Beoff,youscoundrel!Lettheboltfall。WhyshouldIgolookingforthreefeetonacat,topleaseanotherman;andwhatismore,whenlookingforDulcineawillbelookingforMaricainRavena,orthebachelorinSalamanca?Thedevil,thedevilandnobodyelse,hasmixedmeupinthisbusiness!”
SuchwasthesoliloquySanchoheldwithhimself,andalltheconclusionhecouldcometowastosaytohimselfagain,“Well,there'sremedyforeverythingexceptdeath,underwhoseyokewehavealltopass,whetherwelikeitornot,whenlife'sfinished。Ihaveseenbyathousandsignsthatthismasterofmineisamadmanfittobetied,andforthatmatter,Itoo,amnotbehindhim;forI'magreaterfoolthanheiswhenIfollowhimandservehim,ifthere'sanytruthintheproverbthatsays,'Tellmewhatcompanythoukeepest,andI'lltelltheewhatthouart,'orinthatother,'Notwithwhomthouartbred,butwithwhomthouartfed。'Wellthen,ifhebemad,asheis,andwithamadnessthatmostlytakesonethingforanother,andwhiteforblack,andblackforwhite,aswasseenwhenhesaidthewindmillsweregiants,andthemonks'mulesdromedaries,flocksofsheeparmiesofenemies,andmuchmoretothesametune,itwillnotbeveryhardtomakehimbelievethatsomecountrygirl,thefirstIcomeacrosshere,istheladyDulcinea;andifhedoesnotbelieveit,I'llswearit;andifheshouldswear,I'llswearagain;
andifhepersistsI'llpersiststillmore,soas,comewhatmay,tohavemyquoitalwaysoverthepeg。Maybe,byholdingoutinthisway,Imayputastoptohissendingmeonmessagesofthiskindanothertime;ormaybehewillthink,asIsuspecthewill,thatoneofthosewickedenchanters,whohesayshaveaspiteagainsthim,haschangedherformforthesakeofdoinghimanillturnandinjuringhim。“
WiththisreflectionSanchomadehismindeasy,countingthebusinessasgoodassettled,andstayedtheretilltheafternoonsoastomakeDonQuixotethinkhehadtimeenoughtogotoElTobosoandreturn;andthingsturnedoutsoluckilyforhimthatashegotuptomountDapple,hespied,comingfromElTobosotowardsthespotwherehestood,threepeasantgirlsonthreecolts,orfillies-fortheauthordoesnotmakethepointclear,thoughitismorelikelytheywereshe-asses,theusualmountwithvillagegirls;butasitisofnogreatconsequence,weneednotstoptoproveit。
Tobebrief,theinstantSanchosawthepeasantgirls,hereturnedfullspeedtoseekhismaster,andfoundhimsighingandutteringathousandpassionatelamentations。WhenDonQuixotesawhimheexclaimed,“Whatnews,Sancho,myfriend?AmItomarkthisdaywithawhitestoneorablack?”
“Yourworship,“repliedSancho,“hadbettermarkitwithruddle,liketheinscriptionsonthewallsofclassrooms,thatthosewhoseeitmayseeitplain。“
“Thenthoubringestgoodnews,“saidDonQuixote。
“Sogood,“repliedSancho,“thatyourworshipbasonlytospurRocinanteandgetoutintotheopenfieldtoseetheladyDulcineadelToboso,who,withtwoothers,damselsofhers,iscomingtoseeyourworship。“
“HolyGod!whatartthousaying,Sancho,myfriend?”exclaimedDonQuixote。“Takecarethouartnotdeceivingme,orseekingbyfalsejoytocheermyrealsadness。“
“WhatcouldIgetbydeceivingyourworship,“returnedSancho,“especiallywhenitwillsosoonbeshownwhetherItellthetruthornot?Come,senor,pushon,andyouwillseetheprincessourmistresscoming,robedandadorned-infact,likewhatsheis。Herdamselsandshearealloneglowofgold,allbunchesofpearls,alldiamonds,allrubies,allclothofbrocadeofmorethantenborders;
withtheirhairlooseontheirshoulderslikesomanysunbeamsplayingwiththewind;andmoreover,theycomemountedonthreepiebaldcackneys,thefinestsighteveryousaw。“
“Hackneys,youmean,Sancho,“saidDonQuixote。
“Thereisnotmuchdifferencebetweencackneysandhackneys,“saidSancho;“butnomatterwhattheycomeon,theretheyare,thefinestladiesonecouldwishfor,especiallymyladytheprincessDulcinea,whostaggersone'ssenses。“
“Letusgo,Sancho,myson,“saidDonQuixote,“andinguerdonofthisnews,asunexpectedasitisgood,IbestowupontheethebestspoilIshallwininthefirstadventureImayhave;orifthatdoesnotsatisfythee,IpromisetheethefoalsIshallhavethisyearfrommythreemaresthatthouknowestareinfoalonourvillagecommon。“
“I'lltakethefoals,“saidSancho;“foritisnotquitecertainthatthespoilsofthefirstadventurewillbegoodones。“
Bythistimetheyhadclearedthewood,andsawthethreevillagelassescloseathand。DonQuixotelookedallalongtheroadtoElToboso,andashecouldseenobodyexceptthethreepeasantgirls,hewascompletelypuzzled,andaskedSanchoifitwasoutsidethecityhehadleftthem。
“Howoutsidethecity?”returnedSancho。“Areyourworship'seyesinthebackofyourhead,thatyoucan'tseethattheyarethesewhoarecominghere,shiningliketheverysunatnoonday?”
“Iseenothing,Sancho,“saidDonQuixote,“butthreecountrygirlsonthreejackasses。“
“Now,mayGoddelivermefromthedevil!”saidSancho,“andcanitbethatyourworshiptakesthreehackneys-orwhateverthey'recalled-
aswhiteasthedrivensnow,forjackasses?BytheLord,Icouldtearmybeardifthatwasthecase!”
“Well,Icanonlysay,Sancho,myfriend,“saidDonQuixote,“thatitisasplaintheyarejackasses-orjennyasses-asthatIamDonQuixote,andthouSanchoPanza:atanyrate,theyseemtometobeso。“
“Hush,senor,“saidSancho,“don'ttalkthatway,butopenyoureyes,andcomeandpayyourrespectstotheladyofyourthoughts,whoiscloseuponusnow;“andwiththesewordsheadvancedtoreceivethethreevillagelasses,anddismountingfromDapple,caughtholdofoneoftheassesofthethreecountrygirlsbythehalter,anddroppingonbothkneesontheground,hesaid,“Queenandprincessandduchessofbeauty,mayitpleaseyourhaughtinessandgreatnesstoreceiveintoyourfavourandgood-willyourcaptiveknightwhostandsthereturnedintomarblestone,andquitestupefiedandbenumbedatfindinghimselfinyourmagnificentpresence。IamSanchoPanza,hissquire,andhethevagabondknightDonQuixoteofLaMancha,otherwisecalled'TheKnightoftheRuefulCountenance。““
DonQuixotehadbythistimeplacedhimselfonhiskneesbesideSancho,and,witheyesstartingoutofhisheadandapuzzledgaze,wasregardingherwhomSanchocalledqueenandlady;andashecouldseenothinginherexceptavillagelass,andnotaverywell-favouredone,forshewasplatter-facedandsnub-nosed,hewasperplexedandbewildered,anddidnotventuretoopenhislips。Thecountrygirls,atthesametime,wereastonishedtoseethesetwomen,sodifferentinappearance,ontheirknees,preventingtheircompanionfromgoingon。She,however,whohadbeenstopped,breakingsilence,saidangrilyandtestily,“Getoutoftheway,badlucktoyou,andletuspass,forweareinahurry。“
TowhichSanchoreturned,“Oh,princessanduniversalladyofElToboso,isnotyourmagnanimousheartsoftenedbyseeingthepillarandpropofknight-errantryonhiskneesbeforeyoursublimatedpresence?”
Onhearingthis,oneoftheothersexclaimed,“Woathen!why,I'mrubbingtheedown,she-assofmyfather-in-law!Seehowthelordlingscometomakegameofthevillagegirlsnow,asifweherecouldnotchaffaswellasthemselves。Goyourownway,andletusgoours,anditwillbebetterforyou。“
“Getup,Sancho,“saidDonQuixoteatthis;“Iseethatfortune,'withevildonetomeunsatedstill,'hastakenpossessionofalltheroadsbywhichanycomfortmayreach'thiswretchedsoul'thatI
carryinmyflesh。Andthou,highestperfectionofexcellencethatcanbedesired,utmostlimitofgraceinhumanshape,solereliefofthisafflictedheartthatadoresthee,thoughthemalignenchanterthatpersecutesmehasbroughtcloudsandcataractsonmyeyes,andtothem,andthemonly,transformedthyunparagonedbeautyandchangedthyfeaturesintothoseofapoorpeasantgirl,ifsobehehasnotatthesametimechangedmineintothoseofsomemonstertorenderthemloathsomeinthysight,refusenottolookuponmewithtendernessandlove;seeinginthissubmissionthatImakeonmykneestothytransformedbeautythehumilitywithwhichmysouladoresthee。“
“Hey-day!Mygrandfather!”criedthegirl,“muchIcareforyourlove-making!Getoutofthewayandletuspass,andwe'llthankyou。“
Sanchostoodasideandlethergo,verywellpleasedtohavegotsowelloutofthehobblehewasin。TheinstantthevillagelasswhohaddonedutyforDulcineafoundherselffree,proddingher“cackney“withaspikeshehadattheendofastick,shesetoffatfullspeedacrossthefield。Theshe-ass,however,feelingthepointmoreacutelythanusual,begancuttingsuchcapers,thatitflungtheladyDulcineatotheground;seeingwhich,DonQuixoterantoraiseherup,andSanchotofixandgirththepack-saddle,whichalsohadslippedundertheass'sbelly。Thepack-saddlebeingsecured,asDonQuixotewasabouttoliftuphisenchantedmistressinhisarmsandputheruponherbeast,thelady,gettingupfromtheground,savedhimthetrouble,for,goingbackalittle,shetookashortrun,andputtingbothhandsonthecroupoftheassshedroppedintothesaddlemorelightlythanafalcon,andsatastridelikeaman,whereatSanchosaid,“Rogue!”butourladyislighterthanalanner,andmightteachthecleverestCordovanorMexicanhowtomount;sheclearedthebackofthesaddleinonejump,andwithoutspurssheismakingthehackneygolikeazebra;andherdamselsarenowaybehindher,fortheyallflylikethewind;“whichwasthetruth,forassoonastheysawDulcineamounted,theypushedonafterher,andspedawaywithoutlookingback,formorethanhalfaleague。
DonQuixotefollowedthemwithhiseyes,andwhentheywerenolongerinsight,heturnedtoSanchoandsaid,“Hownow,Sancho?
thouseesthowIamhatedbyenchanters!Andseetowhatalengththemaliceandspitetheybearmego,whentheyseektodeprivemeofthehappinessitwouldgivemetoseemyladyinherownproperform。ThefactisIwasborntobeanexampleofmisfortune,andthetargetandmarkatwhichthearrowsofadversityareaimedanddirected。Observetoo,Sancho,thatthesetraitorswerenotcontentwithchangingandtransformingmyDulcinea,buttheytransformedandchangedherintoashapeasmeanandill-favouredasthatofthevillagegirlyonder;andatthesametimetheyrobbedherofthatwhichissuchapeculiarpropertyofladiesofdistinction,thatistosay,thesweetfragrancethatcomesofbeingalwaysamongperfumesandflowers。ForImusttellthee,Sancho,thatwhenIapproachedtoputDulcineauponherhackneyasthousayestitwas,thoughtomeitappearedashe-ass,shegavemeawhiffofrawgarlicthatmademyheadreel,andpoisonedmyveryheart。“
“Oscumoftheearth!”criedSanchoatthis,“Omiserable,spitefulenchanters!OthatIcouldseeyouallstrungbythegills,likesardinesonatwig!Yeknowagreatdeal,yecandoagreatdeal,andyedoagreatdealmore。Itoughttohavebeenenoughforyou,yescoundrels,tohavechangedthepearlsofmylady'seyesintooakgalls,andherhairofpurestgoldintothebristlesofaredox'stail,andinshort,allherfeaturesfromfairtofoul,withoutmeddlingwithhersmell;forbythatwemightsomehowhavefoundoutwhatwashiddenunderneaththatuglyrind;though,totellthetruth,Ineverperceivedherugliness,butonlyherbeauty,whichwasraisedtothehighestpitchofperfectionbyamoleshehadonherrightlip,likeamoustache,withsevenoreightredhairslikethreadsofgold,andmorethanapalmlong。“
“Fromthecorrespondencewhichexistsbetweenthoseofthefaceandthoseofthebody,“saidDonQuixote,“Dulcineamusthaveanothermoleresemblingthatonthethickofthethighonthatsideonwhichshehastheoneonherace;buthairsofthelengththouhastmentionedareverylongformoles。“
“Well,allIcansayistheretheywereasplainascouldbe,“
repliedSancho。
“Ibelieveit,myfriend,“returnedDonQuixote;“fornaturebestowednothingonDulcineathatwasnotperfectandwell-finished;
andso,ifshehadahundredmolesliketheonethouhastdescribed,inhertheywouldnotbemoles,butmoonsandshiningstars。Buttellme,Sancho,thatwhichseemedtometobeapack-saddleasthouwertfixingit,wasitaflat-saddleoraside-saddle?”
“Itwasneither,“repliedSancho,“butajinetasaddle,withafieldcoveringworthhalfakingdom,sorichisit。“
“AndthatIcouldnotseeallthis,Sancho!”saidDonQuixote;“oncemoreIsay,andwillsayathousandtimes,Iamthemostunfortunateofmen。“
Sancho,therogue,hadenoughtodotohidehislaughter,athearingthesimplicityofthemasterhehadsonicelybefooled。Atlength,afteragooddealmoreconversationhadpassedbetweenthem,theyremountedtheirbeasts,andfollowedtheroadtoSaragossa,whichtheyexpectedtoreachintimetotakepartinacertaingrandfestivalwhichisheldeveryyearinthatillustriouscity;butbeforetheygottherethingshappenedtothem,somany,soimportant,andsostrange,thattheydeservetoberecordedandread,aswillbeseenfartheron。
CHAPTERXI
OFTHESTRANGEADVENTUREWHICHTHEVALIANTDONQUIXOTEHADWITH
THECARORCARTOF“THECORTESOFDEATH“
DEJECTEDbeyondmeasuredidDonQuixotepursuehisjourney,turningoverinhismindthecrueltricktheenchantershadplayedhiminchanginghisladyDulcineaintothevileshapeofthevillagelass,norcouldhethinkofanywayofrestoringhertoheroriginalform;
andthesereflectionssoabsorbedhim,thatwithoutbeingawareofitheletgoRocinante'sbridle,andhe,perceivingthelibertythatwasgrantedhim,stoppedateverysteptocropthefreshgrasswithwhichtheplainabounded。
Sanchorecalledhimfromhisreverie。“Melancholy,senor,“saidhe,“wasmade,notforbeasts,butformen;butifmengivewaytoitovermuchtheyturntobeasts;controlyourself,yourworship;beyourselfagain;gatherupRocinante'sreins;cheerup,rouseyourselfandshowthatgallantspiritthatknights-errantoughttohave。Whatthedevilisthis?Whatweaknessisthis?ArewehereorinFrance?ThedevilflyawaywithalltheDulcineasintheworld;forthewell-beingofasingleknight-errantisofmoreconsequencethanalltheenchantmentsandtransformationsonearth。“
“Hush,Sancho,“saidDonQuixoteinaweakandfaintvoice,“hushandutternoblasphemiesagainstthatenchantedlady;forIaloneamtoblameforhermisfortuneandhardfate;hercalamityhascomeofthehatredthewickedbearme。“
“SosayI,“returnedSancho;“hisheartrendintwain,Itrow,whosawheronce,toseehernow。“
“Thoumayestwellsaythat,Sancho,“repliedDonQuixote,“asthousawestherinthefullperfectionofherbeauty;fortheenchantmentdoesnotgosofarastopervertthyvisionorhideherlovelinessfromthee;againstmealoneandagainstmyeyesisthestrengthofitsvenomdirected。Nevertheless,thereisonethingwhichhasoccurredtome,andthatisthatthoudidstilldescribeherbeautytome,for,aswellasIrecollect,thousaidstthathereyeswerepearls;buteyesthatarelikepearlsarerathertheeyesofasea-breamthanofalady,andIampersuadedthatDulcinea'smustbegreenemeralds,fullandsoft,withtworainbowsforeyebrows;takeawaythosepearlsfromhereyesandtransferthemtoherteeth;forbeyondadoubt,Sancho,thouhasttakentheonefortheother,theeyesfortheteeth。“
“Verylikely,“saidSancho;“forherbeautybewilderedmeasmuchasheruglinessdidyourworship;butletusleaveitalltoGod,whoaloneknowswhatistohappeninthisvaleoftears,inthisevilworldofours,wherethereishardlyathingtobefoundwithoutsomemixtureofwickedness,roguery,andrascality。Butonething,senor,troublesmemorethanalltherest,andthatisthinkingwhatistobedonewhenyourworshipconquerssomegiant,orsomeotherknight,andordershimtogoandpresenthimselfbeforethebeautyoftheladyDulcinea。Whereisthispoorgiant,orthispoorwretchofavanquishedknight,tofindher?IthinkIcanseethemwanderingalloverElToboso,lookinglikenoddies,andaskingformyladyDulcinea;
andeveniftheymeetherinthemiddleofthestreettheywon'tknowheranymorethantheywouldmyfather。“
“Perhaps,Sancho,“returnedDonQuixote,“theenchantmentdoesnotgosofarastodepriveconqueredandpresentedgiantsandknightsofthepowerofrecognisingDulcinea;wewilltrybyexperimentwithoneortwoofthefirstIvanquishandsendtoher,whethertheyseeherornot,bycommandingthemtoreturnandgivemeanaccountofwhathappenedtotheminthisrespect。“
“Ideclare,Ithinkwhatyourworshiphasproposedisexcellent,“
saidSancho;“andthatbythisplanweshallfindoutwhatwewanttoknow;andifitbethatitisonlyfromyourworshipsheishidden,themisfortunewillbemoreyoursthanhers;butsolongastheladyDulcineaiswellandhappy,weonourpartwillmakethebestofit,andgetonaswellaswecan,seekingouradventures,andleavingTimetotakehisowncourse;forheisthebestphysicianfortheseandgreaterailments。“
DonQuixotewasabouttoreplytoSanchoPanza,buthewaspreventedbyacartcrossingtheroadfullofthemostdiverseandstrangepersonagesandfiguresthatcouldbeimagined。Hewholedthemulesandactedascarterwasahideousdemon;thecartwasopentothesky,withoutatiltorcaneroof,andthefirstfigurethatpresenteditselftoDonQuixote'seyeswasthatofDeathitselfwithahumanface;nexttoitwasanangelwithlargepaintedwings,andatonesideanemperor,withacrown,toallappearanceofgold,onhishead。
AtthefeetofDeathwasthegodcalledCupid,withouthisbandage,butwithhisbow,quiver,andarrows;therewasalsoaknightinfullarmour,exceptthathehadnomorionorhelmet,butonlyahatdeckedwithplumesofdiverscolours;andalongwiththesetherewereotherswithavarietyofcostumesandfaces。Allthis,unexpectedlyencountered,tookDonQuixotesomewhataback,andstruckterrorintotheheartofSancho;butthenextinstantDonQuixotewasgladofit,believingthatsomenewperilousadventurewaspresentingitselftohim,andunderthisimpression,andwithaspiritpreparedtofaceanydanger,heplantedhimselfinfrontofthecart,andinaloudandmenacingtone,exclaimed,“Carter,orcoachman,ordevil,orwhateverthouart,tellmeatoncewhothouart,whitherthouartgoing,andwhothesefolkarethoucarriestinthywagon,whichlooksmorelikeCharon'sboatthananordinarycart。“
Towhichthedevil,stoppingthecart,answeredquietly,“Senor,weareplayersofAnguloelMalo'scompany;wehavebeenactingtheplayof'TheCortesofDeath'thismorning,whichistheoctaveofCorpusChristi,inavillagebehindthathill,andwehavetoactitthisafternooninthatvillagewhichyoucanseefromthis;andasitissonear,andtosavethetroubleofundressinganddressingagain,wegointhecostumesinwhichweperform。ThatladthereappearsasDeath,thatotherasanangel,thatwoman,themanager'swife,playsthequeen,thisonethesoldier,thattheemperor,andI
thedevil;andIamoneoftheprincipalcharactersoftheplay,forinthiscompanyItaketheleadingparts。Ifyouwanttoknowanythingmoreaboutus,askmeandIwillanswerwiththeutmostexactitude,forasIamadevilIamuptoeverything。“
“Bythefaithofaknight-errant,“repliedDonQuixote,“whenI
sawthiscartIfanciedsomegreatadventurewaspresentingitselftome;butIdeclareonemusttouchwiththehandwhatappearstotheeye,ifillusionsaretobeavoided。Godspeedyou,goodpeople;
keepyourfestival,andremember,ifyoudemandofmeoughtwhereinIcanrenderyouaservice,Iwilldoitgladlyandwillingly,forfromachildIwasfondoftheplay,andinmyyouthakeenloveroftheactor'sart。“
Whiletheyweretalking,fatesowilleditthatoneofthecompanyinamummers'dresswithagreatnumberofbells,andarmedwiththreeblownox-bladdersattheendofastick,joinedthem,andthismerry-andrewapproachingDonQuixote,beganflourishinghisstickandbangingthegroundwiththebladdersandcuttingcaperswithgreatjinglingofthebells,whichuntowardapparitionsostartledRocinantethat,inspiteofDonQuixote'seffortstoholdhimin,takingthebitbetweenhisteethhesetoffacrosstheplainwithgreaterspeedthanthebonesofhisanatomyevergaveanypromiseof。Sancho,whothoughthismasterwasindangerofbeingthrown,jumpedoffDapple,andraninallhastetohelphim;butbythetimehereachedhimhewasalreadyontheground,andbesidehimwasRocinante,whohadcomedownwithhismaster,theusualendandupshotofRocinante'svivacityandhighspirits。ButthemomentSanchoquittedhisbeasttogoandhelpDonQuixote,thedancingdevilwiththebladdersjumpeduponDapple,andbeatinghimwiththem,morebythefrightandthenoisethanbythepainoftheblows,madehimflyacrossthefieldstowardsthevillagewheretheyweregoingtoholdtheirfestival。
SanchowitnessedDapple'scareerandhismaster'sfall,anddidnotknowwhichofthetwocasesofneedheshouldattendtofirst;butintheend,likeagoodsquireandgoodservant,helethisloveforhismasterprevailoverhisaffectionforhisass;thougheverytimehesawthebladdersriseintheairandcomedownonthehindquartersofhisDapplehefeltthepainsandterrorsofdeath,andhewouldhaveratherhadtheblowsfallontheapplesofhisowneyesthanontheleasthairofhisass'stail。InthistroubleandperplexityhecametowhereDonQuixotelayinafarsorrierplightthanheliked,andhavinghelpedhimtomountRocinante,hesaidtohim,“Senor,thedevilhascarriedoffmyDapple。“
“Whatdevil?”askedDonQuixote。
“Theonewiththebladders,“saidSancho。
“ThenIwillrecoverhim,“saidDonQuixote,“evenifhebeshutupwithhiminthedeepestanddarkestdungeonsofhell。Followme,Sancho,forthecartgoesslowly,andwiththemulesofitIwillmakegoodthelossofDapple。“
“Youneednottakethetrouble,senor,“saidSancho;“keepcool,forasInowsee,thedevilhasletDapplegoandheiscomingbacktohisoldquarters;“andsoitturnedout,for,havingcomedownwithDapple,inimitationofDonQuixoteandRocinante,thedevilmadeoffonfoottothetown,andtheasscamebacktohismaster。
“Forallthat,“saidDonQuixote,“itwillbewelltovisitthediscourtesyofthatdeviluponsomeofthoseinthecart,evenifitweretheemperorhimself。“
“Don'tthinkofit,yourworship,“returnedSancho;“takemyadviceandnevermeddlewithactors,fortheyareafavouredclass;
Imyselfhaveknownanactortakenupfortwomurders,andyetcomeoffscot-free;rememberthat,astheyaremerryfolkwhogivepleasure,everyonefavoursandprotectsthem,andhelpsandmakesmuchofthem,aboveallwhentheyarethoseoftheroyalcompaniesandunderpatent,allormostofwhomindressandappearancelooklikeprinces。“
“Still,forallthat,“saidDonQuixote,“theplayerdevilmustnotgooffboasting,evenifthewholehumanracefavourshim。“
Sosaying,hemadeforthecart,whichwasnowverynearthetown,shoutingoutashewent,“Stay!halt!yemerry,jovialcrew!Iwanttoteachyouhowtotreatassesandanimalsthatservethesquiresofknights-errantforsteeds。“
SoloudweretheshoutsofDonQuixote,thatthoseinthecartheardandunderstoodthem,and,guessingbythewordswhatthespeaker'sintentionwas,Deathinaninstantjumpedoutofthecart,andtheemperor,thedevilcarterandtheangelafterhim,nordidthequeenorthegodCupidstaybehind;andallarmedthemselveswithstonesandformedinline,preparedtoreceiveDonQuixoteonthepointsoftheirpebbles。DonQuixote,whenhesawthemdrawnupinsuchagallantarraywithupliftedarmsreadyforamightydischargeofstones,checkedRocinanteandbegantoconsiderinwhatwayhecouldattackthemwiththeleastdangertohimself。AshehaltedSanchocameup,andseeinghimdisposedtoattackthiswell-orderedsquadron,saidtohim,“Itwouldbetheheightofmadnesstoattemptsuchanenterprise;remember,senor,thatagainstsopsfromthebrook,andplentyofthem,thereisnodefensivearmourintheworld,excepttostowoneselfawayunderabrassbell;andbesides,oneshouldrememberthatitisrashness,andnotvalour,forasinglemantoattackanarmythathasDeathinit,andwhereemperorsfightinperson,withangels,goodandbad,tohelpthem;andifthisreflectionwillnotmakeyoukeepquiet,perhapsitwilltoknowforcertainthatamongallthese,thoughtheylooklikekings,princes,andemperors,thereisnotasingleknight-errant。“
“Nowindeedthouhasthitthepoint,Sancho,“saidDonQuixote,“whichmayandshouldturnmefromtheresolutionIhadalreadyformed。Icannotandmustnotdrawsword,asIhavemanyatimebeforetoldthee,againstanyonewhoisnotadubbedknight;itisforthee,Sancho,ifthouwilt,totakevengeanceforthewrongdonetothyDapple;andIwillhelptheefromherebyshoutsandsalutarycounsels。“
“Thereisnooccasiontotakevengeanceonanyone,senor,“repliedSancho;“foritisnotthepartofgoodChristianstorevengewrongs;andbesides,Iwillarrangeitwithmyasstoleavehisgrievancetomygood-willandpleasure,andthatistoliveinpeaceaslongasheavengrantsmelife。“
“Well,“saidDonQuixote,“ifthatbethydetermination,goodSancho,sensibleSancho,ChristianSancho,honestSancho,letusleavethesephantomsaloneandturntothepursuitofbetterandworthieradventures;for,fromwhatIseeofthiscountry,wecannotfailtofindplentyofmarvellousonesinit。“
Heatoncewheeledabout,SanchorantotakepossessionofhisDapple,Deathandhisflyingsquadronreturnedtotheircartandpursuedtheirjourney,andthusthedreadadventureofthecartofDeathendedhappily,thankstotheadviceSanchogavehismaster;
whohad,thefollowingday,afreshadventure,ofnolessthrillinginterestthanthelast,withanenamouredknight-errant。
CHAPTERXII
OFTHESTRANGEADVENTUREWHICHBEFELLTHEVALIANTDONQUIXOTEWITH
THEBOLDKNIGHTOFTHEMIRRORS
THEnightsucceedingthedayoftheencounterwithDeath,DonQuixoteandhissquirepassedundersometallshadytrees,andDonQuixoteatSancho'spersuasionatealittlefromthestorecarriedbyDapple,andovertheirsupperSanchosaidtohismaster,“Senor,whatafoolIshouldhavelookedifIhadchosenformyrewardthespoilsofthefirstadventureyourworshipachieved,insteadofthefoalsofthethreemares。Afterall,'asparrowinthehandisbetterthanavultureonthewing。'“
“Atthesametime,Sancho,“repliedDonQuixote,“ifthouhadstletmeattackthemasIwanted,attheveryleasttheemperor'sgoldcrownandCupid'spaintedwingswouldhavefallentotheeasspoils,forIshouldhavetakenthembyforceandgiventhemintothyhands。“
“Thesceptresandcrownsofthoseplay-actoremperors,“saidSancho,“wereneveryetpuregold,butonlybrassfoilortin。“
“Thatistrue,“saidDonQuixote,“foritwouldnotberightthattheaccessoriesofthedramashouldbereal,insteadofbeingmerefictionsandsemblances,likethedramaitself;towardswhich,Sancho-
and,asanecessaryconsequence,towardsthosewhorepresentandproduceit-Iwouldthatthouwertfavourablydisposed,fortheyareallinstrumentsofgreatgoodtotheState,placingbeforeusateverystepamirrorinwhichwemayseevividlydisplayedwhatgoesoninhumanlife;noristhereanysimilitudethatshowsusmorefaithfullywhatweareandoughttobethantheplayandtheplayers。Come,tellme,hastthounotseenaplayactedinwhichkings,emperors,pontiffs,knights,ladies,anddiversotherpersonageswereintroduced?Oneplaysthevillain,anothertheknave,thisonethemerchant,thatthesoldier,onethesharp-wittedfool,anotherthefoolishlover;andwhentheplayisover,andtheyhaveputoffthedressestheyworeinit,alltheactorsbecomeequal。“
“Yes,Ihaveseenthat,“saidSancho。
“Wellthen,“saidDonQuixote,“thesamethinghappensinthecomedyandlifeofthisworld,wheresomeplayemperors,otherspopes,and,inshort,allthecharactersthatcanbebroughtintoaplay;butwhenitisover,thatistosaywhenlifeends,deathstripsthemallofthegarmentsthatdistinguishonefromtheother,andallareequalinthegrave。“
“Afinecomparison!”saidSancho;“thoughnotsonewbutthatIhavehearditmanyandmanyatime,aswellasthatotheroneofthegameofchess;how,solongasthegamelasts,eachpiecehasitsownparticularoffice,andwhenthegameisfinishedtheyareallmixed,jumbledupandshakentogether,andstowedawayinthebag,whichismuchlikeendinglifeinthegrave。“
“Thouartgrowinglessdoltishandmoreshrewdeveryday,Sancho,“
saidDonQuixote。
“Ay,“saidSancho;“itmustbethatsomeofyourworship'sshrewdnessstickstome;landthat,ofitself,isbarrenanddry,willcometoyieldgoodfruitifyoudungitandtillit;whatImeanisthatyourworship'sconversationhasbeenthedungthathasfallenonthebarrensoilofmydrywit,andthetimeIhavebeeninyourserviceandsocietyhasbeenthetillage;andwiththehelpofthisIhopetoyieldfruitinabundancethatwillnotfallawayorslidefromthosepathsofgoodbreedingthatyourworshiphasmadeinmyparchedunderstanding。“
DonQuixotelaughedatSancho'saffectedphraseology,andperceivedthatwhathesaidabouthisimprovementwastrue,fornowandthenhespokeinawaythatsurprisedhim;thoughalways,ormostly,whenSanchotriedtotalkfineandattemptedpolitelanguage,hewoundupbytopplingoverfromthesummitofhissimplicityintotheabyssofhisignorance;andwhereheshowedhiscultureandhismemorytothegreatestadvantagewasindragginginproverbs,nomatterwhethertheyhadanybearingornotuponthesubjectinhand,asmayhavebeenseenalreadyandwillbenoticedinthecourseofthishistory。
Inconversationofthiskindtheypassedagoodpartofthenight,butSanchofeltadesiretoletdownthecurtainsofhiseyes,asheusedtosaywhenhewantedtogotosleep;andstrippingDapplehelefthimatlibertytograzehisfill。HedidnotremoveRocinante'ssaddle,ashismaster'sexpressorderswere,thatsolongastheywereinthefieldornotsleepingunderaroofRocinantewasnottobestripped-theancientusageestablishedandobservedbyknights-errantbeingtotakeoffthebridleandhangitonthesaddle-bow,buttoremovethesaddlefromthehorse-never!Sanchoactedaccordingly,andgavehimthesamelibertyhehadgivenDapple,betweenwhomandRocinantetherewasafriendshipsounequalledandsostrong,thatitishandeddownbytraditionfromfathertoson,thattheauthorofthisveracioushistorydevotedsomespecialchapterstoit,which,inordertopreservetheproprietyanddecorumduetoahistorysoheroic,hedidnotinserttherein;althoughattimesheforgetsthisresolutionofhisanddescribeshoweagerlythetwobeastswouldscratchoneanotherwhentheyweretogetherandhow,whentheyweretiredorfull,RocinantewouldlayhisneckacrossDapple's,stretchinghalfayardormoreontheotherside,andthepairwouldstandthus,gazingthoughtfullyontheground,forthreedays,oratleastsolongastheywereleftalone,orhungerdidnotdrivethemtogoandlookforfood。ImayaddthattheysaytheauthorleftitonrecordthathelikenedtheirfriendshiptothatofNisusandEuryalus,andPyladesandOrestes;andifthatbeso,itmaybeperceived,totheadmirationofmankind,howfirmthefriendshipmusthavebeenbetweenthesetwopeacefulanimals,shamingmen,whopreservefriendshipswithoneanothersobadly。Thiswaswhyitwassaid-
Forfriendnolongeristherefriend;
Thereedsturnlancesnow。
Andsomeoneelsehassung-
Friendtofriendthebug,&c。
Andletnoonefancythattheauthorwasatallastraywhenhecomparedthefriendshipoftheseanimalstothatofmen;formenhavereceivedmanylessonsfrombeasts,andlearnedmanyimportantthings,as,forexample,theclysterfromthestork,vomitandgratitudefromthedog,watchfulnessfromthecrane,foresightfromtheant,modestyfromtheelephant,andloyaltyfromthehorse。
Sanchoatlastfellasleepatthefootofacorktree,whileDonQuixotedozedatthatofasturdyoak;butashorttimeonlyhadelapsedwhenanoiseheheardbehindhimawokehim,andrisingupstartled,helistenedandlookedinthedirectionthenoisecamefrom,andperceivedtwomenonhorseback,oneofwhom,lettinghimselfdropfromthesaddle,saidtotheother,“Dismount,myfriend,andtakethebridlesoffthehorses,for,sofarasIcansee,thisplacewillfurnishgrassforthem,andthesolitudeandsilencemylove-sickthoughtsneedof。“Ashesaidthishestretchedhimselfupontheground,andasheflunghimselfdown,thearmourinwhichhewascladrattled,wherebyDonQuixoteperceivedthathemustbeaknight-errant;andgoingovertoSancho,whowasasleep,heshookhimbythearmandwithnosmalldifficultybroughthimbacktohissenses,andsaidinalowvoicetohim,“BrotherSancho,wehavegotanadventure。“
“Godsendusagoodone,“saidSancho;“andwheremayherladyshiptheadventurebe?”
“Where,Sancho?”repliedDonQuixote;“turnthineeyesandlook,andthouwiltseestretchedthereaknight-errant,who,itstrikesme,isnotoverandabovehappy,forIsawhimflinghimselfoffhishorseandthrowhimselfonthegroundwithacertainairofdejection,andhisarmourrattledashefell。“
“Well,“saidSancho,“howdoesyourworshipmakeoutthattobeanadventure?”
“Idonotmeantosay,“returnedDonQuixote,“thatitisacompleteadventure,butthatitisthebeginningofone,foritisinthiswayadventuresbegin。Butlisten,foritseemsheistuningaluteorguitar,andfromthewayheisspittingandclearinghischesthemustbegettingreadytosingsomething。“
“Faith,youareright,“saidSancho,“andnodoubtheissomeenamouredknight。“
“Thereisnoknight-errantthatisnot,“saidDonQuixote;“butletuslistentohim,for,ifhesings,bythatthreadweshallextracttheballofhisthoughts;becauseoutoftheabundanceoftheheartthemouthspeaketh。“
Sanchowasabouttoreplytohismaster,buttheKnightoftheGrove'svoice,whichwasneitherverybadnorverygood,stoppedhim,andlisteningattentivelythepairheardhimsingthisSONNET
Yourpleasure,prithee,ladymine,unfold;
DeclarethetermsthatIamtoobey;
MywilltoyourssubmissivelyImould,Andfromyourlawmyfeetshallneverstray。
WouldyouIdie,tosilentgriefaprey?
Thencountmeevennowasdeadandcold;
WouldyouItellmywoesinsomenewway?
ThenshallmytalebyLoveitselfbetold。
Theunisonofoppositestoprove,OfthesoftwaxanddiamondhardamI;
Butstill,obedienttothelawsoflove,Here,hardorsoft,Iofferyoumybreast,Whate'eryougraveorstampthereonshallrestIndelibleforalleternity。
Withan“Ahme!”thatseemedtobedrawnfromtheinmostrecessesofhisheart,theKnightoftheGrovebroughthislaytoanend,andshortlyafterwardsexclaimedinamelancholyandpiteousvoice,“O
fairestandmostungratefulwomanonearth!What!canitbe,mostsereneCasildeadeVandalia,thatthouwiltsufferthisthycaptiveknighttowasteawayandperishinceaselesswanderingsandrudeandarduoustoils?ItisnotenoughthatIhavecompelledalltheknightsofNavarre,alltheLeonese,alltheTartesians,alltheCastilians,andfinallyalltheknightsofLaMancha,toconfesstheethemostbeautifulintheworld?”
“Notso,“saidDonQuixoteatthis,“forIamofLaMancha,andI
haveneverconfessedanythingofthesort,norcouldInorshouldI
confessathingsomuchtotheprejudiceofmylady'sbeauty;thouseesthowthisknightisraving,Sancho。Butletuslisten,perhapshewilltellusmoreabouthimself。“
“Thathewill,“returnedSancho,“forheseemsinamoodtobewailhimselfforamonthatastretch。“
Butthiswasnotthecase,fortheKnightoftheGrove,hearingvoicesnearhim,insteadofcontinuinghislamentation,stoodupandexclaimedinadistinctbutcourteoustone,“Whogoesthere?Whatareyou?Doyoubelongtothenumberofthehappyorofthemiserable?”
“Ofthemiserable,“answeredDonQuixote。
“Thencometome,“saidheoftheGrove,“andrestassuredthatitistowoeitselfandafflictionitselfyoucome。“
DonQuixote,findinghimselfansweredinsuchasoftandcourteousmanner,wentovertohim,andsodidSancho。
ThedolefulknighttookDonQuixotebythearm,saying,“Sitdownhere,sirknight;for,thatyouareone,andofthosethatprofessknight-errantry,itistomeasufficientprooftohavefoundyouinthisplace,wheresolitudeandnight,thenaturalcouchandproperretreatofknights-errant,keepyoucompany。“TowhichDonmadeanswer,“AknightIamoftheprofessionyoumention,andthoughsorrows,misfortunes,andcalamitieshavemademyhearttheirabode,thecompassionIfeelforthemisfortunesofothershasnotbeentherebybanishedfromit。FromwhatyouhavejustnowsungIgatherthatyoursspringfromlove,Imeanfromtheloveyoubearthatfairingrateyounamedinyourlament。“
Inthemeantime,theyhadseatedthemselvestogetheronthehardgroundpeaceablyandsociably,justasif,assoonasdaybroke,theywerenotgoingtobreakoneanother'sheads。
“Areyou,sirknight,inloveperchance?”askedheoftheGroveofDonQuixote。
“BymischanceIam,“repliedDonQuixote;“thoughtheillsarisingfromwell-bestowedaffectionsshouldbeesteemedfavoursratherthanmisfortunes。“
“Thatistrue,“returnedheoftheGrove,“ifscorndidnotunsettleourreasonandunderstanding,forifitbeexcessiveitlookslikerevenge。“
“Iwasneverscornedbymylady,“saidDonQuixote。
“Certainlynot,“saidSancho,whostoodcloseby,“formyladyisasalamb,andsofterthanarollofbutter。“
“Isthisyoursquire?”askedheoftheGrove。
“Heis,“saidDonQuixote。
“Ineveryetsawasquire,“saidheoftheGrove,“whoventuredtospeakwhenhismasterwasspeaking;atleast,thereismine,whoisasbigashisfather,anditcannotbeprovedthathehaseveropenedhislipswhenIamspeaking。“
“Bymyfaiththen,“saidSancho,“Ihavespoken,andamfittospeak,inthepresenceofoneasmuch,oreven-butnevermind-itonlymakesitworsetostirit。“
ThesquireoftheGrovetookSanchobythearm,sayingtohim,“Letustwogowherewecantalkinsquirestyleasmuchasweplease,andleavethesegentlemenourmasterstofightitoutoverthestoryoftheirloves;and,dependuponit,daybreakwillfindthematitwithouthavingmadeanendofit。“
“Sobeitbyallmeans,“saidSancho;“andIwilltellyourworshipwhoIam,thatyoumayseewhetherIamtobereckonedamongthenumberofthemosttalkativesquires。“
Withthisthetwosquireswithdrewtooneside,andbetweenthemtherepassedaconversationasdrollasthatwhichpassedbetweentheirmasterswasserious。
CHAPTERXIII
INWHICHISCONTINUEDTHEADVENTUREOFTHEKNIGHTOFTHEGROVE,TOGETHERWITHTHESENSIBLE,ORIGINAL,ANDTRANQUILCOLLOQUYTHAT
PASSEDBETWEENTHETWOSQUIRES
THEknightsandthesquiresmadetwoparties,thesetellingthestoryoftheirlives,theothersthestoryoftheirloves;butthehistoryrelatesfirstofalltheconversationoftheservants,andafterwardstakesupthatofthemasters;anditsaysthat,withdrawingalittlefromtheothers,heoftheGrovesaidtoSancho,“Ahardlifeitisweleadandlive,senor,wethataresquirestoknights-errant;verily,weeatourbreadinthesweatofourfaces,whichisoneofthecursesGodlaidonourfirstparents。“
“Itmaybesaid,too,“addedSancho,“thatweeatitinthechillofourbodies;forwhogetsmoreheatandcoldthanthemiserablesquiresofknight-errantry?Evensoitwouldnotbesobadifwehadsomethingtoeat,forwoesarelighterifthere'sbread;butsometimeswegoadayortwowithoutbreakingourfast,exceptwiththewindthatblows。“
“Allthat,“saidheoftheGrove,“maybeenduredandputupwithwhenwehavehopesofreward;for,unlesstheknight-errantheservesisexcessivelyunlucky,afterafewturnsthesquirewillatleastfindhimselfrewardedwithafinegovernmentofsomeislandorsomefaircounty。“
“I,“saidSancho,“havealreadytoldmymasterthatIshallbecontentwiththegovernmentofsomeisland,andheissonobleandgenerousthathehaspromisedittomeeversomanytimes。“
“I,“saidheoftheGrove,“shallbesatisfiedwithacanonryformyservices,andmymasterhasalreadyassignedmeone。“
“Yourmaster,“saidSancho,“nodoubtisaknightintheChurchline,andcanbestowrewardsofthatsortonhisgoodsquire;butmineisonlyalayman;thoughIremembersomeclever,but,tomymind,designingpeople,strovetopersuadehimtotryandbecomeanarchbishop。He,however,wouldnotbeanythingbutanemperor;butI
wastremblingallthetimelestheshouldtakeafancytogointotheChurch,notfindingmyselffittoholdofficeinit;forImaytellyou,thoughIseemaman,IamnobetterthanabeastfortheChurch。“
“Well,then,youarewrongthere,“saidheoftheGrove;“forthoseislandgovernmentsarenotallsatisfactory;someareawkward,somearepoor,somearedull,and,inshort,thehighestandchoicestbringswithitaheavyburdenofcaresandtroubleswhichtheunhappywighttowhoselotithasfallenbearsuponhisshoulders。Farbetterwoulditbeforuswhohaveadoptedthisaccursedservicetogobacktoourownhouses,andthereemployourselvesinpleasanteroccupations-inhuntingorfishing,forinstance;forwhatsquireintheworldistheresopoorasnottohaveahackandacoupleofgreyhoundsandafishingrodtoamusehimselfwithinhisownvillage?”
“Iamnotinwantofanyofthosethings,“saidSancho;“tobesureIhavenohack,butIhaveanassthatisworthmymaster'shorsetwiceover;GodsendmeabadEaster,andthatthenextoneIamtosee,ifIwouldswap,evenifIgotfourbushelsofbarleytoboot。
YouwilllaughatthevalueIputonmyDapple-fordappleisthecolourofmybeast。Astogreyhounds,Ican'twantforthem,forthereareenoughandtospareinmytown;and,moreover,thereismorepleasureinsportwhenitisatotherpeople'sexpense。“
“Intruthandearnest,sirsquire,“saidheoftheGrove,“Ihavemadeupmymindanddeterminedtohavedonewiththesedrunkenvagariesoftheseknights,andgobacktomyvillage,andbringupmychildren;forIhavethree,likethreeOrientalpearls。“
“Ihavetwo,“saidSancho,“thatmightbepresentedbeforethePopehimself,especiallyagirlwhomIambreedingupforacountess,pleaseGod,thoughinspiteofhermother。“
“Andhowoldisthisladythatisbeingbredupforacountess?”
askedheoftheGrove。
“Fifteen,acoupleofyearsmoreorless,“answeredSancho;“butsheisastallasalance,andasfreshasanAprilmorning,andasstrongasaporter。“
“Thosearegiftstofithertobenotonlyacountessbutanymphofthegreenwood,“saidheoftheGrove;“whoresonstrumpet!whatpiththeroguemusthave!”
TowhichSanchomadeanswer,somewhatsulkily,“She'snostrumpet,norwashermother,norwilleitherofthembe,pleaseGod,whileI
live;speakmorecivilly;foronebredupamongknights-errant,whoarecourtesyitself,yourwordsdon'tseemtometobeverybecoming。“
“Ohowlittleyouknowaboutcompliments,sirsquire,“returnedheoftheGrove。“What!don'tyouknowthatwhenahorsemandeliversagoodlancethrustatthebullintheplaza,orwhenanyonedoesanythingverywell,thepeoplearewonttosay,'Ha,whoresonrip!howwellhehasdoneit!'andthatwhatseemstobeabuseintheexpressionishighpraise?Disownsonsanddaughters,senor,whodon'tdowhatdeservesthatcomplimentsofthissortshouldbepaidtotheirparents。“
“Idodisownthem,“repliedSancho,“andinthisway,andbythesamereasoning,youmightcallmeandmychildrenandmywifeallthestrumpetsintheworld,foralltheydoandsayisofakindthatinthehighestdegreedeservesthesamepraise;andtoseethemagainIprayGodtodelivermefrommortalsin,or,whatcomestothesamething,todelivermefromthisperilouscallingofsquireintowhichIhavefallenasecondtime,decayedandbeguiledbyapursewithahundredducatsthatIfoundonedayintheheartoftheSierraMorena;andthedevilisalwaysputtingabagfullofdoubloonsbeforemyeyes,here,there,everywhere,untilIfancyateverystopI
amputtingmyhandonit,andhuggingit,andcarryingithomewithme,andmakinginvestments,andgettinginterest,andlivinglikeaprince;andsolongasIthinkofthisImakelightofallthehardshipsIendurewiththissimpletonofamasterofmine,who,I
wellknow,ismoreofamadmanthanaknight。“
“There'swhytheysaythat'covetousnessburststhebag,'“saidheoftheGrove;“butifyoucometotalkofthatsort,thereisnotagreateroneintheworldthanmymaster,forheisoneofthoseofwhomtheysay,'thecaresofotherskilltheass;'for,inorderthatanotherknightmayrecoverthesenseshehaslost,hemakesamadmanofhimselfandgoeslookingforwhat,whenfound,may,forallIknow,flyinhisownface。“
“Andisheinloveperchance?”askedSancho。
“Heis,“saidoftheGrove,“withoneCasildeadeVandalia,therawestandbestroastedladythewholeworldcouldproduce;butthatrawnessisnottheonlyfoothelimpson,forhehasgreaterschemesrumblinginhisbowels,aswillbeseenbeforemanyhoursareover。“
“There'snoroadsosmoothbutithassomeholeorhindranceinit,“
saidSancho;“inotherhousestheycookbeans,butinmineit'sbythepotful;madnesswillhavemorefollowersandhangers-onthansoundsense;butiftherebeanytruthinthecommonsaying,thattohavecompanionsintroublegivessomerelief,Imaytakeconsolationfromyou,inasmuchasyouserveamasterascrazyasmyown。“
“Crazybutvaliant,“repliedheoftheGrove,“andmoreroguishthancrazyorvaliant。“
“Mineisnotthat,“saidSancho;“Imeanhehasnothingoftherogueinhim;onthecontrary,hehasthesoulofapitcher;hehasnothoughtofdoingharmtoanyone,onlygoodtoall,norhasheanymalicewhateverinhim;achildmightpersuadehimthatitisnightatnoonday;andforthissimplicityIlovehimasthecoreofmyheart,andIcan'tbringmyselftoleavehim,lethimdoeversuchfoolishthings。“
“Forallthat,brotherandsenor,“saidheoftheGrove,“iftheblindleadtheblind,bothareindangeroffallingintothepit。Itisbetterforustobeataquietretreatandgetbacktoourownquarters;forthosewhoseekadventuresdon'talwaysfindgoodones。“
Sanchokeptspittingfromtimetotime,andhisspittleseemedsomewhatropyanddry,observingwhichthecompassionatesquireoftheGrovesaid,“Itseemstomethatwithallthistalkofoursourtonguesarestickingtotheroofsofourmouths;butIhaveaprettygoodloosenerhangingfromthesaddle-bowofmyhorse,“andgettinguphecamebackthenextminutewithalargebotaofwineandapastyhalfayardacross;andthisisnoexaggeration,foritwasmadeofahouserabbitsobigthatSancho,ashehandledit,tookittobemadeofagoat,nottosayakid,andlookingatithesaid,“Anddoyoucarrythiswithyou,senor?”
“Why,whatareyouthinkingabout?”saidtheother;“doyoutakemeforsomepaltrysquire?Icarryabetterlarderonmyhorse'scroupthanageneraltakeswithhimwhenhegoesonamarch。“
Sanchoatewithoutrequiringtobepressed,andinthedarkboltedmouthfulsliketheknotsonatether,andsaidhe,“Youareapropertrustysquire,oneoftherightsort,sumptuousandgrand,asthisbanquetshows,which,ifithasnotcomeherebymagicart,atanyratehasthelookofit;notlikeme,unluckybeggar,thathavenothingmoreinmyalforjasthanascrapofcheese,sohardthatonemightbrainagiantwithit,and,tokeepitcompany,afewdozencarobsandasmanymorefilbertsandwalnuts;thankstotheausterityofmymaster,andtheideahehasandtherulehefollows,thatknights-errantmustnotliveorsustainthemselvesonanythingexceptdriedfruitsandtheherbsofthefield。“
“Bymyfaith,brother,“saidheoftheGrove,“mystomachisnotmadeforthistles,orwildpears,orrootsofthewoods;letourmastersdoastheylike,withtheirchivalrynotionsandlaws,andeatwhatthoseenjoin;Icarrymyprog-basketandthisbotahangingtothesaddle-bow,whatevertheymaysay;anditissuchanobjectofworshipwithme,andIloveitso,thatthereishardlyamomentbutIamkissingandembracingitoverandoveragain;“andsosayinghethrustitintoSancho'shands,whoraisingitaloftpointedtohismouth,gazedatthestarsforaquarterofanhour;andwhenhehaddonedrinkinglethisheadfallononeside,andgivingadeepsigh,exclaimed,“Ah,whoresonrogue,howcatholicitis!”
“There,yousee,“saidheoftheGrove,hearingSancho'sexclamation,“howyouhavecalledthiswinewhoresonbywayofpraise。“
“Well,“saidSancho,“Iownit,andIgrantitisnodishonourtocallanyonewhoresonwhenitistobeunderstoodaspraise。Buttellme,senor,bywhatyoulovebest,isthisCiudadRealwine?”
“Orarewine-taster!”saidheoftheGrove;“nowhereelseindeeddoesitcomefrom,andithassomeyears'agetoo。“
“Leavemealoneforthat,“saidSancho;“neverfearbutI'llhitupontheplaceitcamefromsomehow。Whatwouldyousay,sirsquire,tomyhavingsuchagreatnaturalinstinctinjudgingwinesthatyouhaveonlytoletmesmelloneandIcantellpositivelyitscountry,itskind,itsflavourandsoundness,thechangesitwillundergo,andeverythingthatappertainstoawine?Butitisnowonder,forI
havehadinmyfamily,onmyfather'sside,thetwobestwine-tastersthathavebeenknowninLaManchaformanyalongyear,andtoproveitI'lltellyounowathingthathappenedthem。Theygavethetwoofthemsomewineoutofacask,totry,askingtheiropinionastothecondition,quality,goodnessorbadnessofthewine。
Oneofthemtrieditwiththetipofhistongue,theotherdidnomorethanbringittohisnose。Thefirstsaidthewinehadaflavourofiron,thesecondsaidithadastrongerflavourofcordovan。Theownersaidthecaskwasclean,andthatnothinghadbeenaddedtothewinefromwhichitcouldhavegotaflavourofeitherironorleather。
Nevertheless,thesetwogreatwine-tastersheldtowhattheyhadsaid。
Timewentby,thewinewassold,andwhentheycametocleanoutthecask,theyfoundinitasmallkeyhangingtoathongofcordovan;seenowifonewhocomesofthesamestockhasnotarighttogivehisopinioninsuchlikecases。“
“Therefore,Isay,“saidheoftheGrove,“letusgiveupgoinginquestofadventures,andaswehaveloavesletusnotgolookingforcakes,butreturntoourcribs,forGodwillfindusthereifitbehiswill。“
“UntilmymasterreachesSaragossa,“saidSancho,“I'llremaininhisservice;afterthatwe'llsee。“
Theendofitwasthatthetwosquirestalkedsomuchanddranksomuchthatsleephadtotietheirtonguesandmoderatetheirthirst,fortoquenchitwasimpossible;andsothepairofthemfellasleepclingingtothenownearlyemptybotaandwithhalf-chewedmorselsintheirmouths;andtherewewillleavethemforthepresent,torelatewhatpassedbetweentheKnightoftheGroveandhimoftheRuefulCountenance。
CHAPTERXIV
WHEREINISCONTINUEDTHEADVENTUREOFTHEKNIGHTOFTHEGROVE
AMONGthethingsthatpassedbetweenDonQuixoteandtheKnightoftheWood,thehistorytellsusheoftheGrovesaidtoDonQuixote,“Infine,sirknight,Iwouldhaveyouknowthatmydestiny,or,moreproperlyspeaking,mychoiceledmetofallinlovewiththepeerlessCasildeadeVandalia。Icallherpeerlessbecauseshehasnopeer,whetheritbeinbodilystatureorinthesupremacyofrankandbeauty。ThissameCasildea,then,thatIspeakof,requitedmyhonourablepassionandgentleaspirationsbycompellingme,ashisstepmotherdidHercules,toengageinmanyperilsofvarioussorts,attheendofeachpromisingmethat,withtheendofthenext,theobjectofmyhopesshouldbeattained;butmylabourshavegoneonincreasinglinkbylinkuntiltheyarepastcounting,nordoIknowwhatwillbethelastonethatistobethebeginningoftheaccomplishmentofmychastedesires。OnoneoccasionshebademegoandchallengethefamousgiantessofSeville,LaGiraldabyname,whoisasmightyandstrongasifmadeofbrass,andthoughneverstirringfromonespot,isthemostrestlessandchangeablewomanintheworld。Icame,Isaw,Iconquered,andImadeherstayquietandbehaveherself,fornothingbutnorthwindsblewformorethanaweek。
AnothertimeIwasorderedtoliftthoseancientstones,themightybullsofGuisando,anenterprisethatmightmorefitlybeentrustedtoportersthantoknights。Again,shebademeflingmyselfintothecavernofCabra-anunparalleledandawfulperil-andbringheraminuteaccountofallthatisconcealedinthosegloomydepths。I
stoppedthemotionoftheGiralda,IliftedthebullsofGuisando,I
flungmyselfintothecavernandbroughttolightthesecretsofitsabyss;andmyhopesareasdeadasdeadcanbe,andherscornandhercommandsaslivelyasever。Tobebrief,lastofallshehascommandedmetogothroughalltheprovincesofSpainandcompelalltheknights-errantwanderingthereintoconfessthatshesurpassesallwomenaliveto-dayinbeauty,andthatIamthemostvaliantandthemostdeeplyenamouredknightonearth;insupportofwhichclaimI
havealreadytravelledoverthegreaterpartofSpain,andhavetherevanquishedseveralknightswhohavedaredtocontradictme;
butwhatImostplumeandpridemyselfuponishavingvanquishedinsinglecombatthatsofamousknightDonQuixoteofLaMancha,andmadehimconfessthatmyCasildeaismorebeautifulthanhisDulcinea;
andinthisonevictoryIholdmyselftohaveconqueredalltheknightsintheworld;forthisDonQuixotethatIspeakofhasvanquishedthemall,andIhavingvanquishedhim,hisglory,hisfame,andhishonourhavepassedandaretransferredtomyperson;forThemorethevanquishedhathoffairrenown,Thegreaterglorygildsthevictor'scrown。
ThustheinnumerableachievementsofthesaidDonQuixotearenowsetdowntomyaccountandhavebecomemine。“
DonQuixotewasamazedwhenheheardtheKnightoftheGrove,andwasathousandtimesonthepointoftellinghimhelied,andhadtheliedirectalreadyonthetipofhistongue;butherestrainedhimselfaswellashecould,inordertoforcehimtoconfesstheliewithhisownlips;sohesaidtohimquietly,“Astowhatyousay,sirknight,abouthavingvanquishedmostoftheknightsofSpain,orevenofthewholeworld,Isaynothing;butthatyouhavevanquishedDonQuixoteofLaManchaIconsiderdoubtful;itmayhavebeensomeotherthatresembledhim,althoughtherearefewlikehim。“
“How!notvanquished?”saidheoftheGrove;“bytheheaventhatisaboveusIfoughtDonQuixoteandovercamehimandmadehimyield;andheisamanoftallstature,gauntfeatures,long,lanklimbs,withhairturninggrey,anaquilinenoseratherhooked,andlargeblackdroopingmoustaches;hedoesbattleunderthenameof'TheCountenance,'andhehasforsquireapeasantcalledSanchoPanza;
hepressestheloinsandrulesthereinsofafamoussteedcalledRocinante;andlastly,hehasforthemistressofhiswillacertainDulcineadelToboso,onceuponatimecalledAldonzaLorenzo,justasIcallmineCasildeadeVandaliabecausehernameisCasildaandsheisofAndalusia。IfallthesetokensarenotenoughtovindicatethetruthofwhatIsay,hereismysword,thatwillcompelincredulityitselftogivecredencetoit。“
“Calmyourself,sirknight,“saidDonQuixote,“andgiveeartowhatIamabouttosaytoyou。you。IwouldhaveyouknowthatthisDonQuixoteyouspeakofisthegreatestfriendIhaveintheworld;somuchsothatImaysayIregardhiminthesamelightasmyownperson;andfromthepreciseandclearindicationsyouhavegivenI
cannotbutthinkthathemustbetheveryoneyouhavevanquished。
Ontheotherhand,Iseewithmyeyesandfeelwithmyhandsthatitisimpossibleitcanhavebeenthesame;unlessindeeditbethat,ashehasmanyenemieswhoareenchanters,andoneinparticularwhoisalwayspersecutinghim,someoneofthesemayhavetakenhisshapeinordertoallowhimselftobevanquished,soastodefraudhimofthefamethathisexaltedachievementsasaknighthaveearnedandacquiredforhimthroughouttheknownworld。Andinconfirmationofthis,Imusttellyou,too,thatitisbuttenhourssincethesesaidenchantershisenemiestransformedtheshapeandpersonofthefairDulcineadelTobosointoafoulandmeanvillagelass,andinthesamewaytheymusthavetransformedDonQuixote;andifallthisdoesnotsufficetoconvinceyouofthetruthofwhatIsay,hereisDonQuixotehimself,whowillmaintainitbyarms,onfootoronhorsebackorinanywayyouplease。“
Andsosayinghestoodupandlaidhishandonhissword,waitingtoseewhattheKnightoftheGrovewoulddo,whoinanequallycalmvoicesaidinreply,“Pledgesdon'tdistressagoodpayer;hewhohassucceededinvanquishingyouoncewhentransformed,SirDonQuixote,mayfairlyhopetosubdueyouinyourownpropershape;butasitisnotbecomingforknightstoperformtheirfeatsofarmsinthedark,likehighwaymenandbullies,letuswaittilldaylight,thatthesunmaybeholdourdeeds;andtheconditionsofourcombatshallbethatthevanquishedshallbeatthevictor'sdisposal,todoallthathemayenjoin,providedtheinjunctionbesuchasshallbebecomingaknight。“
“Iammorethansatisfiedwiththeseconditionsandterms,“
repliedDonQuixote;andsosaying,theybetookthemselvestowheretheirsquireslay,andfoundthemsnoring,andinthesameposturetheywereinwhensleepfelluponthem。Theyrousedthemup,andbadethemgetthehorsesready,asatsunrisetheyweretoengageinabloodyandarduoussinglecombat;atwhichintelligenceSanchowasaghastandthunderstruck,tremblingforthesafetyofhismasterbecauseofthemightydeedshehadheardthesquireoftheGroveascribetohis;butwithoutawordthetwosquireswentinquestoftheircattle;forbythistimethethreehorsesandtheasshadsmeltoneanotherout,andwerealltogether。
Ontheway,heoftheGrovesaidtoSancho,“Youmustknow,brother,thatitisthecustomwiththefightingmenofAndalusia,whentheyaregodfathersinanyquarrel,nottostandidlewithfoldedarmswhiletheirgodsonsfight;Isaysotoremindyouthatwhileourmastersarefighting,we,too,havetofight,andknockoneanothertoshivers。“
“Thatcustom,sirsquire,“repliedSancho,“mayholdgoodamongthosebulliesandfightingmenyoutalkof,butcertainlynotamongthesquiresofknights-errant;atleast,Ihaveneverheardmymasterspeakofanycustomofthesort,andheknowsallthelawsofknight-errantrybyheart;butgrantingittruethatthereisanexpresslawthatsquiresaretofightwhiletheirmastersarefighting,Idon'tmeantoobeyit,buttopaythepenaltythatmaybelaidonpeacefullymindedsquireslikemyself;forIamsureitcannotbemorethantwopoundsofwax,andIwouldratherpaythat,forIknowitwillcostmelessthanthelintIshallbeattheexpenseoftomendmyhead,whichIlookuponasbrokenandsplitalready;there'sanotherthingthatmakesitimpossibleformetofight,thatIhavenosword,forInevercarriedoneinmylife。“
“Iknowagoodremedyforthat,“saidheoftheGrove;“Ihaveheretwolinenbagsofthesamesize;youshalltakeone,andItheother,andwewillfightatbagblowswithequalarms。“
“Ifthat'stheway,sobeitwithallmyheart,“saidSancho,“forthatsortofbattlewillservetoknockthedustoutofusinsteadofhurtingus。“
“Thatwillnotdo,“saidtheother,“forwemustputintothebags,tokeepthewindfromblowingthemaway,halfadozennicesmoothpebbles,allofthesameweight;andinthiswayweshallbeabletobasteoneanotherwithoutdoingourselvesanyharmormischief。“
“Bodyofmyfather!”saidSancho,“seewhatmartenandsable,andpadsofcardedcottonheisputtingintothebags,thatourheadsmaynotbebrokenandourbonesbeatentojelly!Buteveniftheyarefilledwithtosssilk,Icantellyou,senor,Iamnotgoingtofight;letourmastersfight,that'stheirlookout,andletusdrinkandlive;fortimewilltakecaretoeaseusofourlives,withoutourgoingtolookforfillipssothattheymaybefinishedoffbeforetheirpropertimecomesandtheydropfromripeness。“
“Still,“returnedheoftheGrove,“wemustfight,ifitbeonlyforhalfanhour。“
“Bynomeans,“saidSancho;“Iamnotgoingtobesodiscourteousorsoungratefulastohaveanyquarrel,beiteversosmall,withoneIhaveeatenanddrunkwith;besides,whothedevilcouldbringhimselftofightincoldblood,withoutangerorprovocation?”
“Icanremedythatentirely,“saidheoftheGrove,“andinthisway:beforewebeginthebattle,Iwillcomeuptoyourworshipfairandsoftly,andgiveyouthreeorfourbuffets,withwhichIshallstretchyouatmyfeetandrouseyouranger,thoughitweresleepingsounderthanadormouse。“
“Tomatchthatplan,“saidSancho,“Ihaveanotherthatisnotawhitbehindit;Iwilltakeacudgel,andbeforeyourworshipcomesnearenoughtowakenmyangerIwillsendyourssosoundtosleepwithwhacks,thatitwon'twakenunlessitbeintheotherworld,whereitisknownthatIamnotamantoletmyfacebehandledbyanyone;
leteachlookoutforthearrow-thoughthesurerwaywouldbetoleteveryone'sangersleep,fornobodyknowstheheartofanyone,andamanmaycomeforwoolandgobackshorn;Godgavehisblessingtopeaceandhiscursetoquarrels;ifahuntedcat,surroundedandhardpressed,turnsintoalion,GodknowswhatI,whoamaman,mayturninto;andsofromthistimeforthIwarnyou,sirsquire,thatalltheharmandmischiefthatmaycomeofourquarrelwillbeputdowntoyouraccount。“
“Verygood,“saidheoftheGrove;“Godwillsendthedawnandweshallbeallright。“
Andnowgay-plumagedbirdsofallsortsbegantowarbleinthetrees,andwiththeirvariedandgladsomenotesseemedtowelcomeandsalutethefreshmornthatwasbeginningtoshowthebeautyofhercountenanceatthegatesandbalconiesoftheeast,shakingfromherlocksaprofusionofliquidpearls;inwhichdulcetmoisturebathed,theplants,too,seemedtoshedandshowerdownapearlyspray,thewillowsdistilledsweetmanna,thefountainslaughed,thebrooksbabbled,thewoodsrejoiced,andthemeadowsarrayedthemselvesinalltheirgloryathercoming。Buthardlyhadthelightofdaymadeitpossibletoseeanddistinguishthings,whenthefirstobjectthatpresenteditselftotheeyesofSanchoPanzawasthesquireoftheGrove'snose,whichwassobigthatitalmostovershadowedhiswholebody。Itis,infact,stated,thatitwasofenormoussize,hookedinthemiddle,coveredwithwarts,andofamulberrycolourlikeanegg-plant;ithungdowntwofingers'lengthbelowhismouth,andthesize,thecolour,thewarts,andthebendofit,madehisfacesohideous,thatSancho,ashelookedathim,begantotremblehandandfootlikeachildinconvulsions,andhevowedinhishearttolethimselfbegiventwohundredbuffets,soonerthanbeprovokedtofightthatmonster。DonQuixoteexaminedhisadversary,andfoundthathealreadyhadhishelmetonandvisorlowered,sothathecouldnotseehisface;heobserved,however,thathewasasturdilybuiltman,butnotverytallinstature。Overhisarmourheworeasurcoatorcassockofwhatseemedtobethefinestclothofgold,allbespangledwithglitteringmirrorslikelittlemoons,whichgavehimanextremelygallantandsplendidappearance;abovehishelmetflutteredagreatquantityofplumes,green,yellow,andwhite,andhislance,whichwasleaningagainstatree,wasverylongandstout,andhadasteelpointmorethanapalminlength。
DonQuixoteobservedall,andtooknoteofall,andfromwhathesawandobservedheconcludedthatthesaidknightmustbeamanofgreatstrength,buthedidnotforallthatgivewaytofear,likeSanchoPanza;onthecontrary,withacomposedanddauntlessair,hesaidtotheKnightoftheMirrors,“If,sirknight,yourgreateagernesstofighthasnotbanishedyourcourtesy,byitIwouldentreatyoutoraiseyourvisoralittle,inorderthatImayseeifthecomelinessofyourcountenancecorrespondswiththatofyourequipment。“
“Whetheryoucomevictoriousorvanquishedoutofthisemprise,sirknight,“repliedheoftheMirrors,“youwillhavemorethanenoughtimeandleisuretoseeme;andifnowIdonotcomplywithyourrequest,itisbecauseitseemstomeIshoulddoaseriouswrongtothefairCasildeadeVandaliainwastingtimewhileIstoppedtoraisemyvisorbeforecompellingyoutoconfesswhatyouarealreadyawareImaintain。“
“Wellthen,“saidDonQuixote,“whilewearemountingyoucanatleasttellmeifIamthatDonQuixotewhomyousaidyouvanquished。“
“Tothatweansweryou,“saidheoftheMirrors,“thatyouareasliketheveryknightIvanquishedasoneeggislikeanother,butasyousayenchanterspersecuteyou,Iwillnotventuretosaypositivelywhetheryouarethesaidpersonornot。“
“That,“saidDonQuixote,“isenoughtoconvincemethatyouareunderadeception;however,entirelytorelieveyouofit,letourhorsesbebrought,andinlesstimethanitwouldtakeyoutoraiseyourvisor,ifGod,mylady,andmyarmstandmeingoodstead,I
shallseeyourface,andyoushallseethatIamnotthevanquishedDonQuixoteyoutakemetobe。“
Withthis,cuttingshortthecolloquy,theymounted,andDonQuixotewheeledRocinanteroundinordertotakeaproperdistancetochargebackuponhisadversary,andheoftheMirrorsdidthesame;butDonQuixotehadnotmovedawaytwentypaceswhenheheardhimselfcalledbytheother,and,eachreturninghalf-way,heoftheMirrorssaidtohim,“Remember,sirknight,thatthetermsofourcombatare,thatthevanquished,asIsaidbefore,shallbeatthevictor'sdisposal。“
“Iamawareofitalready,“saidDonQuixote;“providedwhatiscommandedandimposeduponthevanquishedbethingsthatdonottransgressthelimitsofchivalry。“
“Thatisunderstood,“repliedheoftheMirrors。
AtthismomenttheextraordinarynoseofthesquirepresenteditselftoDonQuixote'sview,andhewasnolessamazedthanSanchoatthesight;insomuchthathesethimdownasamonsterofsomekind,orahumanbeingofsomenewspeciesorunearthlybreed。Sancho,seeinghismasterretiringtorunhiscourse,didnotliketobeleftalonewiththenosyman,fearingthatwithoneflapofthatnoseonhisownthebattlewouldbealloverforhimandhewouldbeleftstretchedontheground,eitherbythebloworwithfright;soheranafterhismaster,holdingontoRocinante'sstirrup-leather,andwhenitseemedtohimtimetoturnabout,hesaid,“Iimploreofyourworship,senor,beforeyouturntocharge,tohelpmeupintothiscorktree,fromwhichIwillbeabletowitnessthegallantencounteryourworshipisgoingtohavewiththisknight,moretomytasteandbetterthanfromtheground。“
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