beene inchanted Wherefore thou maiest very well appease and quiet thy selfe in that point of beleeving them to be those thou sayest for they are those as much as I am a Turke and as touching thy desire to demand somewhat of me speake for I will answer thee although thou puttest mee questions untill to morrow morning Our Lady assist me quoth Sancho as loud as he could and is it possible that you are so brain-sicke and hard-headed as you cannot perceive that I affirme the very pure truth and that malice hath a greater stroke in this your disgrace and imployment then any inchantments But seeing it is so I will proove evidently that you are not inchanted if not tell me as God shall deliver you out of this tempest and as you shall see your self when you least think of it in my Lady Dulcinea's armes Make an end of conjuring me said Don-Quixote and aske me what question thou wilt for I have already told thee that I will answer with all punctuality That is it I demand quoth Sancho and the thing I would know is that you tell me without adding or diminishing ought but with all truth used or looked for of all those which professe the exercise of armes as you doe under the title of Knights Errants I say answered Don-Quixote that I will not lie a jot make therefore a beginning or an end of these demands for in good sooth thou dost weary me with so many salutations petitions and preventions Sancho replyed I say that I am secure of the bounty aud truth of my Lord and therefore because it makes to the purpose in our affaire I doe with all respect demand whether your Worship since your incagement and as you imagine inchantment in that coope
have not had a desire to make greater or lesse water as men are wont to say I doe not understand good Sancho that phrase of making water and therefore explicate thy selfe if thou wouldest have me to answer thee directly And is it possible replied he that your Worship understands not what it is to make great or little waters then goe to some schoole and learn it of the boyes and know that I would say Have you had a desire to doe that which cannot be undone O now now I understand thee Sancho Yes very many timesâ— yea and even now I have wherefore I pray thee deliver me from the extremity thereof for I promise thee I am not altogether so clean as I would be CHAP. XXII Wherein the discreete discourse that passed betweene Sancho Panca and his Lord Don-Quixote is expressed HA quoth Sancho have I caught you at last this is that which I desired to know as much as my soule or life come now Sir and tell me can you deny that which is wont to be said when a body is ill disposed I know not what ayles such a one for he neither eates nor drinks nor sleepes nor answers directly to that which is demanded him so as it seemes that he is inchanted By which may be collected that such as neither eat drink sleepe nor doe the other naturall things you wote of are inchanted but not those which have a desire as you have and eate meate when they get it and drink drink when it is given them and answer to all is propounded unto them Thou sayest true Sancho quoth Don-Quixote but I have told the already that there are divers sorts of inchantments and perhaps they change with the times from one kinde into another and that now the inchanted use to doe all that which I do although they did not so in times past and therefore there is no disputting or drawing of conclusions against the customes of the time I know and doe verily perswade my self that I am inchanted and that is sufficient for the discharge of my conscience which would bee gratly burdened if I thought that I were not inchanted and yet permitted my self to bee borne away in this Cage idly and like a Coward with-holding the succour I might give to many distressed and needy persons which even at this hour bee like enough to have extream want of mine aide and assistance Yet say I notwithstanding replyed Sancho that for more aboundant satisfaction your Worship might doe well to attempt the getting out of this prison the which I doe obliege my self with all my power to facilitate yea and to get out and then you may recount eftsoons on the good Rozinante who also seems inchanted so sad and melancholy hee goes And this being done wee may again assay the fortune of seeking Adventures which if it have no good successe wee have time enough to return to our Cage wherein I promise by the faith of a good and loyall Squire to shut up my self together with you if you shall prove so unfortunate or I so foolish as not to bring our Designes to a good issue I am content to doe what thou sayest brother Sancho replyed Don-Quixote and when thou seest oportunitie offered to free me I will bee ruled by thee in every thing but yet thou shalt see how far thou art over-wrought in the knowledge thou wilt seem to have of my disgrace The Knight Errant and the ill errant Squire beguiled the time in these discourses untill they arrived to the place where the Canon Curate and Barber expected them And then Sancho alighting and helping to take down the Cage the Wayn-man unyoked his Oxen permitting them to take the benefit of pasture in that green and pleasant Valley whose Verdure invited not such to enjoy it as were inchanted like Don-Quixote but rather such heedfull and discreeet persons as was his man who intreated the Curate to licence his Lord to come out but a little while for otherwise the Prison would not bee so cleanly as the presence of so Worthie a Knight as his Lord was required The Curate understood his meaning and answered that he would satisfie his requests very willingly but that hee feared when hee saw himself at libertie hee would play then some prank or other and goe whither no body should ever set eye on him after I will bee his surety that hee shall not flie away quoth Sancho And I also quoth the Canon if hee will but promise me as hee is a Knight that hee will not depart from us without our consent I give my word that I will not quoth Don-Quixote who heard all that they had said and the rather because that inchanted bodies have not free will to dispose of themselves as they list for hee that inchanted them may make them unable to stir from one place in three dayes and if they make an escape hee can compell them to return flying and therefore since it was so they might securely set him at libertie especially seeing it would redound so much to all their benefits for if they did not free him or get further off hee protested that hee could not forbear to offend their noses The Canon took his hand although it were bound and by his faith and word that hee would not depart and then they gave him liberty whereat hee infinitely rejoyced especially seeing himself out of the Cage The first thing that hee did after was to stretch all his bodie and then hee went towards Rozinante and striking him twice or thrice on the buttocks hee said I hope yet in God and his blessed Mother O flower and Mirror of Horses that wee two shall see our selves very soon in that state which our hearts desire thou with thy Lord on thy back and I mounted on thee and exercising the function for which God sent me into this World And saying so Don-Quixote with his Squire Sancho retired himself somewhat from the companie and came back soon after a little more lightned but greatly desiring to execute his Squires Designes The Canon beheld him very earnestly and with admiration wondring to see the strangenesse of his fond humour and how that hee shewed in whatsoever hee uttered a very good understanding and only left the stirrops as is said before when any mention was made of Chivalrie and therefore moved to compassion after they were all laid down along upon the grasse expecting their dinner hee said unto him Gentleman is it possible that the idle and unsavourie Lecture of Books of Knight-hood hath so much distracted your wit as thus to beleeve that you are carried away inchanted with other things of that kinde as much wide from truth as untruths can be from verity it self or how is it possible that any humane understanding can frame it self to beleeve that in this world there have been such an infinite of Amadises such a crue of famous Knights so many Emperours of Trapisonda such a number of Felixmartes of Hyrcania