Don Quixtote Abridged

TheIngeniousGentlemanDonQuixote
delaMancha
byMigueldeCervantes[Saavedra]
TranslatedbyJohnOrmsby
EditedbyPatriciaGarrison
ii
THE AUTHORS PREFACE

Idle reader: thou mayest believe me without any oath that I would this book, as it is
the child of my brain, were the fairest, gayest, and cleverest that could be imagined.
But I could not counteract Natures law that everything shall beget its like; and what,
then, could this sterile, ill-tilled wit of mine beget but the story of a dry, shriveled,
whimsical offspring, full of thoughts of all sorts and such as never came into any
other imagination just what might be begotten in a prison, where every misery is
lodged and every doleful sound makes its dwelling? Tranquility, a cheerful retreat,
pleasant fields, bright skies, murmuring brooks, peace of mind, these are the things
that go far to make even the most barren muses fertile, and bring into the world
births that fill it with wonder and delight. Sometimes when a father has an ugly,
loutish son, the love he bears him so blindfolds his eyes that he does not see his
defects, or, rather, takes them for gifts and charms of mind and body, and talks of
them to his friends as wit and grace. I, however for though I pass for the father, I
am but the stepfather to Don Quixote have no desire to go with the current of
custom, or to implore thee, dearest reader, almost with tears in my eyes, as others
do, to pardon or excuse the defects thou wilt perceive in this child of mine. Thou art
neither its kinsman nor its friend, thy soul is thine own and thy will as free as any
mans, whateer he be, thou art in thine own house and master of it as much as the
king of his taxes and thou knowest the common saying, Under my cloak I kill the
king; all which exempts and frees thee from every consideration and obligation,
and thou canst say what thou wilt of the story without fear of being abused for any
ill or rewarded for any good thou mayest say of it.
My wish would be simply to present it to thee plain and unadorned, without any
embellishment of preface or uncountable muster of customary sonnets, epigrams,
and eulogies, such as are commonly put at the beginning of books. For I can tell thee,
though composing it cost me some labour, I found none greater than the making of
this Preface thou art now reading. Many times did I take up my pen to write it, and
-iii-
manydidIlayitdownagain,notknowingwhattowrite.Oneofthesetimes,asIwas
ponderingwiththepaperbeforeme,apeninmyear,myelbowonthedesk,andmy
cheekinmyhand,thinkingofwhatIshouldsay,therecameinunexpectedlya
certainlively,cleverfriendofmine,who,seeingmesodeepinthought,askedthe
reason;towhichI,makingnomysteryofit,answeredthatIwasthinkingofthe
PrefaceIhadtomakeforthestoryofDonQuixote,whichsotroubledmethatIhad
amindnottomakeanyatall,norevenpublishtheachievementsofsonoblea
knight.
For,howcouldyouexpectmenottofeeluneasyaboutwhatthatancientlawgiver
theycallthePublicwillsaywhenitseesme,afterslumberingsomanyyearsinthe
silenceofoblivion,comingoutnowwithallmyyearsuponmyback,andwithabook
asdryasarush,devoidofinvention,meagerinstyle,poorinthoughts,wholly
wantinginlearningandwisdom,withoutquotationsinthemarginorannotationsat
theend,afterthefashionofotherbooksIsee,which,thoughallfablesandprofanity,
aresofullofmaximsfromAristotle,andPlato,andthewholeherdofphilosophers,
thattheyfillthereaderswithamazementandconvincethemthattheauthorsare
menoflearning,erudition,andeloquence.Andthen,whentheyquotetheHoly
Scriptures!anyonewouldsaytheyareSt.Thomasesorotherdoctorsofthe
Church,observingastheydoadecorumsoingeniousthatinonesentencethey
describeadistractedloverandinthenextdeliveradevoutlittlesermonthatitisa
pleasureandatreattohearandread.Ofallthistherewillbenothinginmybook,for
Ihavenothingtoquoteinthemarginortonoteattheend,andstilllessdoIknow
whatauthorsIfollowinit,toplacethematthebeginning,asalldo,undertheletters
A,B,C,beginningwithAristotleandendingwithXenophon,orZoilus,orZeuxis,
thoughonewasaslandererandtheotherapainter.Alsomybookmustdowithout
sonnetsatthebeginning,atleastsonnetswhoseauthorsaredukes,marquises,
counts,bishops,ladies,orfamouspoets.ThoughifIweretoasktwoorthree
obligingfriends,Iknowtheywouldgivemethem,andsuchastheproductionsof
iv
thosethathavethehighestreputationinourSpaincouldnotequal.
Inshort,myfriend,Icontinued,IamdeterminedthatSeorDonQuixoteshall
remainburiedinthearchivesofhisownLaManchauntilHeavenprovidesomeone
togarnishhimwithallthosethingshestandsinneedof;becauseIfindmyself,
throughmyshallownessandwantoflearning,unequaltosupplyingthem,and
becauseIambynatureshyandcarelessabouthuntingforauthorstosaywhatI
myselfcansaywithoutthem.Hencethecogitationandabstractionyoufoundmein,
andreasonenough,whatyouhaveheardfromme.
Hearingthis,myfriend,givinghimselfaslapontheforeheadandbreakingintoa
heartylaugh,exclaimed,BeforeGod,Brother,nowamIdisabusedofanerrorin
whichIhavebeenlivingallthislongtimeIhaveknownyou,allthroughwhichI
havetakenyoutobeshrewdandsensibleinallyoudo;butnowIseeyouareasfar
fromthatastheheavenisfromtheearth.Itispossiblethatthingsofsolittle
momentandsoeasytosetrightcanoccupyandperplexaripewitlikeyours,fitto
breakthroughandcrushfargreaterobstacles?Bymyfaith,thiscomes,notofany
wantofability,butoftoomuchindolenceandtoolittleknowledgeoflife.Doyou
wanttoknowifIamtellingthetruth?Well,then,attendtome,andyouwillseehow,
intheopeningandshuttingofaneye,Isweepawayallyourdifficulties,andsupply
allthosedeficiencieswhichyousaycheckanddiscourageyoufrombringingbefore
theworldthestoryofyourfamousDonQuixote,thelightandmirrorofallknight
errantry.
Sayon,saidI,listeningtohistalk;howdoyouproposetomakeupformy
diffidence,andreducetoorderthischaosofperplexityIamin?
Towhichhemadeanswer,Yourfirstdifficultyaboutthesonnets,epigrams,or
complimentaryverseswhichyouwantforthebeginning,andwhichoughttobeby
personsofimportanceandrank,canberemovedifyouyourselftakealittletrouble
tomakethem;youcanafterwardsbaptizethem,andputanynameyouliketothem,
fatheringthemonPresterJohnoftheIndiesortheEmperorofTrebizond,who,to
v
myknowledge,weresaidtohavebeenfamouspoets:andeveniftheywerenot,and
anypedantsorbachelorsshouldattackyouandquestionthefact,nevercaretwo
maravedisforthat,foreveniftheyprovealieagainstyoutheycannotcutoffthe
handyouwroteitwith.
Astoreferencesinthemargintothebooksandauthorsfromwhomyoutakethe
aphorismsandsayingsyouputintoyourstory,itisonlycontrivingtofitinnicely
anysentencesorscrapsofLatinyoumayhappentohavebyheart,oratanyrate
thatwillnotgiveyoumuchtroubletolookup;soas,whenyouspeakoffreedom
andcaptivity,toinsert
Nonbeneprototolibertasvenditurauro;
andthenreferinthemargintoHorace,orwhoeversaidit;or,ifyoualludetothe
powerofdeath,tocomeinwith
PallidamorsAequopulsatpedepauperumtabernas,
Regumqueturres.
IfitbefriendshipandtheloveGodbidsusbeartoourenemy,goatoncetotheHoly
Scriptures,whichyoucandowithaverysmallamountofresearch,andquoteno
lessthanthewordsofGodhimself:Egoautemdicovobis:diligiteinimicosvestros.If
youspeakofevilthoughts,turntotheGospel:Decordeexeuntcogitationesmalae.If
oftheficklenessoffriends,thereisCato,whowillgiveyouhisdistich:
Donecerisfelixmultosnumerabisamicos,
Temporasifuerintnubila,soluseris.
WiththeseandsuchlikebitsofLatintheywilltakeyouforagrammarianatall
events,andthatnowadaysisnosmallhonourandprofit.
Withregardtoaddingannotationsattheendofthebook,youmaysafelydoitin
thisway.Ifyoumentionanygiantinyourbookcontrivethatitshallbethegiant
Goliath,andwiththisalone,whichwillcostyoualmostnothing,youhaveagrand
vi
note,foryoucanputThegiantGoliasorGoliathwasaPhilistinewhomthe
shepherdDavidslewbyamightystonecastintheTerebinthvalley,asisrelatedin
theBookofKingsinthechapterwhereyoufinditwritten.
Next,toproveyourselfamanoferuditioninpoliteliteratureandcosmography,
managethattheriverTagusshallbenamedinyourstory,andthereyouareatonce
withanotherfamousannotation,settingforthTheriverTaguswassocalledaftera
KingofSpain:ithasitssourceinsuchandsuchaplaceandfallsintotheocean,
kissingthewallsofthefamouscityofLisbon,anditisacommonbeliefthatithas
goldensands,etc.Ifyoushouldhaveanythingtodowithrobbers,Iwillgiveyouthe
storyofCacus,forIhaveitbyheart;ifwithloosewomen,thereistheBishopof
Mondonedo,whowillgiveyoutheloanofLamia,Laida,andFlora,anyreferenceto
whomwillbringyougreatcredit;ifwithhardheartedones,Ovidwillfurnishyou
withMedea;ifwithwitchesorenchantresses,HomerhasCalypso,andVirgilCirce;if
withvaliantcaptains,JuliusCaesarhimselfwilllendyouhimselfinhisown
Commentaries,andPlutarchwillgiveyouathousandAlexanders.Ifyoushould
dealwithlove,withtwoouncesyoumayknowofTuscanyoucangotoLeonthe
Hebrew,whowillsupplyyoutoyourheartscontent;orifyoushouldnotcaretogo
toforeigncountriesyouhaveathomeFonsecasOftheLoveofGod,inwhichis
condensedallthatyouorthemostimaginativemindcanwantonthesubject.In
short,allyouhavetodoistomanagetoquotethesenames,orrefertothesestories
Ihavementioned,andleaveittometoinserttheannotationsandquotations,andI
swearbyallthatsgoodtofillyourmarginsanduseupfoursheetsattheendofthe
book.
Nowletuscometothosereferencestoauthorswhichotherbookshave,andyou
wantforyours.Theremedyforthisisverysimple:Youhaveonlytolookoutfor
somebookthatquotesthemall,fromAtoZasyousayyourself,andtheninsertthe
verysamealphabetinyourbook,andthoughtheimpositionmaybeplaintosee,
vii
becauseyouhavesolittleneedtoborrowfromthem,thatisnomatter;therewill
probablybesomesimpleenoughtobelievethatyouhavemadeuseofthemallin
thisplain,artlessstoryofyours.Atanyrate,ifitanswersnootherpurpose,thislong
catalogueofauthorswillservetogiveasurprisinglookofauthoritytoyourbook.
Besides,noonewilltroublehimselftoverifywhetheryouhavefollowedthemor
whetheryouhavenot,beingnowayconcernedinit;especiallyas,ifImistakenot,
thisbookofyourshasnoneedofanyoneofthosethingsyousayitwants,foritis,
frombeginningtoend,anattackuponthebooksofchivalry,ofwhichAristotlenever
dreamt,norSt.Basilsaidaword,norCicerohadanyknowledge;nordotheniceties
oftruthnortheobservationsofastrologycomewithintherangeofitsfanciful
vagaries;norhavegeometricalmeasurementsorrefutationsoftheargumentsused
inrhetoricanythingtodowithit;nordoesitmeantopreachtoanybody,mixingup
thingshumananddivine,asortofmotleyinwhichnoChristianunderstanding
shoulddressitself.Ithasonlytoavailitselfoftruthtonatureinitscomposition,and
themoreperfecttheimitationthebettertheworkwillbe.Andasthispieceofyours
aimsatnothingmorethantodestroytheauthorityandinfluencewhichbooksof
chivalryhaveintheworldandwiththepublic,thereisnoneedforyoutogoa
beggingforaphorismsfromphilosophers,preceptsfromHolyScripture,fablesfrom
poets,speechesfromorators,ormiraclesfromsaints;butmerelytotakecarethat
yourstyleanddictionrunmusically,pleasantly,andplainly,withclear,proper,and
wellplacedwords,settingforthyourpurposetothebestofyourpower,andputting
yourideasintelligibly,withoutconfusionorobscurity.Strive,too,thatinreading
yourstorythemelancholymaybemovedtolaughter,andthemerrymademerrier
still;thatthesimpleshallnotbewearied,thatthejudiciousshalladmirethe
invention,thatthegraveshallnotdespiseit,northewisefailtopraiseit.Finally,
keepyouraimfixedonthedestructionofthatillfoundededificeofthebooksof
chivalry,hatedbysomeandpraisedbymanymore;forifyousucceedinthisyou
willhaveachievednosmallsuccess.
InprofoundsilenceIlistenedtowhatmyfriendsaid,andhisobservationsmade
viii
suchanimpressiononmethat,withoutattemptingtoquestionthem,Iadmitted
theirsoundness,andoutofthemIdeterminedtomakethisPreface;wherein,gentle
reader,thouwiltperceivemyfriendsgoodsense,mygoodfortuneinfindingsuch
anadviserinsuchatimeofneed,andwhatthouhastgainedinreceiving,without
additionoralteration,thestoryofthefamousDonQuixoteofLaMancha,whois
heldbyalltheinhabitantsofthedistrictoftheCampodeMontieltohavebeenthe
chastestloverandthebravestknightthathasformanyyearsbeenseeninthat
neighborhood.IhavenodesiretomagnifytheserviceIrendertheeinmakingthee
acquaintedwithsorenownedandhonoredaknight,butIdodesirethythanksfor
theacquaintancethouwiltmakewiththefamousSanchoPanza,hissquire,in
whom,tomythinking,Ihavegiventheecondensedallthesquirelydrolleriesthat
arescatteredthroughtheswarmofthevainbooksofchivalry.AndsomayGod
givetheehealth,andnotforgetme.Vale.
DEDICATIONOFVOLUMEI
TOTHEDUKEOFBEJAR,MARQUISOFGIBRALEON,COUNTOFBENALCAZARAND
BANARES,VICECOUNTOFTHEPUEBLADEALCOCER,MASTEROFTHETOWNSOF
CAPILLA,CURIELANDBURGUILLOS
InbeliefofthegoodreceptionandhonorsthatYourExcellencybestowsonallsort
ofbooks,asprincesoinclinedtofavorgoodarts,chieflythosewhobytheir
noblenessdonotsubmittotheserviceandbriberyofthevulgar,Ihavedetermined
bringingtolightTheIngeniousGentlemanDonQuixoteoflaMancha,inshelterof
YourExcellencysglamorousname,towhom,withtheobeisanceIowetosuch
grandeur,Ipraytoreceiveitagreeablyunderhisprotection,sothatinthisshadow,
thoughdeprivedofthatpreciousornamentofeleganceanderuditionthatclothethe
workscomposedinthehousesofthosewhoknow,itdaresappearwithassurancein
thejudgmentofsomewho,trespassingtheboundsoftheirownignorance,useto
ix
condemnwithmorerigorandlessjusticethewritingsofothers.Itismyearnest
hopethatYourExcellencysgoodcounselinregardtomyhonorablepurpose,will
notdisdainthelittlenessofsohumbleaservice.
MigueldeCervantes
DonQuixotedelaMancha
VOLUMEI
CHAPTERI
WHICHTREATSOFTHECHARACTERANDPURSUITSOFTHEFAMOUS
GENTLEMANDONQUIXOTEOFLAMANCHA
InavillageofLaMancha,thenameofwhichIhavenodesiretocalltomind,there
livednotlongsinceoneofthosegentlementhatkeepalanceinthelancerack,an
oldbuckler,aleanhack,andagreyhoundforcoursing.Anollaofrathermorebeef
thanmutton,asaladonmostnights,scrapsonSaturdays,lentilsonFridays,anda
pigeonorsoextraonSundays,madeawaywiththreequartersofhisincome.The
restofitwentinadoubletoffineclothandvelvetbreechesandshoestomatchfor
holidays,whileonweekdayshemadeabravefigureinhisbesthomespun.Hehad
inhishouseahousekeeperpastforty,anieceundertwenty,andaladforthefield
andmarketplace,whousedtosaddlethehackaswellashandlethebillhook.The
ageofthisgentlemanofourswasborderingonfifty;hewasofahardyhabit,spare,
gauntfeatured,averyearlyriserandagreatsportsman.Theywillhaveithis
surnamewasQuixadaorQuesada(forherethereissomedifferenceofopinion
amongtheauthorswhowriteonthesubject),althoughfromreasonableconjectures
itseemsplainthathewascalledQuexana.This,however,isofbutlittleimportance
toourtale;itwillbeenoughnottostrayahair'sbreadthfromthetruthinthetelling
ofit.
Youmustknow,then,thattheabovenamedgentlemanwheneverhewasatleisure
(whichwasmostlyalltheyearround)gavehimselfuptoreadingbooksofchivalry
withsuchardorandaviditythathealmostentirelyneglectedthepursuitofhisfield
sports,andeventhemanagementofhisproperty;andtosuchapitchdidhis
eagernessandinfatuationgothathesoldmanyanacreoftillagelandtobuybooks
2
ofchivalrytoread,andbroughthomeasmanyofthemashecouldget.Butofall
therewerenonehelikedsowellasthoseofthefamousFelicianodeSilva's1
composition,fortheirlucidityofstyleandcomplicatedconceitswereaspearlsinhis
sight,particularlywheninhisreadinghecameuponcourtshipsandcartels,where
heoftenfoundpassageslike"thereasonoftheunreasonwithwhichmyreasonis
afflictedsoweakensmyreasonthatwithreasonImurmuratyourbeauty;"oragain,
"thehighheavens,thatofyourdivinitydivinelyfortifyyouwiththestars,renderyou
deservingofthedesertyourgreatnessdeserves."Overconceitsofthissortthepoor
gentlemanlosthiswits,andusedtolieawakestrivingtounderstandthemand
wormthemeaningoutofthem;whatAristotlehimselfcouldnothavemadeoutor
extractedhadhecometolifeagainforthatspecialpurpose.Hewasnotatalleasy
aboutthewoundswhichDonBelianisgaveandtook,becauseitseemedtohimthat,
greataswerethesurgeonswhohadcuredhim,hemusthavehadhisfaceandbody
coveredalloverwithseamsandscars.Hecommended,however,theauthor'sway
ofendinghisbookwiththepromiseofthatinterminableadventure,andmanya
timewashetemptedtotakeuphispenandfinishitproperlyasisthereproposed,
whichnodoubthewouldhavedone,andmadeasuccessfulpieceofworkofittoo,
hadnotgreaterandmoreabsorbingthoughtspreventedhim.
Manyanargumentdidhehavewiththecurateofhisvillage(alearnedman,anda
graduateofSiguenza)astowhichhadbeenthebetterknight,PalmerinofEngland
orAmadisofGaul.MasterNicholas,thevillagebarber,however,usedtosaythat
neitherofthemcameuptotheKnightofPhoebus,andthatiftherewasanythat
couldcomparewithhimitwasDonGalaor,thebrotherofAmadisofGaul,because
hehadaspiritthatwasequaltoeveryoccasion,andwasnofinicalknight,nor
lachrymoselikehisbrother,whileinthematterofvalorhewasnotawhitbehind
him.Inshort,hebecamesoabsorbedinhisbooksthathespenthisnightsfrom
sunsettosunrise,andhisdaysfromdawntodark,poringoverthem;andwhatwith
littlesleepandmuchreadinghisbrainsgotsodrythathelosthiswits.Hisfancy
1Asixteenthcenturyauthorofromances;thequotationthatfollowsisfromhisDon
FloriseldeNiquea
grewfullofwhatheusedtoreadaboutinhisbooks,enchantments,quarrels,
battles,challenges,wounds,wooings,loves,agonies,andallsortsofimpossible
nonsense;anditsopossessedhismindthatthewholefabricofinventionandfancy
hereadofwastrue,thattohimnohistoryintheworldhadmorerealityinit.He
usedtosaytheCidRuyDiazwasaverygoodknight,butthathewasnottobe
comparedwiththeKnightoftheBurningSwordwhowithonebackstrokecutin
halftwofierceandmonstrousgiants.HethoughtmoreofBernardodelCarpio
becauseatRoncesvallesheslewRolandinspiteofenchantments2,availinghimself
oftheartificeofHerculeswhenhestrangledAntaeus3thesonofTerrainhisarms.
HeapprovedhighlyofthegiantMorgante,because,althoughofthegiantbreed
whichisalwaysarrogantandillconditioned,healonewasaffableandwellbred.
ButaboveallheadmiredReinaldosofMontalban,especiallywhenhesawhim
sallyingforthfromhiscastleandrobbingeveryonehemet,andwhenbeyondthe
seashestolethatimageofMahometwhich,ashishistorysays,wasentirelyofgold.
TohaveaboutofkickingatthattraitorofaGanelonhewouldhavegivenhis
housekeeper,andhisnieceintothebargain.
Inshort,hiswitsbeingquitegone,hehituponthestrangestnotionthatever
madmaninthisworldhitupon,andthatwasthathefancieditwasrightand
requisite,aswellforthesupportofhisownhonorasfortheserviceofhiscountry,
thatheshouldmakeaknighterrantofhimself,roamingtheworldoverinfullarmor
andonhorsebackinquestofadventures,andputtinginpracticehimselfallthathe
hadreadofasbeingtheusualpracticesofknightserrant;rightingeverykindof
wrong,andexposinghimselftoperilanddangerfromwhich,intheissue,hewasto
reapeternalrenownandfame.Alreadythepoormansawhimselfcrownedbythe
mightofhisarmEmperorofTrebizondatleast;andso,ledawaybytheintense
enjoymenthefoundinthesepleasantfancies,hesethimselfforthwithtoputhis
schemeintoexecution.
2Rolandhadthemagicgiftofinvulnerability
3ThemythologicalAntaeuswasinvulnerableaslongashemaintainedcontactwith
hismother,theEarth.
Thefirstthinghedidwastocleanupsomearmorthathadbelongedtohisgreat
grandfather,andhadbeenforageslyingforgotteninacornereatenwithrustand
coveredwithmildew.Hescouredandpolisheditasbesthecould,butheperceived
onegreatdefectinit,thatithadnoclosedhelmet,nothingbutasimplemorion.This
deficiency,however,hisingenuitysupplied,forhecontrivedakindofhalfhelmetof
pasteboardwhich,fittedontothemorion,lookedlikeawholeone.Itistruethat,in
ordertoseeifitwasstrongandfittostandacut,hedrewhisswordandgaveita
coupleofslashes,thefirstofwhichundidinaninstantwhathadtakenhimaweek
todo.Theeasewithwhichhehadknockedittopiecesdisconcertedhimsomewhat,
andtoguardagainstthatdangerhesettoworkagain,fixingbarsofirononthe
insideuntilhewassatisfiedwithitsstrength;andthen,notcaringtotryanymore
experimentswithit,hepasseditandadopteditasahelmetofthemostperfect
construction.
Henextproceededtoinspecthishack,which,withmorequartosthanareal4and
moreblemishesthanthesteedofGonela,that"tantumpellisetossafuit,5"surpassed
inhiseyestheBucephalusofAlexanderortheBabiecaoftheCid.Fourdayswere
spentinthinkingwhatnametogivehim,because(ashesaidtohimself)itwasnot
rightthatahorsebelongingtoaknightsofamous,andonewithsuchmeritsofhis
own,shouldbewithoutsomedistinctivename,andhestrovetoadaptitsoasto
indicatewhathehadbeenbeforebelongingtoaknighterrant,andwhathethen
was;foritwasonlyreasonablethat,hismastertakinganewcharacter,heshould
takeanewname,andthatitshouldbeadistinguishedandfullsoundingone,
befittingtheneworderandcallinghewasabouttofollow.Andso,afterhaving
composed,struckout,rejected,addedto,unmade,andremadeamultitudeofnames
outofhismemoryandfancy,hedecideduponcallinghimRocinante,aname,tohis
4Acoin(aboutfivecents);aquartowasoneeighthofareal.
5Wassomuchskinandbones.
thinking,lofty,sonorous,andsignificantofhisconditionasahack6beforehe
becamewhathenowwas,thefirstandforemostofallthehacksintheworld.
Havinggotanameforhishorsesomuchtohistaste,hewasanxioustogetonefor
himself,andhewaseightdaysmoreponderingoverthispoint,tillatlasthemade
uphismindtocallhimself"DonQuixote,"whence,ashasbeenalreadysaid,the
authorsofthisveracioushistoryhaveinferredthathisnamemusthavebeen
beyondadoubtQuixada,andnotQuesadaasotherswouldhaveit.Recollecting,
however,thatthevaliantAmadiswasnotcontenttocallhimselfcurtlyAmadisand
nothingmore,butaddedthenameofhiskingdomandcountrytomakeitfamous,
andcalledhimselfAmadisofGaul,he,likeagoodknight,resolvedtoaddonthe
nameofhis,andtostylehimselfDonQuixoteofLaMancha,whereby,heconsidered,
hedescribedaccuratelyhisoriginandcountry,anddidhonortoitintakinghis
surnamefromit.
Sothen,hisarmorbeingfurbished,hismorionturnedintoahelmet,hishack
christened,andhehimselfconfirmed,hecametotheconclusionthatnothingmore
wasneedednowbuttolookoutforaladytobeinlovewith;foraknighterrant
withoutlovewaslikeatreewithoutleavesorfruit,orabodywithoutasoul.Ashe
saidtohimself,"If,formysins,orbymygoodfortune,Icomeacrosssomegiant
hereabouts,acommonoccurrencewithknightserrant,andoverthrowhiminone
onslaught,orcleavehimasundertothewaist,or,inshort,vanquishandsubduehim,
willitnotbewelltohavesomeoneImaysendhimtoasapresent,thathemay
comeinandfallonhiskneesbeforemysweetlady,andinahumble,submissive
voicesay,'IamthegiantCaraculiambro,lordoftheislandofMalindrania,
vanquishedinsinglecombatbytheneversufficientlyextolledknightDonQuixoteof
LaMancha,whohascommandedmetopresentmyselfbeforeyourGrace,thatyour
Highnessdisposeofmeatyourpleasure'?"Oh,howourgoodgentlemanenjoyedthe
deliveryofthisspeech,especiallywhenhehadthoughtofsomeonetocallhisLady!
6Anag;inSpanish,arocin.
6
Therewas,sothestorygoes,inavillagenearhisownaverygoodlookingfarmgirl
withwhomhehadbeenatonetimeinlove,though,sofarasisknown,shenever
knewitnorgaveathoughttothematter.HernamewasAldonzaLorenzo,andupon
herhethoughtfittoconferthetitleofLadyofhisThoughts;andaftersomesearch
foranamewhichshouldnotbeoutofharmonywithherown,andshouldsuggest
andindicatethatofaprincessandgreatlady,hedecideduponcallingherDulcinea
delTobososhebeingofElTobosoaname,tohismind,musical,uncommon,and
significant,likeallthosehehadalreadybestoweduponhimselfandthethings
belongingtohim.
CHAPTERII
WHICHTREATSOFTHEFIRSTSALLYTHEINGENIOUSDONQUIXOTEMADE
FROMHOME
Thesepreliminariessettled,hedidnotcaretoputoffanylongertheexecutionofhis
design,urgedontoitbythethoughtofalltheworldwaslosingbyhisdelay,seeing
whatwrongsheintendedtoright,grievancestoredress,injusticestorepair,abuses
toremove,anddutiestodischarge.So,withoutgivingnoticeofhisintentionto
anyone,andwithoutanybodyseeinghim,onemorningbeforethedawningofthe
day(whichwasoneofthehottestofthemonthofJuly)hedonnedhissuitofarmor,
mountedRocinantewithhispatcheduphelmeton,bracedhisbuckler,tookhis
lance,andbythebackdooroftheyardsalliedforthupontheplaininthehighest
contentmentandsatisfactionatseeingwithwhateasehehadmadeabeginning
withhisgrandpurpose.Butscarcelydidhefindhimselfupontheopenplain,whena
terriblethoughtstruckhim,oneallbutenoughtomakehimabandontheenterprise
attheveryoutset.Itoccurredtohimthathehadnotbeendubbedaknight,andthat
accordingtothelawofchivalryheneithercouldnoroughttobeararmsagainstany
knight;andthatevenifhehadbeen,stillheought,asanoviceknight,towearwhite
armor,withoutadeviceupontheshielduntilbyhisprowesshehadearnedone.
Thesereflectionsmadehimwaverinhispurpose,buthiscrazebeingstrongerthan
anyreasoning,hemadeuphismindtohavehimselfdubbedaknightbythefirstone
hecameacross,followingtheexampleofothersinthesamecase,ashehadreadin
thebooksthatbroughthimtothispass.Asforwhitearmor,heresolved,onthefirst
opportunity,toscourhisuntilitwaswhiterthananermine;andsocomforting
himselfhepursuedhisway,takingthatwhichhishorsechose,forinthishebelieved
laytheessenceofadventures.
Thussettingout,ournewfledgedadventurerpacedalong,talkingtohimselfand
saying,"Whoknowsbutthatintimetocome,whentheveracioushistoryofmy
8
famousdeedsismadeknown,thesagewhowritesit,whenhehastosetforthmy
firstsallyintheearlymorning,willdoitafterthisfashion?'Scarcehadtherubicund
Apollospreado'erthefaceofthebroadspaciousearththegoldenthreadsofhis
brighthair,scarcehadthelittlebirdsofpaintedplumageattunedtheirnotestohail
withdulcetandmellifluousharmonythecomingoftherosyDawn,that,deserting
thesoftcouchofherjealousspouse,wasappearingtomortalsatthegatesand
balconiesoftheMancheganhorizon,whentherenownedknightDonQuixoteofLa
Mancha,quittingthelazydown,mountedhiscelebratedsteedRocinanteandbegan
totraversetheancientandfamousCampodeMontiel;7'"whichinfacthewas
actuallytraversing."Happytheage,happythetime,"hecontinued,"inwhichshall
bemadeknownmydeedsoffame,worthytobemoldedinbrass,carvedinmarble,
limnedinpictures,foramemorialforever.Andthou,Osagemagician,whoever
thouart,towhomitshallfalltobethechroniclerofthiswondroushistory,forget
not,Ientreatthee,mygoodRocinante,theconstantcompanionofmywaysand
wanderings."Presentlyhebrokeoutagain,asifhewerelovestrickeninearnest,"O
PrincessDulcinea,ladyofthiscaptiveheart,agrievouswronghastthoudonemeto
drivemeforthwithscorn,andwithinexorableobduracybanishmefromthe
presenceofthybeauty.Olady,deigntoholdinremembrancethisheart,thyvassal,
thatthusinanguishpinesforloveofthee."
Sohewentonstringingtogethertheseandotherabsurdities,allinthestyleofthose
hisbookshadtaughthim,imitatingtheirlanguageaswellashecould;andallthe
whileherodesoslowlyandthesunmountedsorapidlyandwithsuchfervorthatit
wasenoughtomelthisbrainsifhehadany.Nearlyalldayhetraveledwithout
anythingremarkablehappeningtohim,atwhichhewasindespair,forhewas
anxioustoencountersomeoneatonceuponwhomtotrythemightofhisstrong
arm.
7Famousbecauseithadbeenthesceneofabattlein1369.
WriterstherearewhosaythefirstadventurehemetwithwasthatofPuertoLapice;
otherssayitwasthatofthewindmills;butwhatIhaveascertainedonthispoint,
andwhatIhavefoundwrittenintheannalsofLaMancha,isthathewasontheroad
allday,andtowardsnightfallhishackandhefoundthemselvesdeadtiredand
hungry,when,lookingallaroundtoseeifhecoulddiscoveranycastleorshepherd's
shantywherehemightrefreshhimselfandrelievehissorewants,heperceivednot
faroutofhisroadaninn,whichwasaswelcomeasastarguidinghimtotheportals,
ifnotthepalaces,ofhisredemption;andquickeninghispacehereacheditjustas
nightwassettingin.Atthedoorwerestandingtwoyoungwomen,girlsofthe
districtastheycallthem,ontheirwaytoSevillewithsomecarrierswhohad
chancedtohaltthatnightattheinn;andas,happenwhatmighttoouradventurer,
everythinghesaworimagedseemedtohimtobeandtohappenafterthefashionof
whathereadof,themomenthesawtheinnhepicturedittohimselfasacastlewith
itsfourturretsandpinnaclesofshiningsilver,notforgettingthedrawbridgeand
moatandallthebelongingsusuallyascribedtocastlesofthesort.Tothisinn,which
tohimseemedacastle,headvanced,andatashortdistancefromithechecked
Rocinante,hopingthatsomedwarfwouldshowhimselfuponthebattlements,and
bysoundoftrumpetgivenoticethataknightwasapproachingthecastle.Butseeing
thattheywereslowaboutit,andthatRocinantewasinahurrytoreachthestable,
hemadefortheinndoor,andperceivedthetwogaydamselswhowerestanding
there,andwhoseemedtohimtobetwofairmaidensorlovelyladiestakingtheir
easeatthecastlegate.
Atthismomentitsohappenedthataswineherdwhowasgoingthroughthe
stubblescollectingadroveofpigs(for,withoutanyapology,thatiswhattheyare
called)gaveablastofhishorntobringthemtogether,andforthwithitseemedto
DonQuixotetobewhathewasexpecting,thesignalofsomedwarfannouncinghis
arrival;andsowithprodigioussatisfactionherodeuptotheinnandtotheladies,
who,seeingamanofthissortapproachinginfullarmorandwithlanceandbuckler,
wereturningindismayintotheinn,whenDonQuixote,guessingtheirfearbytheir
flight,raisinghispasteboardvisor,disclosedhisdrydustyvisage,andwith
10
courteousbearingandgentlevoiceaddressedthem,"Yourladyshipsneednotflyor
fearanyrudeness,forthatitbelongsnottotheorderofknighthoodwhichIprofess
tooffertoanyone,muchlesstohighbornmaidensasyourappearanceproclaims
youtobe."Thegirlswerelookingathimandstrainingtheireyestomakeoutthe
featureswhichtheclumsyvisorobscured,butwhentheyheardthemselvescalled
maidens,athingsomuchoutoftheirline,theycouldnotrestraintheirlaughter,
whichmadeDonQuixotewaxindignant,andsay,"Modestybecomesthefair,and
moreoverlaughterthathaslittlecauseisgreatsilliness;this,however,Isaynotto
painorangeryou,formydesireisnoneotherthantoserveyou."
Theincomprehensiblelanguageandtheunpromisinglooksofourcavalieronly
increasedtheladies'laughter,andthatincreasedhisirritation,andmattersmight
havegonefartherifatthatmomentthelandlordhadnotcomeout,who,beinga
veryfatman,wasaverypeacefulone.He,seeingthisgrotesquefigurecladinarmor
thatdidnotmatchanymorethanhissaddle,bridle,lance,buckler,orcorselet,was
notatallindisposedtojointhedamselsintheirmanifestationsofamusement;but,
intruth,standinginaweofsuchacomplicatedarmament,hethoughtitbestto
speakhimfairly,sohesaid,"SeorCaballero,ifyourworshipwantslodging,bating
thebed(forthereisnotoneintheinn)thereisplentyofeverythingelsehere."Don
Quixote,observingtherespectfulbearingoftheAlcaideofthefortress(forso
innkeeperandinnseemedinhiseyes),madeanswer,"SirCastellan8,forme
anythingwillsuffice,for
'Myarmorismyonlywear,
Myonlyrestthefight.'"
ThehostfanciedhecalledhimCastellanbecausehetookhimfora"worthyof
Castile,"thoughhewasinfactanAndalusian,andonefromthestrandofSanLucar,
8Theoriginalcastellano,meantbothcastellanandCastilian.
11
ascraftyathiefasCacus9andasfulloftricksasastudentorapage."Inthatcase,"
saidhe,
"'Yourbedisontheflintyrock,
Yoursleeptowatchallnight;'
andifso,youmaydismountandsafelyreckonuponanyquantityofsleeplessness
underthisroofforatwelvemonth,nottosayforasinglenight."Sosaying,he
advancedtoholdthestirrupforDonQuixote,whogotdownwithgreatdifficulty
andexertion(forhehadnotbrokenhisfastallday),andthenchargedthehostto
takegreatcareofhishorse,ashewasthebestbitoffleshthateveratebreadinthis
world.ThelandlordeyedhimoverbutdidnotfindhimasgoodasDonQuixotesaid,
norevenhalfasgood;andputtinghimupinthestable,hereturnedtoseewhat
mightbewantedbyhisguest,whomthedamsels,whohadbythistimemadetheir
peacewithhim,werenowrelievingofhisarmor.Theyhadtakenoffhisbreastplate
andbackpiece,buttheyneitherknewnorsawhowtoopenhisgorgetorremovehis
makeshifthelmet,forhehadfasteneditwithgreenribbons,which,astherewasno
untyingtheknots,requiredtobecut.This,however,hewouldnotbyanymeans
consentto,soheremainedalltheeveningwithhishelmeton,thedrollestand
oddestfigurethatcanbeimagined;andwhiletheywereremovinghisarmor,taking
thebaggageswhowereaboutitforladiesofhighdegreebelongingtothecastle,he
saidtothemwithgreatsprightliness:
"Oh,never,surely,wasthereknight
Soservedbyhandofdame,
Asservedwashe,DonQuixotehight,
Whenfromhistownhecame;
Withmaidenswaitingonhimself,
Princessesonhishack
9InRomanmythology,hestolesomeofthecattleofHercules,concealingthetheft
byhavingthemwalkbackwardintohiscave,butwasfinallydiscoveredandslain.
12
orRocinante,forthat,ladiesmine,ismyhorse'sname,andDonQuixoteofLa
Manchaismyown;forthoughIhadnointentionofdeclaringmyselfuntilmy
achievementsinyourserviceandhonorhadmademeknown,thenecessityof
adaptingthatoldballadofLancelottothepresentoccasionhasgivenyouthe
knowledgeofmynamealtogetherprematurely.Atime,however,willcomeforyour
ladyshipstocommandandmetoobey,andthenthemightofmyarmwillshowmy
desiretoserveyou."
Thegirls,whowerenotusedtohearingrhetoricofthissort,hadnothingtosayin
reply;theyonlyaskedhimifhewantedanythingtoeat."Iwouldgladlyeatabitof
something,"saidDonQuixote,"forIfeelitwouldcomeveryseasonably."Theday
happenedtobeaFriday,andinthewholeinntherewasnothingbutsomepiecesof
thefishtheycallinCastile"abadejo,"inAndalusia"bacallao,"andinsomeplaces
"curadillo,"andinothers"troutlet;"sotheyaskedhimifhethoughthecouldeat
troutlet,fortherewasnootherfishtogivehim."Iftherebetroutletsenough,"said
DonQuixote,"theywillbethesamethingasatrout;foritisallonetomewhetherI
amgiveneightrealsinsmallchangeorapieceofeight;moreover,itmaybethat
thesetroutletsarelikeveal,whichisbetterthanbeef,orkid,whichisbetterthan
goat.Butwhateveritbeletitcomequickly,fortheburdenandpressureofarms
cannotbebornewithoutsupporttotheinside."Theylaidatableforhimatthedoor
oftheinnforthesakeoftheair,andthehostbroughthimaportionofillsoakedand
worsecookedstockfish,andapieceofbreadasblackandmoldyashisownarmor;
butalaughablesightitwastoseehimeating,forhavinghishelmetonandthe
beaverup,hecouldnotwithhisownhandsputanythingintohismouthunless
someoneelseplaceditthere,andthisserviceoneoftheladiesrenderedhim.Butto
givehimanythingtodrinkwasimpossible,orwouldhavebeensohadnotthe
landlordboredareed,andputtingoneendinhismouthpouredthewineintohim
throughtheother;allwhichheborewithpatienceratherthansevertheribbonsof
hishelmet.
13
Whilethiswasgoingontherecameuptotheinnasowgelder,who,ashe
approached,soundedhisreedpipefourorfivetimes,andtherebycompletely
convincedDonQuixotethathewasinsomefamouscastle,andthattheywere
regalinghimwithmusic,andthatthestockfishwastrout,thebreadthewhitest,the
wenchesladies,andthelandlordthecastellanofthecastle;andconsequentlyhe
heldthathisenterpriseandsallyhadbeentosomepurpose.Butstillitdistressed
himtothinkhehadnotbeendubbedaknight,foritwasplaintohimhecouldnot
lawfullyengageinanyadventurewithoutreceivingtheorderofknighthood.
14
CHAPTERIII
WHEREINISRELATEDTHEDROLLWAYINWHICHDONQUIXOTEHADHIMSELF
DUBBEDAKNIGHT
Harassedbythisreflection,hemadehastewithhisscantypothousesupper,and
havingfinisheditcalledthelandlord,andshuttinghimselfintothestablewithhim,
fellonhiskneesbeforehim,saying,"FromthisspotIrisenot,valiantknight,until
yourcourtesygrantsmetheboonIseek,onethatwillredoundtoyourpraiseand
thebenefitofthehumanrace."Thelandlord,seeinghisguestathisfeetandhearing
aspeechofthiskind,stoodstaringathiminbewilderment,notknowingwhattodo
orsay,andentreatinghimtorise,butalltonopurposeuntilhehadagreedtogrant
theboondemandedofhim."Ilookedfornoless,mylord,fromyourHigh
Magnificence,"repliedDonQuixote,"andIhavetotellyouthattheboonIhave
askedandyourliberalityhasgrantedisthatyoushalldubmeknighttomorrow
morning,andthattonightIshallwatchmyarmsinthechapelofthisyourcastle;
thustomorrow,asIhavesaid,willbeaccomplishedwhatIsomuchdesire,enabling
melawfullytoroamthroughallthefourquartersoftheworldseekingadventures
onbehalfofthoseindistress,asisthedutyofchivalryandofknightserrantlike
myself,whoseambitionisdirectedtosuchdeeds."
Thelandlord,who,ashasbeenmentioned,wassomethingofawag,andhadalready
somesuspicionofhisguest'swantofwits,wasquiteconvincedofitonhearingtalk
ofthiskindfromhim,andtomakesportforthenighthedeterminedtofallinwith
hishumor.Sohetoldhimhewasquiterightinpursuingtheobjecthehadinview,
andthatsuchamotivewasnaturalandbecomingincavaliersasdistinguishedashe
seemedandhisgallantbearingshowedhimtobe;andthathehimselfinhisyounger
dayshadfollowedthesamehonorablecalling,roaminginquestofadventuresin
variouspartsoftheworld,amongotherstheCuringgroundsofMalaga,theIslesof
15
Riaran,thePrecinctofSeville,theLittleMarketofSegovia,theOliveraofValencia,
theRondillaofGranada,theStrandofSanLucar,theColtofCordova,theTavernsof
Toledo,anddiversotherquarters10,wherehehadprovedthenimblenessofhisfeet
andthelightnessofhisfingers,doingmanywrongs,cheatingmanywidows,ruining
maidsandswindlingminors,and,inshort,bringinghimselfunderthenoticeof
almosteverytribunalandcourtofjusticeinSpain;untilatlasthehadretiredtothis
castleofhis,wherehewaslivinguponhispropertyanduponthatofothers;and
wherehereceivedallknightserrantofwhateverrankorconditiontheymightbe,
allforthegreatloveheborethemandthattheymightsharetheirsubstancewith
himinreturnforhisbenevolence.Hetoldhim,moreover,thatinthiscastleofhis
therewasnochapelinwhichhecouldwatchhisarmor,asithadbeenpulleddown
inordertoberebuilt,butthatinacaseofnecessityitmight,heknew,bewatched
anywhere,andhemightwatchitthatnightinacourtyardofthecastle,andinthe
morning,Godwilling,therequisiteceremoniesmightbeperformedsoastohave
himdubbedaknight,andsothoroughlydubbedthatnobodycouldbemoreso.He
askedifhehadanymoneywithhim,towhichDonQuixoterepliedthathehadnota
farthing,asinthehistoriesofknightserranthehadneverreadofanyofthem
carryingany.Onthispointthelandlordtoldhimhewasmistaken;for,thoughnot
recordedinthehistories,becauseintheauthor'sopiniontherewasnoneedto
mentionanythingsoobviousandnecessaryasmoneyandcleanshirts,itwasnotto
besupposedthereforethattheydidnotcarrythem,andhemightregarditas
certainandestablishedthatallknightserrant(aboutwhomthereweresomanyfull
andunimpeachablebooks)carriedwellfurnishedpursesincaseofemergency,and
likewisecarriedshirtsandalittleboxofointmenttocurethewoundstheyreceived.
Forinthoseplainsanddesertswheretheyengagedincombatandcameout
wounded,itwasnotalwaysthattherewassomeonetocurethem,unlessindeed
theyhadforafriendsomesagemagiciantosuccorthematoncebyfetchingthrough
theairuponacloudsomedamselordwarfwithavialofwaterofsuchvirtuethatby
tastingonedropofittheywerecuredoftheirhurtsandwoundsinaninstantand
10Alltheplacesmentionedwerereputedtobethehauntsofrobbersandrogues.
16
leftassoundasiftheyhadnotreceivedanydamagewhatever.Butincasethis
shouldnotoccur,theknightsofoldtookcaretoseethattheirsquireswereprovided
withmoneyandotherrequisites,suchaslintandointmentsforhealingpurposes;
andwhenithappenedthatknightshadnosquires(whichwasrarelyandseldomthe
case)theythemselvescarriedeverythingincunningsaddlebagsthatwerehardly
seenonthehorse'scroup,asifitweresomethingelseofmoreimportance,because,
unlessforsomesuchreason,carryingsaddlebagswasnotveryfavorablyregarded
amongknightserrant.Hethereforeadvisedhim(and,ashisgodsonsosoontobe,
hemightevencommandhim)neverfromthattimeforthtotravelwithoutmoney
andtheusualrequirements,andhewouldfindtheadvantageofthemwhenheleast
expectedit.
DonQuixotepromisedtofollowhisadvicescrupulously,anditwasarranged
forthwiththatheshouldwatchhisarmorinalargeyardatonesideoftheinn;so,
collectingitalltogether,DonQuixoteplaceditonatroughthatstoodbythesideofa
well,andbracinghisbuckleronhisarmhegraspedhislanceandbeganwitha
statelyairtomarchupanddowninfrontofthetrough,andashebeganhismarch
nightbegantofall.
Thelandlordtoldallthepeoplewhowereintheinnaboutthecrazeofhisguest,the
watchingofthearmor,andthedubbingceremonyhecontemplated.Fullofwonder
atsostrangeaformofmadness,theyflockedtoseeitfromadistance,andobserved
withwhatcomposurehesometimespacedupanddown,orsometimes,leaningon
hislance,gazedonhisarmorwithouttakinghiseyesoffitforeversolong;andas
thenightclosedinwithalightfromthemoonsobrilliantthatitmightviewithhis
thatlentit,everythingthenoviceknightdidwasplainlyseenbyall.
Meanwhileoneofthecarrierswhowereintheinnthoughtfittowaterhisteam,and
itwasnecessarytoremoveDonQuixote'sarmorasitlayonthetrough;buthe
seeingtheotherapproachhailedhiminaloudvoice,"Othou,whoeverthouart,
rashknightthatcomesttolayhandsonthearmorofthemostvalorouserrantthat
17
evergirtonsword,haveacarewhatthoudost;touchitnotunlessthouwouldstlay
downthylifeasthepenaltyofthyrashness."Thecarriergavenoheedtothese
words(andhewouldhavedonebettertoheedthemifhehadbeenheedfulofhis
health),butseizingitbythestrapsflungthearmorsomedistancefromhim.Seeing
this,DonQuixoteraisedhiseyestoheaven,andfixinghisthoughts,apparently,
uponhisladyDulcinea,exclaimed,"Aidme,ladymine,inthisthefirstencounter
thatpresentsitselftothisbreastwhichthouholdestinsubjection;letnotthyfavor
andprotectionfailmeinthisfirstjeopardy;"and,withthesewordsandothersto
thesamepurpose,droppinghisbucklerheliftedhislancewithbothhandsandwith
itsmotesuchablowonthecarrier'sheadthathestretchedhimontheground,so
stunnedthathadhefolloweditupwithasecondtherewouldhavebeennoneedof
asurgeontocurehim.Thisdone,hepickeduphisarmorandreturnedtohisvigil
withthesameserenityasbefore.
Shortlyafterthis,another,notknowingwhathadhappened(forthecarrierstilllay
senseless),camewiththesameobjectofgivingwatertohismules,andwas
proceedingtoremovethearmorinordertoclearthetrough,whenDonQuixote,
withoututteringawordorimploringaidfromanyone,oncemoredroppedhis
bucklerandoncemoreliftedhislance,andwithoutactuallybreakingthesecond
carrier'sheadintopieces,mademorethanthreeofit,forhelaiditopeninfour.11At
thenoiseallthepeopleoftheinnrantothespot,andamongthemthelandlord.
Seeingthis,DonQuixotebracedhisbuckleronhisarm,andwithhishandonhis
swordexclaimed,"OLadyofBeauty,strengthandsupportofmyfaintheart,itis
timefortheetoturntheeyesofthygreatnessonthisthycaptiveknightonthebrink
ofsomightyanadventure."Bythishefelthimselfsoinspiredthathewouldnot
haveflinchedifallthecarriersintheworldhadassailedhim.Thecomradesofthe
woundedperceivingtheplighttheywereinbeganfromadistancetoshowerstones
onDonQuixote,whoscreenedhimselfasbesthecouldwithhisbuckler,notdaring
toquitthetroughandleavehisarmorunprotected.Thelandlordshoutedtothemto
11Thisisafigureofspeech;aswhenwesaysomebodykickedbutt,wedontmean
itliterally.
18
leavehimalone,forhehadalreadytoldthemthathewasmad,andasamadmanhe
wouldnotbeaccountableevenifhekilledthemall.StillloudershoutedDon
Quixote,callingthemknavesandtraitors,andthelordofthecastle,whoallowed
knightserranttobetreatedinthisfashion,avillainandalowbornknightwhom,
hadhereceivedtheorderofknighthood,hewouldcalltoaccountforhistreachery.
"Butofyou,"hecried,"baseandvilerabble,Imakenoaccount;fling,strike,come
on,doallyecanagainstme,yeshallseewhattherewardofyourfollyandinsolence
willbe."Thisheutteredwithsomuchspiritandboldnessthathefilledhisassailants
withaterriblefear,andasmuchforthisreasonasatthepersuasionofthelandlord
theyleftoffstoninghim,andheallowedthemtocarryoffthewounded,andwith
thesamecalmnessandcomposureasbeforeresumedthewatchoverhisarmor.
Butthesefreaksofhisguestwerenotmuchtothelikingofthelandlord,sohe
determinedtocutmattersshortandconferuponhimatoncetheunluckyorderof
knighthoodbeforeanyfurthermisadventurecouldoccur;so,goinguptohim,he
apologizedfortherudenesswhich,withouthisknowledge,hadbeenofferedtohim
bytheselowpeople,who,however,hadbeenwellpunishedfortheiraudacity.Ashe
hadalreadytoldhim,hesaid,therewasnochapelinthecastle,norwasitneeded
forwhatremainedtobedone,for,asheunderstoodtheceremonialoftheorder,the
wholepointofbeingdubbedaknightlayintheaccoladeandintheslaponthe
shoulder,andthatcouldbeadministeredinthemiddleofafield;andthathehad
nowdoneallthatwasneedfulastowatchingthearmor,forallrequirementswere
satisfiedbyawatchoftwohoursonly,whilehehadbeenmorethanfouraboutit.
DonQuixotebelieveditall,andtoldhimhestoodtherereadytoobeyhim,andto
makeanendofitwithasmuchdespatch12aspossible;for,ifhewereagainattacked,
andfelthimselftobedubbedknight,hewouldnot,hethought,leaveasoulalivein
thecastle,exceptsuchasoutofrespecthemightspareathisbidding.
Thuswarnedandmenaced,thecastellanforthwithbroughtoutabookinwhichhe
usedtoenterthestrawandbarleyheservedouttothecarriers,and,withalad
12Efficiency
19
carryingacandleend,andthetwodamselsalreadymentioned,hereturnedto
whereDonQuixotestood,andbadehimkneeldown.Then,readingfromhis
accountbookasifhewererepeatingsomedevoutprayer,inthemiddleofhis
deliveryheraisedhishandandgavehimasturdyblowontheneck,andthen,with
hisownsword,asmartslapontheshoulder,allthewhilemutteringbetweenhis
teethasifhewassayinghisprayers.Havingdonethis,hedirectedoneoftheladies
togirdonhissword,whichshedidwithgreatselfpossessionandgravity,andnota
littlewasrequiredtopreventaburstoflaughterateachstageoftheceremony;but
whattheyhadalreadyseenofthenoviceknight'sprowesskepttheirlaughter
withinbounds.Ongirdinghimwiththeswordtheworthyladysaidtohim,"May
Godmakeyourworshipaveryfortunateknight,andgrantyousuccessinbattle."
DonQuixoteaskedhernameinorderthathemightfromthattimeforwardknowto
whomhewasbeholdenforthefavorhehadreceived,ashemeanttoconferupon
hersomeportionofthehonorheacquiredbythemightofhisarm.Sheanswered
withgreathumilitythatshewascalledLaTolosa,andthatshewasthedaughterofa
cobblerofToledowholivedinthestallsofSanchobienaya13,andthatwherevershe
mightbeshewouldserveandesteemhimasherlord.DonQuixotesaidinreplythat
shewoulddohimafavorifthenceforwardsheassumedthe"Don"andcalledherself
DonaTolosa.Shepromisedshewould,andthentheotherbuckledonhisspur,and
withherfollowedalmostthesameconversationaswiththeladyofthesword.He
askedhername,andshesaiditwasLaMolinera,andthatshewasthedaughterofa
respectablemillerofAntequera;andofherlikewiseDonQuixoterequestedthatshe
wouldadoptthe"Don"andcallherselfDonaMolinera,makingofferstoherfurther
servicesandfavors.
Havingthus,withhothasteandspeed,broughttoaconclusionthesenevertillnow
seenceremonies,DonQuixotewasonthornsuntilhesawhimselfonhorseback
sallyingforthinquestofadventures;andsaddlingRocinanteatoncehemounted,
andembracinghishost,ashereturnedthanksforhiskindnessinknightinghim,he
13AnoldsquareinToledo.
20
addressedhiminlanguagesoextraordinarythatitisimpossibletoconveyanideaof
itorreportit.Thelandlord,togethimoutoftheinn,repliedwithnolessrhetoric
thoughwithshorterwords,andwithoutcallinguponhimtopaythereckoninglet
himgowithaGodspeed.
21
CHAPTERIV
OFWHATHAPPENEDTOOURKNIGHTWHENHELEFTTHEINN
DaywasdawningwhenDonQuixotequittedtheinn,sohappy,sogay,so
exhilaratedatfindinghimselfnowdubbedaknight,thathisjoywasliketobursthis
horsegirths.However,recallingtheadviceofhishostastotherequisitesheought
tocarrywithhim,especiallythatreferringtomoneyandshirts,hedeterminedtogo
homeandprovidehimselfwithall,andalsowithasquire,forhereckonedupon
securingafarmlaborer,aneighborofhis,apoormanwithafamily,butverywell
qualifiedfortheofficeofsquiretoaknight.Withthisobjectheturnedhishorse's
headtowardshisvillage,andRocinante,thusremindedofhisoldquarters,stepped
outsobrisklythathehardlyseemedtotreadtheearth.
Hehadnotgonefar,whenoutofathicketonhisrightthereseemedtocomefeeble
criesasofsomeoneindistress,andtheinstantheheardthemheexclaimed,
"Thanksbetoheavenforthefavoritaccordsme,thatitsosoonoffersmean
opportunityoffulfillingtheobligationIhaveundertaken,andgatheringthefruitof
myambition.Thesecries,nodoubt,comefromsomemanorwomaninwantofhelp,
andneedingmyaidandprotection;"andwheeling,heturnedRocinanteinthe
directionwhencethecriesseemedtoproceed.Hehadgonebutafewpacesintothe
wood,whenhesawamaretiedtoanoak,andtiedtoanother,andstrippedfromthe
waistupwards,ayouthofaboutfifteenyearsofage,fromwhomthecriescame.Nor
weretheywithoutcause,foralustyfarmerwasflogginghimwithabeltand
followingupeveryblowwithscoldingsandcommands,repeating,"Yourmouthshut
andyoureyesopen!"whiletheyouthmadeanswer,"Iwon'tdoitagain,master
mine;byGod'spassionIwon'tdoitagain,andI'lltakemorecareoftheflock
anothertime."
22
Seeingwhatwasgoingon,DonQuixotesaidinanangryvoice,"Discourteousknight,
itillbecomesyoutoassailonewhocannotdefendhimself;mountyoursteedand
takeyourlance"(fortherewasalanceleaningagainsttheoaktowhichthemare
wastied),"andIwillmakeyouknowthatyouarebehavingasacoward."The
farmer,seeingbeforehimthisfigureinfullarmorbrandishingalanceoverhishead,
gavehimselfupfordead,andmadeanswermeekly,"SirKnight,thisyouththatIam
chastisingismyservant,employedbymetowatchaflockofsheepthatIhavehard
by,andheissocarelessthatIloseoneeveryday,andwhenIpunishhimforhis
carelessnessandknaveryhesaysIdoitoutofniggardliness,toescapepayinghim
thewagesIowehim,andbeforeGod,andonmysoul,helies."
"Liesbeforeme,baseclown!"saidDonQuixote."BythesunthatshinesonusIhave
amindtorunyouthroughwiththislance.Payhimatoncewithoutanotherword;if
not,bytheGodthatrulesusIwillmakeanendofyou,andannihilateyouonthe
spot;releasehiminstantly."
Thefarmerhunghishead,andwithoutaworduntiedhisservant,ofwhomDon
Quixoteaskedhowmuchhismasterowedhim.
Hereplied,ninemonthsatsevenrealsamonth.DonQuixoteaddeditup,foundthat
itcametosixtythreereals,andtoldthefarmertopayitdownimmediately,ifhedid
notwanttodieforit.
Thetremblingclownrepliedthatashelivedandbytheoathhehadsworn(though
hehadnotswornany)itwasnotsomuch;forthereweretobetakenintoaccount
anddeductedthreepairsofshoeshehadgivenhim,andarealfortwoblood
lettingswhenhewassick.14
14Barberswerealsosurgeons.
23
"Allthatisverywell,"saidDonQuixote;"butlettheshoesandthebloodlettings
standasasetoffagainsttheblowsyouhavegivenhimwithoutanycause;forifhe
spoiledtheleatheroftheshoesyoupaidfor,youhavedamagedthatofhisbody,and
ifthebarbertookbloodfromhimwhenhewassick,youhavedrawnitwhenhewas
sound;soonthatscoreheowesyounothing."
"Thedifficultyis,SirKnight,thatIhavenomoneyhere;letAndrescomehomewith
me,andIwillpayhimall,realbyreal."
"Igowithhim!"saidtheyouth."Nay,Godforbid!No,seor,notfortheworld;for
oncealonewithme,hewouldraymelikeaSaintBartholomew."
"Hewilldonothingofthekind,"saidDonQuixote;"Ihaveonlytocommand,andhe
willobeyme;andashehassworntomebytheorderofknighthoodwhichhehas
received,Ileavehimfree,andIguaranteethepayment."
"Considerwhatyouaresaying,seor,"saidtheyouth;"thismasterofmineisnota
knight,norhashereceivedanyorderofknighthood;forheisJuanHaldudotheRich,
ofQuintanar."
"Thatmatterslittle,"repliedDonQuixote;"theremaybeHaldudosknights;
moreover,everyoneisthesonofhisworks."
"Thatistrue,"saidAndres;"butthismasterofmineofwhatworksishetheson,
whenherefusesmethewagesofmysweatandlabor?"
"Idonotrefuse,brotherAndres,"saidthefarmer,"begoodenoughtocomealong
withme,andIswearbyalltheordersofknighthoodthereareintheworldtopay
youasIhaveagreed,realbyreal,andperfumed."
24
"FortheperfumeryIexcuseyou,"saidDonQuixote;"giveittohiminreals,andI
shallbesatisfied;andseethatyoudoasyouhavesworn;ifnot,bythesameoathI
sweartocomebackandhuntyououtandpunishyou;andIshallfindyouthough
youshouldliecloserthanalizard.Andifyoudesiretoknowwhoitislaysthis
commanduponyou,thatyoubemorefirmlyboundtoobeyit,knowthatIamthe
valorousDonQuixoteofLaMancha,theundoerofwrongsandinjustices;andso,
Godbewithyou,andkeepinmindwhatyouhavepromisedandswornunderthose
penaltiesthathavebeenalreadydeclaredtoyou."
Sosaying,hegaveRocinantethespurandwassoonoutofreach.Thefarmer
followedhimwithhiseyes,andwhenhesawthathehadclearedthewoodandwas
nolongerinsight,heturnedtohisboyAndres,andsaid,"Comehere,myson,Iwant
topayyouwhatIoweyou,asthatundoerofwrongshascommandedme."
"Myoathonit,"saidAndres,"yourworshipwillbewelladvisedtoobeythe
commandofthatgoodknightmayheliveathousandyearsfor,asheisavaliant
andjustjudge,byRoque15,ifyoudonotpayme,hewillcomebackanddoashe
said."
"Myoathonit,too,"saidthefarmer;"butasIhaveastrongaffectionforyou,Iwant
toaddtothedebtinordertoaddtothepayment;"andseizinghimbythearm,he
tiedhimupagain,andgavehimsuchafloggingthathelefthimfordead.
"Now,MasterAndres,"saidthefarmer,"callontheundoerofwrongs;youwillfind
hewon'tundothat,thoughIamnotsurethatIhavequitedonewithyou,forIhavea
goodmindtoflayyoualive."Butatlastheuntiedhim,andgavehimleavetogolook
forhisjudgeinordertoputthesentencepronouncedintoexecution.
15Theoriginofthisoathisunknown.
25
Andreswentoffratherdowninthemouth,swearinghewouldgotolookforthe
valiantDonQuixoteofLaManchaandtellhimexactlywhathadhappened,andthat
allwouldhavetoberepaidhimsevenfold;butforallthat,hewentoffweeping,
whilehismasterstoodlaughing.
ThusdidthevaliantDonQuixoterightthatwrong,and,thoroughlysatisfiedwith
whathadtakenplace,asheconsideredhehadmadeaveryhappyandnoble
beginningwithhisknighthood,hetooktheroadtowardshisvillageinperfectself
content,sayinginalowvoice,"Wellmayestthouthisdaycallthyselffortunate
aboveallonearth,ODulcineadelToboso,fairestofthefair!sinceithasfallentothy
lottoholdsubjectandsubmissivetothyfullwillandpleasureaknightsorenowned
asisandwillbeDonQuixoteofLaMancha,who,asalltheworldknows,yesterday
receivedtheorderofknighthood,andhathtodayrightedthegreatestwrongand
grievancethateverinjusticeconceivedandcrueltyperpetrated:whohathtoday
pluckedtherodfromthehandofyonderruthlessoppressorsowantonlylashing
thattenderchild."
Henowcametoaroadbranchinginfourdirections,andimmediatelyhewas
remindedofthosecrossroadswhereknightserrantusedtostoptoconsiderwhich
roadtheyshouldtake.Inimitationofthemhehaltedforawhile,andafterhaving
deeplyconsideredit,hegaveRocinantehishead,submittinghisownwilltothatof
hishack,whofollowedouthisfirstintention,whichwastomakestraightforhis
ownstable.AfterhehadgoneabouttwomilesDonQuixoteperceivedalargeparty
ofpeople,who,asafterwardsappeared,weresomeToledotraders,ontheirwayto
buysilkatMurcia.Thereweresixofthemcomingalongundertheirsunshades,with
fourservantsmounted,andthreemuleteersonfoot.ScarcelyhadDonQuixote
descriedthemwhenthefancypossessedhimthatthismustbesomenew
adventure;andtohelphimtoimitateasfarashecouldthosepassageshehadread
ofinhisbooks,hereseemedtocomeonemadeonpurpose,whichheresolvedto
attempt.Sowithaloftybearinganddeterminationhefixedhimselffirmlyinhis
stirrups,gothislanceready,broughthisbucklerbeforehisbreast,andplanting
26
himselfinthemiddleoftheroad,stoodwaitingtheapproachoftheseknights
errant,forsuchhenowconsideredandheldthemtobe;andwhentheyhadcome
nearenoughtoseeandhear,heexclaimedwithahaughtygesture,"Alltheworld
stand,unlessalltheworldconfessthatinalltheworldthereisnomaidenfairer
thantheEmpressofLaMancha,thepeerlessDulcineadelToboso."
Thetradershaltedatthesoundofthislanguageandthesightofthestrangefigure
thatutteredit,andfrombothfigureandlanguageatonceguessedthecrazeoftheir
owner;theywished,however,tolearnquietlywhatwastheobjectofthisconfession
thatwasdemandedofthem,andoneofthem,whowasratherfondofajokeandwas
verysharpwitted,saidtohim,"SirKnight,wedonotknowwhothisgoodladyis
thatyouspeakof;showhertous,for,ifshebeofsuchbeautyasyousuggest,with
allourheartsandwithoutanypressurewewillconfessthetruththatisonyourpart
requiredofus."
"IfIweretoshowhertoyou,"repliedDonQuixote,"whatmeritwouldyouhavein
confessingatruthsomanifest?Theessentialpointisthatwithoutseeingheryou
mustbelieve,confess,affirm,swear,anddefendit;elseyehavetodowithmein
battle,illconditioned,arrogantrabblethatyeare;andcomeyeon,onebyoneasthe
orderofknighthoodrequires,oralltogetherasisthecustomandvileusageofyour
breed,heredoIbideandawaityourelyingonthejusticeofthecauseImaintain."
"SirKnight,"repliedthetrader,"Ientreatyourworshipinthenameofthispresent
companyofprinces,that,tosaveusfromchargingourconscienceswiththe
confessionofathingwehaveneverseenorheardof,andonemoreoversomuchto
theprejudiceoftheEmpressesandQueensoftheAlcarriaandEstremadura16,your
worshipwillbepleasedtoshowussomeportraitofthislady,thoughitbenobigger
thanagrainofwheat;forbythethreadonegetsattheball,andinthiswayweshall
besatisfiedandeasy,andyouwillbecontentandpleased;nay,Ibelieveweare
16Ironical,sincebothplaceswereknownasespeciallybackwardregions.
27
alreadysofaragreedwithyouthateventhoughherportraitshouldshowherblind
ofoneeye,anddistillingvermilionandsulphurfromtheother,wewould
nevertheless,togratifyyourworship,sayallinherfavorthatyoudesire."
"Shedistilsnothingofthekind,vilerabble,"saidDonQuixote,burningwithrage,
"nothingofthekind,Isay,onlyambergrisandcivet17incotton;norissheoneeyed
orhumpbacked,butstraighterthanaGuadarramaspindle:butyemustpayforthe
blasphemyyehaveutteredagainstbeautylikethatofmylady."
Andsosaying,hechargedwithleveledlanceagainsttheonewhohadspoken,with
suchfuryandfiercenessthat,ifluckhadnotcontrivedthatRocinanteshould
stumblemidwayandcomedown,itwouldhavegonehardwiththerashtrader.
DownwentRocinante,andoverwenthismaster,rollingalongthegroundforsome
distance;andwhenhetriedtorisehewasunable,soencumberedwashewithlance,
buckler,spurs,helmet,andtheweightofhisoldarmor;andallthewhilehewas
strugglingtogetuphekeptsaying,"Flynot,cowardsandcaitiffs!stay,fornotbymy
fault,butmyhorse's,amIstretchedhere."
Oneofthemuleteersinattendance,whocouldnothavehadmuchgoodnaturein
him,hearingthepoorprostratemanblusteringinthisstyle,wasunabletorefrain
fromgivinghimanansweronhisribs;andcominguptohimheseizedhislance,and
havingbrokenitinpieces,withoneofthemhebegansotobelaborourDonQuixote
that,notwithstandingandinspiteofhisarmor,hemilledhimlikeameasureof
wheat.Hismasterscalledoutnottolayonsohardandtoleavehimalone,butthe
muleteersbloodwasup,andhedidnotcaretodropthegameuntilhehadvented
therestofhiswrath,andgatheringuptheremainingfragmentsofthelancehe
finishedwithadischargeupontheunhappyvictim,whoallthroughthestormof
sticksthatrainedonhimneverceasedthreateningheaven,andearth,andthe
brigands,forsuchtheyseemedtohim.Atlastthemuleteerwastired,andthe
17Amuskysubstanceusedinperfume,importedfromAfricaincottonpacking.
28
traderscontinuedtheirjourney,takingwiththemmatterfortalkaboutthepoor
fellowwhohadbeencudgelled.Hewhenhefoundhimselfalonemadeanother
efforttorise;butifhewasunablewhenwholeandsound,howwashetoriseafter
havingbeenthrashedandwellnighknockedtopieces?Andyetheesteemedhimself
fortunate,asitseemedtohimthatthiswasaregularknighterrant'smishap,and
entirely,heconsidered,thefaultofhishorse.However,batteredinbodyashewas,
torisewasbeyondhispower.
29
CHAPTERV
INWHICHTHENARRATIVEOFOURKNIGHT'SMISHAPISCONTINUED
Finding,then,that,infacthecouldnotmove,hethoughthimselfofhavingrecourse
tohisusualremedy,whichwastothinkofsomepassageinhisbooks,andhiscraze
broughttohismindthataboutBaldwinandtheMarquisofMantua,whenCarloto
lefthimwoundedonthemountainside18,astoryknownbyheartbythechildren,
notforgottenbytheyoungmen,andlaudedandevenbelievedbytheoldfolk;and
forallthatnotawhittruerthanthemiraclesofMahomet.Thisseemedtohimtofit
exactlythecaseinwhichhefoundhimself,so,makingashowofseveresuffering,he
begantorollonthegroundandwithfeeblebreathrepeattheverywordswhichthe
woundedknightofthewoodissaidtohaveuttered:
Whereartthou,ladymine,thatthou
Mysorrowdostnotrue?
Thoucanstnotknowit,ladymine,
Orelsethouartuntrue.
Andsohewentonwiththeballadasfarasthelines:
OnobleMarquisofMantua,
MyUncleandliegelord!
Aschancewouldhaveit,whenhehadgottothislinetherehappenedtocomebya
peasantfromhisownvillage,aneighborofhis,whohadbeenwithaloadofwheat
18TheallusionistoanoldballadaboutCharlemagnessonCharlot(Carloto)
woundingBaldwin,nephewoftheMarquisofMantua.
30
tothemill,andhe,seeingthemanstretchedthere,cameuptohimandaskedwho
hewasandwhatwasthematterwithhimthathecomplainedsodolefully.
DonQuixotewasfirmlypersuadedthatthiswastheMarquisofMantua,hisuncle,so
theonlyanswerhemadewastogoonwithhisballad,inwhichhetoldthetaleofhis
misfortune,andofthelovesoftheEmperor'ssonandhiswifeallexactlyasthe
balladsingsit.
Thepeasantstoodamazedathearingsuchnonsense,andrelievinghimofthevisor,
alreadybatteredtopiecesbyblows,hewipedhisface,whichwascoveredwithdust,
andassoonashehaddonesoherecognizedhimandsaid,"SeorQuixada"(forso
heappearstohavebeencalledwhenhewasinhissensesandhadnotyetchanged
fromaquietcountrygentlemanintoaknighterrant),"whohasbroughtyour
worshiptothispass?"Buttoallquestionstheotheronlywentonwithhisballad.
Seeingthis,thegoodmanremovedaswellashecouldhisbreastplateandbackpiece
toseeifhehadanywound,buthecouldperceivenobloodnoranymarkwhatever.
Hethencontrivedtoraisehimfromtheground,andwithnolittledifficultyhoisted
himuponhisass,whichseemedtohimtobetheeasiestmountforhim;and
collectingthearms,eventothesplintersofthelance,hetiedthemonRocinante,and
leadinghimbythebridleandtheassbythehalterhetooktheroadforthevillage,
verysadtohearwhatabsurdstuffDonQuixotewastalking.
NorwasDonQuixotelessso,forwhatwithblowsandbruiseshecouldnotsit
uprightontheass,andfromtimetotimehesentupsighstoheaven,sothatonce
morehedrovethepeasanttoaskwhatailedhim.Anditcouldhavebeenonlythe
devilhimselfthatputintohisheadtalestomatchhisownadventures,fornow,
forgettingBaldwin,hebethoughthimselfoftheMoorAbindarraez,whentheAlcaide
ofAntequera,RodrigodeNarvaez,tookhimprisonerandcarriedhimawaytohis
castle;sothatwhenthepeasantagainaskedhimhowhewasandwhatailedhim,he
gavehimforreplythesamewordsandphrasesthatthecaptiveAbindarraezgaveto
31
RodrigodeNarvaez,justashehadreadthestoryintheDianaofJorgede
Montemayor19whereitiswritten,applyingittohisowncasesoaptlythatthe
peasantwentalongcursinghisfatethathehadtolistentosuchalotofnonsense;
fromwhich,however,hecametotheconclusionthathisneighborwasmad,andso
madeallhastetoreachthevillagetoescapethewearisomenessofthisharangueof
DonQuixote's;who,attheendofit,said,"SeorDonRodrigodeNarvaez,your
worshipmustknowthatthisfairXarifaIhavementionedisnowthelovelyDulcinea
delToboso,forwhomIhavedone,amdoing,andwilldothemostfamousdeedsof
chivalrythatinthisworldhavebeenseen,aretobeseen,orevershallbeseen."
Tothisthepeasantanswered,"SeorsinnerthatIam!cannotyourworshipsee
thatIamnotDonRodrigodeNarvaeznortheMarquisofMantua,butPedroAlonso
yourneighbor,andthatyourworshipisneitherBaldwinnorAbindarraez,butthe
worthygentlemanSeorQuixada?"
"IknowwhoIam,"repliedDonQuixote,"andIknowwhoImaybeifIchoose;not
onlythoseIhavenamed,butalltheTwelvePeersofFranceandevenalltheNine
Worthies,20sincemyachievementssurpassallthattheyhavedonealltogetherand
eachofthemonhisownaccount."
Withthistalkandmoreofthesamekindtheyreachedthevillagejustasnightwas
beginningtofall,butthepeasantwaiteduntilitwasalittlelaterthatthebelabored
gentlemanmightnotbeseenridinginsuchamiserabletrim.Whenitwaswhat
seemedtohimthepropertimeheenteredthevillageandwenttoDonQuixote's
house,whichhefoundallinconfusion,andtherewerethecurateandthevillage
19ThereferenceistothetaleoftheloveofAbindarraez,acaptiveMoor,forthe
beautifulJarifa(mentionedinthefollowingparagraph),containedinthesecond
editionofDiana,thepastoralromancebyJorgedeMontemayor.
20IntheFrenchmedievalepicstheTwelvePeers(Roland,Olivier,etc.)were
warriorsallequalinrankformingasortofguardofhonoraroundCharelmagne.
TheNineWorthies,inatraditionoriginatinginFrance,wereninefigures,three
biblical,threeclassical,andthreeChristian(David,Hector,Alexander,etc.)
32
barber,whoweregreatfriendsofDonQuixote,andhishousekeeperwassayingto
theminaloudvoice,"Whatdoesyourworshipthinkcanhavebefallenmymaster,
SeorLicentiatePeroPerez?"forsothecuratewascalled;"itisthreedaysnow
sinceanythinghasbeenseenofhim,orthehack,orthebuckler,lance,orarmor.
Miserableme!Iamcertainofit,anditisastrueasthatIwasborntodie,thatthese
accursedbooksofchivalryhehas,andhasgotintothewayofreadingsoconstantly,
haveupsethisreason;fornowIrememberhavingoftenheardhimsayingtohimself
thathewouldturnknighterrantandgoallovertheworldinquestofadventures.
TothedevilandBarabbas21withsuchbooks,thathavebroughttoruininthisway
thefinestunderstandingtherewasinallLaMancha!"
Theniecesaidthesame,and,more:"Youmustknow,MasterNicholas"forthat
wasthenameofthebarber"itwasoftenmyuncle'swaytostaytwodaysand
nightstogetherporingovertheseunholybooksofmisadventures,afterwhichhe
wouldflingthebookawayandsnatchuphisswordandfalltoslashingthewalls;
andwhenhewastiredouthewouldsayhehadkilledfourgiantslikefourtowers;
andthesweatthatflowedfromhimwhenhewaswearyhesaidwasthebloodofthe
woundshehadreceivedinbattle;andthenhewoulddrinkagreatjugofcoldwater
andbecomecalmandquiet,sayingthatthiswaterwasamostpreciouspotion
whichthesageEsquife,agreatmagicianandfriendofhis,hadbroughthim.ButI
takealltheblameuponmyselfforneverhavingtoldyourworshipsofmyuncle's
vagaries,thatyoumightputastoptothembeforethingshadcometothispass,and
burnalltheseaccursedbooksforhehasagreatnumberthatrichlydeservetobe
burnedlikeheretics."
"SosayItoo,"saidthecurate,"andbymyfaithtomorrowshallnotpasswithout
publicjudgmentuponthem,andmaytheybecondemnedtotheflameslestthey
leadthosethatreadtobehaveasmygoodfriendseemstohavebehaved."
21thethiefPontiusPilatereleasedtothecrowd,ratherthanJesus.
33
Allthisthepeasantheard,andfromitheunderstoodatlastwhatwasthematter
withhisneighbor,sohebegancallingaloud,"Open,yourworships,toSeor
BaldwinandtoSeortheMarquisofMantua,whocomesbadlywounded,andto
SeorAbindarraez,theMoor,whomthevaliantRodrigodeNarvaez,theAlcaideof
Antequera,bringscaptive."
Atthesewordstheyallhurriedout,andwhentheyrecognizedtheirfriend,master,
anduncle,whohadnotyetdismountedfromtheassbecausehecouldnot,theyran
toembracehim.
"Hold!"saidhe,"forIambadlywoundedthroughmyhorse'sfault;carrymetobed,
andifpossiblesendforthewiseUrgandatocureandseetomywounds."
"Seethere!plagueonit!"criedthehousekeeperatthis:"didnotmyhearttellthe
truthastowhichfootmymasterwentlameof?Tobedwithyourworshipatonce,
andwewillcontrivetocureyouherewithoutfetchingthatHurgada.AcurseIsay
oncemore,andahundredtimesmore,onthosebooksofchivalrythathavebrought
yourworshiptosuchapass."
Theycarriedhimtobedatonce,andaftersearchingforhiswoundscouldfindnone,
buthesaidtheywereallbruisesfromhavinghadaseverefallwithhishorse
Rocinantewhenincombatwithtengiants,thebiggestandtheboldesttobefound
onearth.
"So,so!"saidthecurate,"aretheregiantsinthedance?BythesignoftheCrossIwill
burnthemtomorrowbeforethedayover."
TheyputahostofquestionstoDonQuixote,buthisonlyanswertoallwasgive
himsomethingtoeat,andleavehimtosleep,forthatwaswhatheneededmost.
Theydidso,andthecuratequestionedthepeasantatgreatlengthastohowhehad
foundDonQuixote.Hetoldhim,andthenonsensehehadtalkedwhenfoundandon
34
thewayhome,allwhichmadethelicentiatethemoreeagertodowhathedidthe
nextday,whichwastosummonhisfriendthebarber,MasterNicholas,andgowith
himtoDonQuixote'shouse.
35
CHAPTERVII
OFTHESECONDSALLYOFOURGOODKNIGHT,DONQUIXOTEDELAMANCHA
...Inshort,then,heremainedathomefifteendaysveryquietlywithoutshowing
anysignsofadesiretotakeupwithhisformerdelusions,andduringthistimehe
heldlivelydiscussionswithhistwogossips,thecurateandthebarber,onthepoint
hemaintained,thatknightserrantwerewhattheworldstoodmostinneedof,and
thatinhimwastobeaccomplishedtherevivalofknighterrantry.Thecurate
sometimescontradictedhim,sometimesagreedwithhim,forifhehadnotobserved
thisprecautionhewouldhavebeenunabletobringhimtoreason.
MeanwhileDonQuixoteworkeduponafarmlaborer,aneighborofhis,anhonest
man(ifindeedthattitlecanbegiventohimwhoispoor),butwithverylittlewitin
hishead.Inaword,hesotalkedhimover,andwithsuchpersuasionsandpromises,
thatthepoorclownmadeuphismindtosallyforthwithhimandservehimas
squire.DonQuixote,amongotherthings,toldhimheoughttobereadytogowith
himgladly,becauseanymomentanadventuremightoccurthatmightwinanisland
inthetwinklingofaneyeandleavehimgovernorofit.Ontheseandthelike
promisesSanchoPanza(forsothelaborerwascalled)leftwifeandchildren,and
engagedhimselfassquiretohisneighbor.
DonQuixotenextsetaboutgettingsomemoney;andsellingonethingandpawning
another,andmakingabadbargainineverycase,hegottogetherafairsum.He
providedhimselfwithabuckler,whichhebeggedasaloanfromafriend,and,
restoringhisbatteredhelmetasbesthecould,hewarnedhissquireSanchoofthe
dayandhourhemeanttosetout,thathemightprovidehimselfwithwhathe
thoughtmostneedful.Aboveall,hechargedhimtotakealforjas22withhim.The
othersaidhewould,andthathemeanttotakealsoaverygoodasshehad,ashe
22Saddlebags
36
wasnotmuchgiventogoingonfoot.Abouttheass,DonQuixotehesitatedalittle,
tryingwhetherhecouldcalltomindanyknighterranttakingwithhimansquire
mountedonassback,butnoinstanceoccurredtohismemory.Forallthat,however,
hedeterminedtotakehim,intendingtofurnishhimwithamorehonorablemount
whenachanceofitpresenteditself,byappropriatingthehorseofthefirst
discourteousknightheencountered.Himselfheprovidedwithshirtsandsuch
otherthingsashecould,accordingtotheadvicethehosthadgivenhim;allwhich
beingdone,withouttakingleave,SanchoPanzaofhiswifeandchildren,orDon
Quixoteofhishousekeeperandniece,theysalliedforthunseenbyanybodyfromthe
villageonenight,andmadesuchgoodwayinthecourseofitthatbydaylightthey
heldthemselvessafefromdiscovery,evenshouldsearchbemadeforthem.
Sanchorodeonhisasslikeapatriarch,withhisalforjasandbota23,andlongingto
seehimselfsoongovernoroftheislandhismasterhadpromisedhim.DonQuixote
decidedupontakingthesamerouteandroadhehadtakenonhisfirstjourney,that
overtheCampodeMontiel,whichhetraveledwithlessdiscomfortthanonthelast
occasion,for,asitwasearlymorningandtheraysofthesunfellonthemobliquely,
theheatdidnotdistressthem.
AndnowsaidSanchoPanzatohismaster,"Yourworshipwilltakecare,Seor
Knighterrant,nottoforgetabouttheislandyouhavepromisedme,forbeiteverso
bigI'llbeequaltogoverningit."
TowhichDonQuixotereplied,"Thoumustknow,friendSanchoPanza,thatitwasa
practiceverymuchinvoguewiththeknightserrantofoldtomaketheirsquires
governorsoftheislandsorkingdomstheywon,andIamdeterminedthatthere
shallbenofailureonmypartinsoliberalacustom;onthecontrary,Imeanto
improveuponit,fortheysometimes,andperhapsmostfrequently,waiteduntil
theirsquireswereold,andthenwhentheyhadhadenoughofserviceandharddays
23Flask
37
andworsenights,theygavethemsometitleorother,ofcount,oratthemost
marquis,ofsomevalleyorprovincemoreorless;butifthoulivestandIlive,itmay
wellbethatbeforesixdaysareover,Imayhavewonsomekingdomthathasothers
dependentuponit,whichwillbejustthethingtoenabletheetobecrownedkingof
oneofthem.Norneedstthoucountthiswonderful,forthingsandchancesfalltothe
lotofsuchknightsinwayssounexampledandunexpectedthatImighteasilygive
theeevenmorethanIpromisethee."
"Inthatcase,"saidSanchoPanza,"ifIshouldbecomeakingbyoneofthosemiracles
yourworshipspeaksof,evenJuanaGutierrez,myoldwoman,wouldcometobe
queenandmychildreninfantes."
"Well,whodoubtsit?"saidDonQuixote.
"Idoubtit,"repliedSanchoPanza,"becauseformypartIampersuadedthatthough
Godshouldshowerdownkingdomsuponearth,notoneofthemwouldfitthehead
ofMariGutierrez.Letmetellyou,seor,sheisnotworthtwomaravedis24fora
queen;countesswillfitherbetter,andthatonlywithGod'shelp."
"LeaveittoGod,Sancho,"returnedDonQuixote,"forhewillgiveherwhatsuitsher
best;butdonotundervaluethyselfsomuchastocometobecontentwithanything
lessthanbeinggovernorofaprovince."
"Iwillnot,seor,"answeredSancho,"speciallyasIhaveamanofsuchqualityfora
masterinyourworship,whowillknowhowtogivemeallthatwillbesuitablefor
meandthatIcanbear."
24Acoinworthonethirtyfourthofareal.
38
CHAPTERVIII
OFTHEGOODFORTUNEWHICHTHEVALIANTDONQUIXOTEHADINTHE
TERRIBLEANDUNDREAMTOFADVENTUREOFTHEWINDMILLS,WITHOTHER
OCCURRENCESWORTHYTOBEFITLYRECORDED
Atthispointtheycameinsightofthirtyfortywindmillsthatthereareonplain,and
assoonasDonQuixotesawthemhesaidtohissquire,"Fortuneisarranging
mattersforusbetterthanwecouldhaveshapedourdesiresourselves,forlook
there,friendSanchoPanza,wherethirtyormoremonstrousgiantspresent
themselves,allofwhomImeantoengageinbattleandslay,andwithwhosespoils
weshallbegintomakeourfortunes;forthisisrighteouswarfare,anditisGod's
goodservicetosweepsoevilabreedfromoffthefaceoftheearth."
"Whatgiants?"saidSanchoPanza.
"Thosethouseestthere,"answeredhismaster,"withthelongarms,andsomehave
themnearlytwoleagueslong."
"Look,yourworship,"saidSancho;"whatweseetherearenotgiantsbutwindmills,
andwhatseemtobetheirarmsarethesailsthatturnedbythewindmakethe
millstonego."
"Itiseasytosee,"repliedDonQuixote,"thatthouartnotusedtothisbusinessof
adventures;thosearegiants;andifthouartafraid,awaywiththeeoutofthisand
betakethyselftoprayerwhileIengagetheminfierceandunequalcombat."
Sosaying,hegavethespurtohissteedRocinante,heedlessofthecrieshissquire
Sanchosentafterhim,warninghimthatmostcertainlytheywerewindmillsandnot
giantshewasgoingtoattack.He,however,wassopositivetheyweregiantsthathe
neitherheardthecriesofSancho,norperceived,nearashewas,whattheywere,
39
butmadeatthemshouting,"Flynot,cowardsandvilebeings,forasingleknight
attacksyou."
Aslightbreezeatthismomentsprangup,andthegreatsailsbegantomove,seeing
whichDonQuixoteexclaimed,"Thoughyeflourishmorearmsthanthegiant
Briareus,25yehavetoreckonwithme."
Sosaying,andcommendinghimselfwithallhishearttohisladyDulcinea,imploring
hertosupporthiminsuchaperil,withlanceinrestandcoveredbyhisbuckler,he
chargedatRocinante'sfullestgallopandfelluponthefirstmillthatstoodinfrontof
him;butashedrovehislancepointintothesailthewindwhirleditroundwithsuch
forcethatitshiveredthelancetopieces,sweepingwithithorseandrider,whowent
rollingoverontheplain,inasorrycondition.Sanchohastenedtohisassistanceas
fastashisasscouldgo,andwhenhecameupfoundhimunabletomove,withsucha
shockhadRocinantefallenwithhim.
"Godblessme!"saidSancho,"didInottellyourworshiptomindwhatyouwere
about,fortheywereonlywindmills?andnoonecouldhavemadeanymistakeabout
itbutonewhohadmillsofthesamekindinhishead."
"Hush,friendSancho,"repliedDonQuixote,"thefortunesofwarmorethanany
otherareliabletofrequentfluctuations;andmoreoverIthink,anditisthetruth,
thatthatsamesageFristonwhocarriedoffmystudyandbooks,26hasturnedthese
giantsintomillsinordertorobmeofthegloryofvanquishingthem,suchisthe
enmityhebearsme;butintheendhiswickedartswillavailbutlittleagainstmy
goodsword."
25Amythologicalgiantwithahundredarms.
26Afterthebarberandthecuratehadburnedallhisbooksandwalleduphisstudy,
QuixotepromptlyattributedthedisappearancetoanevilsorcerernamedFriston,
who,naturally,heldagrudgeagainsthim.
40
"Godorderitashemay,"saidSanchoPanza,andhelpinghimtorisegothimup
againonRocinante,whoseshoulderwashalfout;andthen,discussingthelate
adventure,theyfollowedtheroadtoPuertoLapice,forthere,saidDonQuixote,they
couldnotfailtofindadventuresinabundanceandvariety,asitwasagreat
thoroughfare.Forallthat,hewasmuchgrievedatthelossofhislance,andsayingso
tohissquire,headded,"IrememberhavingreadhowaSpanishknight,DiegoPerez
deVargasbyname,havingbrokenhisswordinbattle,torefromanoakaponderous
boughorbranch,andwithitdidsuchthingsthatday,andpoundedsomanyMoors,
thathegotthesurnameofMachuca27,andheandhisdescendantsfromthatday
forthwerecalledVargasyMachuca.ImentionthisbecausefromthefirstoakIseeI
meantorendsuchanotherbranch,largeandstoutlikethat,withwhichIam
determinedandresolvedtodosuchdeedsthatthoumayestdeemthyselfvery
fortunateinbeingfoundworthytocomeandseethem,andbeaneyewitnessof
thingsthatwillwithdifficultybebelieved."
"BethatasGodwill,"saidSancho,"Ibelieveitallasyourworshipsaysit;but
straightenyourselfalittle,foryouseemallononeside,maybefromtheshakingof
thefall."
"Thatisthetruth,"saidDonQuixote,"andifImakenocomplaintofthepainitis
becauseknightserrantarenotpermittedtocomplainofanywound,eventhough
theirbowelsbecomingoutthroughit."
"Ifso,"saidSancho,"Ihavenothingtosay;butGodknowsIwouldratheryour
worshipcomplainedwhenanythingailedyou.Formypart,IconfessImust
complain,howeversmalltheachemaybe;unlessthisruleaboutnotcomplaining
extendstothesquiresofknightserrantalso."
27Machuca,meaningTheCrusher,wastheheroofafolkbalad.
41
DonQuixotecouldnothelplaughingathissquire'ssimplicity,andheassuredhim
hemightcomplainwheneverandhoweverhechose,justasheliked,for,sofar,he
hadneverreadofanythingtothecontraryintheorderofknighthood.
Sanchobadehimrememberitwasdinnertime,towhichhismasteransweredthat
hewantednothinghimselfjustthen,butthathemighteatwhenhehadamind.With
thispermissionSanchosettledhimselfascomfortablyashecouldonhisbeast,and
takingoutofthealforjaswhathehadstowedawayinthem,hejoggedalongbehind
hismastermunchingdeliberately,andfromtimetotimetakingapullatthebota
witharelishthatthethirstiesttapsterinMalagamighthaveenvied;andwhilehe
wentoninthisway,gulpingdowndraughtafterdraught,henevergaveathoughtto
anyofthepromiseshismasterhadmadehim,nordidherateitashardshipbut
ratherasrecreationgoinginquestofadventures,howeverdangeroustheymightbe.
Finallytheypassedthenightamongsometrees,fromoneofwhichDonQuixote
pluckedadrybranchtoservehimafterafashionasalance,andfixedonitthehead
hehadremovedfromthebrokenone.AllthatnightDonQuixotelayawakethinking
ofhisladyDulcinea,inordertoconformtowhathehadreadinhisbooks,how
manyanightintheforestsanddesertsknightsusedtoliesleeplesssupportedby
thememoryoftheirmistresses.NotsodidSanchoPanzaspendit,forhavinghis
stomachfullofsomethingstrongerthanchicorywaterhemadebutonesleepofit,
and,ifhismasterhadnotcalledhim,neithertheraysofthesunbeatingonhisface
norallthecheerynotesofthebirdswelcomingtheapproachofdaywouldhavehad
powertowakenhim.Ongettinguphetriedthebotaandfounditsomewhatlessfull
thanthenightbefore,whichgrievedhisheartbecausetheydidnotseemtobeon
thewaytoremedythedeficiencyreadily.DonQuixotedidnotcaretobreakhisfast,
for,ashasbeenalreadysaid,heconfinedhimselftosavoryrecollectionsfor
nourishment.
Theyreturnedtotheroadtheyhadsetoutwith,leadingtoPuertoLapice,andat
threeintheafternoontheycameinsightofit."Here,brotherSanchoPanza,"said
DonQuixotewhenhesawit,"wemayplungeourhandsuptotheelbowsinwhat
42
theycalladventures;butobserve,evenshouldstthouseemeinthegreatestdanger
intheworld,thoumustnotputahandtothyswordinmydefense,unlessindeed
thouperceivestthatthosewhoassailmearerabbleorbasefolk;forinthatcase
thoumayestveryproperlyaidme;butiftheybeknightsitisonnoaccount
permittedorallowedtheebythelawsofknighthoodtohelpmeuntilthouhastbeen
dubbedaknight."
"Mostcertainly,seor,"repliedSancho,"yourworshipshallbefullyobeyedinthis
matter;allthemoreasofmyselfIampeacefulandnofriendtomixinginstrifeand
quarrels:itistruethatasregardsthedefenseofmyownpersonIshallnotgive
muchheedtothoselaws,forlawshumananddivinealloweachonetodefend
himselfagainstanyassailantwhatever."
"ThatIgrant,"saidDonQuixote,"butinthismatterofaidingmeagainstknights
thoumustputarestraintuponthynaturalimpetuosity."
"Iwilldoso,Ipromiseyou,"answeredSancho,"andwillkeepthispreceptas
carefullyasSunday."
Whiletheywerethustalkingthereappearedontheroadtwofriarsoftheorderof
St.Benedict,mountedontwodromedaries,fornotlesstallwerethetwomulesthey
rodeon.Theyworetravelingspectaclesandcarriedsunshades;andbehindthem
cameacoachattendedbyfourorfivepersonsonhorsebackandtwomuleteerson
foot.Inthecoachtherewas,asafterwardsappeared,aBiscayladyonherwayto
Seville,whereherhusbandwasabouttotakepassagefortheIndieswithan
appointmentofhighhonor.Thefriars,thoughgoingthesameroad,werenotinher
company;butthemomentDonQuixoteperceivedthemhesaidtohissquire,"Either
Iammistaken,orthisisgoingtobethemostfamousadventurethathaseverbeen
seen,forthoseblackbodiesweseetheremustbe,anddoubtlessare,magicianswho
arecarryingoffsomestolenprincessinthatcoach,andwithallmymightImust
undothiswrong."
43
"Thiswillbeworsethanthewindmills,"saidSancho."Look,seor;thosearefriars
ofSt.Benedict,andthecoachplainlybelongstosometravelers:Itellyoutomind
wellwhatyouareaboutanddon'tletthedevilmisleadyou."
"Ihavetoldtheealready,Sancho,"repliedDonQuixote,"thatonthesubjectof
adventuresthouknowestlittle.WhatIsayisthetruth,asthoushaltseepresently."
Sosaying,headvancedandpostedhimselfinthemiddleoftheroadalongwhichthe
friarswerecoming,andassoonashethoughttheyhadcomenearenoughtohear
whathesaid,hecriedaloud,"Devilishandunnaturalbeings,releaseinstantlythe
highbornprincesseswhomyouarecarryingoffbyforceinthiscoach,elseprepare
tomeetaspeedydeathasthejustpunishmentofyourevildeeds."
ThefriarsdrewreinandstoodwonderingattheappearanceofDonQuixoteaswell
asathiswords,towhichtheyreplied,"SeorCaballero,wearenotdevilishor
unnatural,buttwobrothersofSt.Benedictfollowingourroad,nordoweknow
whetherornotthereareanycaptiveprincessescominginthiscoach."
"Nosoftwordswithme,forIknowyou,lyingrabble,"saidDonQuixote,andwithout
waitingforareplyhespurredRocinanteandwithleveledlancechargedthefirst
friarwithsuchfuryanddetermination,that,ifthefriarhadnotflunghimselfoffthe
mule,hewouldhavebroughthimtothegroundagainsthiswill,andsorewounded,
ifnotkilledoutright.Thesecondbrother,seeinghowhiscomradewastreated,
drovehisheelsintohiscastleofamuleandmadeoffacrossthecountryfasterthan
thewind.
SanchoPanza,whenhesawthefriarontheground,dismountingbrisklyfromhis
ass,rushedtowardshimandbegantostripoffhisgown.Atthatinstantthefriars
muleteerscameupandaskedwhathewasstrippinghimfor.Sanchoansweredthem
thatthisfelltohimlawfullyasspoilofthebattlewhichhislordDonQuixotehad
44
won.Themuleteers,whohadnoideaofajokeanddidnotunderstandallthisabout
battlesandspoils,seeingthatDonQuixotewassomedistanceofftalkingtothe
travelersinthecoach,felluponSancho,knockedhimdown,andleavinghardlya
hairinhisbeard,belaboredhimwithkicksandlefthimstretchedbreathlessand
senselessontheground;andwithoutanymoredelayhelpedthefriartomount,
who,trembling,terrified,andpale,assoonashefoundhimselfinthesaddle,
spurredafterhiscompanion,whowasstandingatadistancelookingon,watching
theresultoftheonslaught;then,notcaringtowaitfortheendoftheaffairjust
begun,theypursuedtheirjourneymakingmorecrossesthaniftheyhadthedevil
afterthem.
DonQuixotewas,ashasbeensaid,speakingtotheladyinthecoach:"Yourbeauty,
ladymine,"saidhe,"maynowdisposeofyourpersonasmaybemostinaccordance
withyourpleasure,fortheprideofyourravishersliesprostrateontheground
throughthisstrongarmofmine;andlestyoushouldbepiningtoknowthenameof
yourdeliverer,knowthatIamcalledDonQuixoteofLaMancha,knighterrantand
adventurer,andcaptivetothepeerlessandbeautifulladyDulcineadelToboso:and
inreturnfortheserviceyouhavereceivedofmeIasknomorethanthatyoushould
returntoElToboso,andonmybehalfpresentyourselfbeforethatladyandtellher
whatIhavedonetosetyoufree."
Oneofthesquiresinattendanceuponthecoach,aBiscayan,28waslisteningtoall
DonQuixotewassaying,and,perceivingthathewouldnotallowthecoachtogoon,
butwassayingitmustreturnatoncetoElToboso,hemadeathim,andseizinghis
lanceaddressedhiminbadCastilianandworseBiscayanafterhisfashion,"Begone,
caballero,andillgowiththee;bytheGodthatmademe,unlessthouquittestcoach,
slayesttheeasarthereaBiscayan."
28FromtheBosqueregioninnortheasternSpain.
45
DonQuixoteunderstoodhimquitewell,andansweredhimveryquietly,"Ifthou
wertaknight,asthouartnone,Ishouldhavealreadychastisedthyfollyand
rashness,miserablecreature."TowhichtheBiscayanreturned,"Inogentleman!I
sweartoGodthouliestasIamChristian:ifthoudroppestlanceanddrawestsword,
soonshaltthouseethouartcarryingwatertothecat29:Biscayanonland,hidalgoat
sea,hidalgoinspiteofthedevil,andlook,ifthousayestotherwisethouliest."
"'"Youwillseepresently,"saidAgrajes,'"repliedDonQuixote;andthrowinghis
lanceonthegroundhedrewhissword,bracedhisbuckleronhisarm,andattacked
theBiscayan,bentupontakinghislife.
TheBiscayan,whenhesawhimcomingon,thoughhewishedtodismountfromhis
mule,inwhich,beingoneofthosesorryonesletoutforhire,hehadnoconfidence,
hadnochoicebuttodrawhissword;itwasluckyforhim,however,thathewasnear
thecoach,fromwhichhewasabletosnatchacushionthatservedhimforashield;
andtheywentatoneanotherasiftheyhadbeentwomortalenemies.Theothers
strovetomakepeacebetweenthem,butcouldnot,fortheBiscayandeclaredinhis
disjointedphrasethatiftheydidnotlethimfinishhisbattlehewouldkillhis
mistressandeveryonethatstrovetopreventhim.Theladyinthecoach,amazed
andterrifiedatwhatshesaw,orderedthecoachmantodrawasidealittle,andset
herselftowatchthisseverestruggle,inthecourseofwhichtheBiscayansmoteDon
Quixoteamightystrokeontheshoulderoverthetopofhisbuckler,which,givento
onewithoutarmor,wouldhaveclefthimtothewaist.DonQuixote,feelingthe
weightofthisprodigiousblow,criedaloud,saying,"Oladyofmysoul,Dulcinea,
flowerofbeauty,cometotheaidofthisyourknight,who,infulfillinghisobligations
toyourbeauty,findshimselfinthisextremeperil."Tosaythis,tolifthissword,to
shelterhimselfwellbehindhisbuckler,andtoassailtheBiscayanwastheworkof
aninstant,determinedashewastoventurealluponasingleblow.TheBiscayan,
seeinghimcomeoninthisway,wasconvincedofhiscouragebyhisspirited
29Aninversionoftheproverbialphrase,carryingthecattowater,anotaltogether
pleasanttask.
46
bearing,andresolvedtofollowhisexample,sohewaitedforhimkeepingwell
undercoverofhiscushion,beingunabletoexecuteanysortofmaneuverwithhis
mule,which,deadtiredandnevermeantforthiskindofgame,couldnotstirastep.
On,then,asaforesaid,cameDonQuixoteagainstthewaryBiscayan,withuplifted
swordandafirmintentionofsplittinghiminhalf,whileonhissidetheBiscayan
waitedforhimswordinhand,andundertheprotectionofhiscushion;andall
presentstoodtrembling,waitinginsuspensetheresultofblowssuchasthreatened
tofall,andtheladyinthecoachandtherestofherfollowingweremakinga
thousandvowsandofferingstoalltheimagesandshrinesofSpain,thatGodmight
deliverhersquireandallofthemfromthisgreatperilinwhichtheyfound
themselves.Butitspoilsall,thatatthispointandcrisistheauthorofthehistory
leavesthisbattleimpending,givingasexcusethathecouldfindnothingmore
writtenabouttheseachievementsofDonQuixotethanwhathasbeenalreadyset
forth.Itistruethesecondauthor30ofthisworkwasunwillingtobelievethata
historysocuriouscouldhavebeenallowedtofallunderthesentenceofoblivion,or
thatthewitsofLaManchacouldhavebeensoundiscerningasnottopreservein
theirarchivesorregistriessomedocumentsreferringtothisfamousknight;andthis
beinghispersuasion,hedidnotdespairoffindingtheconclusionofthispleasant
history....
30Cervanteshimself,adoptingherewithtongueincheekadeviceusedinthe
romancesofchivalrytocreatesuspense.
47
CHAPTERIX
INWHICHISCONCLUDEDANDFINISHEDTHETERRIFICBATTLEBETWEENTHE
GALLANTBISCAYANANDTHEVALIANTMANCHEGAN
...weleftthevaliantBiscayanandtherenownedDonQuixotewithdrawnswords
uplifted,readytodelivertwosuchfuriousslashingblowsthatiftheyhadfallenfull
andfairtheywouldatleasthavesplitandcleftthemasunderfromtoptotoeand
laidthemopenlikeapomegranate;andatthissocriticalpointthedelightfulhistory
cametoastopandstoodcutshortwithoutanyintimationfromtheauthorwhere
whatwasmissingwastobefound.
Thisdistressedmegreatly,becausethepleasurederivedfromhavingreadsucha
smallportionturnedtovexationatthethoughtofthepoorchancethatpresented
itselfoffindingthelargepartthat,soitseemedtome,wasmissingofsuchan
interestingtale.Itappearedtometobeathingimpossibleandcontrarytoall
precedentthatsogoodaknightshouldhavebeenwithoutsomesagetoundertake
thetaskofwritinghismarvelousachievements;athingthatwasneverwantingto
anyofthoseknightserrantwho,theysay,wentafteradventures;foreveryoneof
themhadoneortwosagesasifmadeonpurpose,whonotonlyrecordedtheir
deedsbutdescribedtheirmosttriflingthoughtsandfollies,howeversecretthey
mightbe;andsuchagoodknightcouldnothavebeensounfortunateasnottohave
whatPlatirandotherslikehimhadinabundance.AndsoIcouldnotbringmyselfto
believethatsuchagallanttalehadbeenleftmaimedandmutilated,andIlaidthe
blameonTime,thedevoureranddestroyerofallthings,thathadeitherconcealed
orconsumedit.
Ontheotherhand,itstruckmethat,inasmuchasamonghisbookstherehadbeen
foundsuchmodernonesasTheEnlightenmentofJealousyandtheNymphsand
ShepherdsofHenares,hisstorymustlikewisebemodern,andthatthoughitmight
notbewritten,itmightexistinthememoryofthepeopleofhisvillageandofthose
48
intheneighborhood.Thisreflectionkeptmeperplexedandlongingtoknowthe
wholestory,thetruestory,ofthelifeandwondrousdeedsofourfamousSpaniard,
DonQuixoteofLaMancha,lightandmirrorofchivalryinLaMancha,andthefirstin
ourageandinthesecalamitoustimestohavedevotedhimselftothelaborand
exerciseofknighterrantry,rightingwrongs,succoringwidows,andprotecting
damselsofthatsortthatusedtorideabout,whipinhand,ontheirpalfreys,withall
theirvirginityaboutthem,frommountaintomountainandvalleytovalleyfor,ifit
werenotforsomeruffian,orboorwithahoodandhatchet,ormonstrousgiant,that
forcedthem,therewereindaysofyoredamselsthatattheendofeightyyears,inall
whichtimetheyhadneversleptadayunderaroof,wenttotheirgravesasmuch
maidsasthemothersthatborethem.Isay,then,thatintheseandotherrespects
ourgallantDonQuixoteisworthyofeverlastingandnotablepraise,norshouldsuch
praisebewithheldevenfrommeforthelaborandpainsspentinsearchingforthe
conclusionofthisdelightfulhistory;thoughIknowwellthatifHeaven,chanceand
goodfortunehadnothelpedme,theworldwouldhaveremaineddeprivedofan
entertainmentandpleasurethatforacoupleofhoursorsomaywelloccupyhim
whoshallreaditattentively.Thediscoveryofitoccurredinthisway.
Oneday,asIwasintheAlcanaofToledo,aboycameuptosellsomepamphletsand
oldpaperstoasilkmercer,and,asIamfondofreadingeventheveryscrapsof
paperinthestreets,ledbythisnaturalbentofmineItookuponeofthepamphlets
theboyhadforsale,andsawthatitwasincharacterswhichIrecognizedasArabic,
andasIwasunabletoreadthemthoughIcouldrecognizethem,Ilookedaboutto
seeiftherewereanySpanishspeakingMoriscoathandtoreadthemforme;nor
wasthereanygreatdifficultyinfindingsuchaninterpreter,forevenhadIsought
oneforanolderandbetterlanguage31Ishouldhavefoundhim.Inshort,chance
providedmewithone,whowhenItoldhimwhatIwantedandputthebookintohis
hands,openeditinthemiddleandafterreadingalittleinitbegantolaugh.Iasked
himwhathewaslaughingat,andherepliedthatitwasatsomethingthebookhad
31i.e.,Hebrew
49
writteninthemarginbywayofanote.Ibadehimtellittome;andhestilllaughing
said,"Inthemargin,asItoldyou,thisiswritten:'ThisDulcineadelTobososooften
mentionedinthishistory,had,theysay,thebesthandofanywomaninallLa
Manchaforsaltingpigs.'"
WhenIheardDulcineadelTobosonamed,Iwasstruckwithsurpriseand
amazement,foritoccurredtomeatoncethatthesepamphletscontainedthehistory
ofDonQuixote.WiththisideaIpressedhimtoreadthebeginning,anddoingso,
turningtheArabicoffhandintoCastilian,hetoldmeitmeant,HistoryofDonQuixote
ofLaMancha,writtenbyCideHameteBenengeli32,anArabhistorian.Itrequired
greatcautiontohidethejoyIfeltwhenthetitleofthebookreachedmyears,and
snatchingitfromthesilkmercer,Iboughtallthepapersandpamphletsfromthe
boyforhalfareal;andifhehadhadhiswitsabouthimandhadknownhoweagerI
wasforthem,hemighthavesafelycalculatedonmakingmorethansixrealsbythe
bargain.IwithdrewatoncewiththeMoriscointothecloisterofthecathedral,and
beggedhimtoturnallthesepamphletsthatrelatedtoDonQuixoteintotheCastilian
tongue,withoutomittingoraddinganythingtothem,offeringhimwhatever
paymenthepleased.Hewassatisfiedwithtwoarrobasofraisins33andtwobushels
ofwheat,andpromisedtotranslatethemfaithfullyandwithalldispatch;butto
makethemattereasier,andnottoletsuchapreciousfindoutofmyhands,Itook
himtomyhouse,whereinlittlemorethanamonthandahalfhetranslatedthe
wholejustasitissetdownhere.
InthefirstpamphletthebattlebetweenDonQuixoteandtheBiscayanwasdrawnto
theverylife,theyplantedinthesameattitudeasthehistorydescribes,theirswords
raised,andtheoneprotectedbyhisbuckler,theotherbyhiscushion,andthe
Biscayan'smulesotruetonaturethatitcouldbeseentobeahiredoneabowshot
off.TheBiscayanhadaninscriptionunderhisfeetwhichsaid,"DonSanchode
32Citingsomeancientchronicleastheauthorssourceandauthorityisverymuchin
thetraditionoftheromances.Benengeli,incidentally,meanseggplant.
33About50pounds.
50
Azpeitia,"whichnodoubtmusthavebeenhisname;andatthefeetofRocinante
wasanotherthatsaid,"DonQuixote."Rocinantewasmarvelouslyportrayed,solong
andthin,solankandlean,withsomuchbackboneandsofargoneinconsumption,
thatheshowedplainlywithwhatjudgmentandproprietythenameofRocinante
hadbeenbestoweduponhim.NearhimwasSanchoPanzaholdingthehalterofhis
ass,atwhosefeetwasanotherlabelthatsaid,"SanchoZancas,"andaccordingtothe
picture,hemusthavehadabigbelly,ashortbody,andlongshanks,forwhich
reason,nodoubt,thenamesofPanzaandZancas34weregivenhim,forbythesetwo
surnamesthehistoryseveraltimescallshim.Someothertriflingparticularsmight
bementioned,buttheyareallofslightimportanceandhavenothingtodowiththe
truerelationofthehistory;andnohistorycanbebadsolongasitistrue.
Ifagainstthepresentoneanyobjectionberaisedonthescoreofitstruth,itcanonly
bethatitsauthorwasanArab,aslyingisaverycommonpropensitywiththoseof
thatnation;though,astheyaresuchenemiesofours,itisconceivablethatthere
wereomissionsratherthanadditionsmadeinthecourseofit.Andthisismyown
opinion;for,wherehecouldandshouldgivefreedomtohispeninpraiseofso
worthyaknight,heseemstomedeliberatelytopassitoverinsilence;whichisill
doneandworsecontrived,foritisthebusinessanddutyofhistorianstobeexact,
truthful,andwhollyfreefrompassion,andneitherinterestnorfear,hatrednorlove,
shouldmakethemswervefromthepathoftruth,whosemotherishistory,rivalof
time,storehouseofdeeds,witnessforthepast,exampleandcounselforthepresent,
andwarningforthefuture.InthisIknowwillbefoundallthatcanbedesiredinthe
pleasantest,andifitbewantinginanygoodquality,Imaintainitisthefaultofits
houndofanauthorandnotthefaultofthesubject.Tobebrief,itsSecondPart,
accordingtothetranslation,beganinthisway:
Withtrenchantswordsupraisedandpoisedonhigh,itseemedasthoughthetwo
valiantandwrathfulcombatantsstoodthreateningheaven,andearth,andhell,with
34i.e.,PaunchandShanks
51
suchresolutionanddeterminationdidtheybearthemselves.ThefieryBiscayanwas
thefirsttostrikeablow,whichwasdeliveredwithsuchforceandfurythathadnot
theswordturnedinitscourse,thatsinglestrokewouldhavesufficedtoputanend
tothebitterstruggleandtoalltheadventuresofourknight;butthatgoodfortune
whichreservedhimforgreaterthings,turnedasidetheswordofhisadversary,so
thatalthoughitsmotehimupontheleftshoulder,itdidhimnomoreharmthanto
stripallthatsideofitsarmor,carryingawayagreatpartofhishelmetwithhalfof
hisear,allwhichwithfearfulruinfelltotheground,leavinghiminasorryplight.
GoodGod!Whoistherethatcouldproperlydescribetheragethatfilledtheheartof
ourMancheganwhenhesawhimselfdealtwithinthisfashion?Allthatcanbesaid
is,itwassuchthatheagainraisedhimselfinhisstirrups,and,graspinghissword
morefirmlywithbothhands,hecamedownontheBiscayanwithsuchfury,smiting
himfulloverthecushionandoverthehead,thatevensogoodashieldproving
uselessasifamountainhadfallenonhim,hebegantobleedfromnose,mouth,
andears,reelingasifabouttofallbackwardsfromhismule,asnodoubthewould
havedonehadhenotflunghisarmsaboutitsneck;atthesametime,however,he
slippedhisfeetoutofthestirrupsandthenunclaspedhisarms,andthemule,taking
frightattheterribleblow,madeoffacrosstheplain,andwithafewplungesflungits
mastertotheground.DonQuixotestoodlookingonverycalmly,and,whenhesaw
himfall,leapedfromhishorseandwithgreatbrisknessrantohim,and,presenting
thepointofhisswordtohiseyes,badehimsurrender,orhewouldcuthisheadoff.
TheBiscayanwassobewilderedthathewasunabletoansweraword,anditwould
havegonehardwithhim,soblindwasDonQuixote,hadnottheladiesinthecoach,
whohadhithertobeenwatchingthecombatingreatterror,hastenedtowherehe
stoodandimploredhimwithearnestentreatiestograntthemthegreatgraceand
favorofsparingtheirsquire'slife;towhichDonQuixoterepliedwithmuchgravity
anddignity,"Intruth,fairladies,Iamwellcontenttodowhatyeaskofme;butit
mustbeononeconditionandunderstanding,whichisthatthisknightpromiseme
togotothevillageofElToboso,andonmybehalfpresenthimselfbeforethe
peerlessladyDulcinea,thatshedealwithhimasshallbemostpleasingtoher."
52
Theterrifiedanddisconsolateladies,withoutdiscussingDonQuixote'sdemandor
askingwhoDulcineamightbe,promisedthattheirsquireshoulddoallthathad
beencommanded.
"Then,onthefaithofthatpromise,"saidDonQuixote,"Ishalldohimnofurther
harm,thoughhewelldeservesitofme."
53
CHAPTERX
OFTHEPLEASANTDISCOURSETHATPASSEDBETWEENDONQUIXOTEANDHIS
SQUIRESANCHOPANZA
NowbythistimeSanchohadrisen,rathertheworseforthehandlingofthefriars'
muleteers,andstoodwatchingthebattleofhismaster,DonQuixote,andprayingto
Godinhisheartthatitmightbehiswilltogranthimthevictory,andthathemight
therebywinsomeislandtomakehimgovernorof,ashehadpromised.Seeing,
therefore,thatthestrugglewasnowover,andthathismasterwasreturningto
mountRocinante,heapproachedtoholdthestirrupforhim,and,beforehecould
mount,hewentonhiskneesbeforehim,andtakinghishand,kisseditsaying,"May
itpleaseyourworship,SeorDonQuixote,togivemethegovernmentofthatisland
whichhasbeenwoninthishardfight,forbeiteversobigIfeelmyselfinsufficient
forcetobeabletogovernitasmuchandaswellasanyoneintheworldwhohas
evergovernedislands."
TowhichDonQuixotereplied,"Thoumusttakenotice,brotherSancho,thatthis
adventureandthoselikeitarenotadventuresofislands,butofcrossroads,in
whichnothingisgotexceptabrokenheadoraneartheless:havepatience,for
adventureswillpresentthemselvesfromwhichImaymakeyou,notonlya
governor,butsomethingmore."
Sanchogavehimmanythanks,andagainkissinghishandandtheskirtofhis
hauberk,helpedhimtomountRocinante,andmountinghisasshimself,proceeded
tofollowhismaster,whoatabriskpace,withouttakingleave,orsayinganything
furthertotheladiesbelongingtothecoach,turnedintoawoodthatwashardby.
Sanchofollowedhimathisass'sbesttrot,butRocinantesteppedoutsothat,seeing
himselfleftbehind,hewasforcedtocalltohismastertowaitforhim.DonQuixote
didso,reininginRocinanteuntilhiswearysquirecameup,whoonreachinghim
said,"Itseemstome,seor,itwouldbeprudentinustogoandtakerefugeinsome
54
church,for,seeinghowmauledhewithwhomyoufoughthasbeenleft,itwillbeno
wonderiftheygiveinformationoftheaffairtotheHolyBrotherhoodandarrestus,
and,faith,iftheydo,beforewecomeoutofjailweshallhavetosweatforit."
"Peace,"saidDonQuixote;"wherehastthoueverseenorheardthataknighterrant
hasbeenarraignedbeforeacourtofjustice,howevermanyhomicideshemayhave
committed?"
"Iknownothingaboutomecils,35"answeredSancho,"norinmylifehavehad
anythingtodowithone;IonlyknowthattheHolyBrotherhoodlooksafterthose
whofightinthefields,andinthatothermatterIdonotmeddle."
"Thenthouneedsthavenouneasiness,myfriend,"saidDonQuixote,"forIwill
delivertheeoutofthehandsoftheChaldeans,muchmoreoutofthoseofthe
Brotherhood.Buttellme,asthoulivest,hastthouseenamorevaliantknightthanI
inalltheknownworld;hastthoureadinhistoryofanywhohasorhadhigher
mettleinattack,morespiritinmaintainingit,moredexterityinwoundingorskillin
overthrowing?"
"Thetruthis,"answeredSancho,"thatIhaveneverreadanyhistory,forIcan
neitherreadnorwrite,butwhatIwillventuretobetisthatamoredaringmaster
thanyourworshipIhaveneverservedinallthedaysofmylife,andGodgrantthat
thisdaringbenotpaidforwhereIhavesaid;whatIbegofyourworshipistodress
yourwound,foragreatdealofbloodflowsfromthatear,andIhaveheresomelint
andalittlewhiteointmentinthealforjas."
"Allthatmightbewelldispensedwith,"saidDonQuixote,"ifIhadrememberedto
makeavialofthebalsamofFierabras,fortimeandmedicinearesavedbyonesingle
drop."
35grudges
55
"Whatvialandwhatbalsamisthat?"saidSanchoPanza.
"Itisabalsam,"answeredDonQuixote,"thereceiptofwhichIhaveinmymemory,
withwhichoneneedhavenofearofdeath,ordreaddyingofanywound;andso
whenImakeitandgiveittotheethouhastnothingtodowheninsomebattlethou
seesttheyhavecutmeinhalfthroughthemiddleofthebodyasiswonttohappen
frequently,butneatlyandwithgreatnicety,erethebloodcongeal,toplacethat
portionofthebodywhichshallhavefallentothegroundupontheotherhalfwhich
remainsinthesaddle,takingcaretofititonevenlyandexactly.Thenthoushaltgive
metodrinkbuttwodropsofthebalsamIhavementioned,andthoushaltseeme
becomesounderthananapple."
"Ifthatbeso,"saidPanza,"Irenouncehenceforththegovernmentofthepromised
island,anddesirenothingmoreinpaymentofmymanyandfaithfulservicesthan
thatyourworshipgivemethereceiptofthissupremeliquor,forIampersuadedit
willbeworthmorethantworealsanounceanywhere,andIwantnomorethanto
passtherestofmylifeineaseandhonor;butitremainstobetoldifitcostsmuchto
makeit."
"Withlessthanthreereals,sixquartsofitmaybemade,"saidDonQuixote.
"SinnerthatIam!"saidSancho,"thenwhydoesyourworshipputoffmakingitand
teachingittome?"
"Peace,friend,"answeredDonQuixote;"greatersecretsImeantoteachtheeand
greaterfavorstobestowuponthee;andforthepresentletusseetothedressing,for
myearpainsmemorethanIcouldwish."
Sanchotookoutsomelintandointmentfromthealforjas;butwhenDonQuixote
cametoseehishelmetshattered,hewasliketolosehissenses,andclappinghis
56
handuponhisswordandraisinghiseyestoheaven,besaid,"IswearbytheCreator
ofallthingsandthefourGospelsintheirfullestextent,todoasthegreatMarquisof
MantuadidwhenhesworetoavengethedeathofhisnephewBaldwin(andthat
wasnottoeatbreadfromatablecloth,norembracehiswife,andotherpoints
which,thoughIcannotnowcallthemtomind,Iheregrantasexpressed)untilItake
completevengeanceuponhimwhohascommittedsuchanoffenceagainstme."
Hearingthis,Sanchosaidtohim,"Yourworshipshouldbearinmind,SeorDon
Quixote,thatiftheknighthasdonewhatwascommandedhimingoingtopresent
himselfbeforemyladyDulcineadelToboso,hewillhavedoneallthathewasbound
todo,anddoesnotdeservefurtherpunishmentunlesshecommitssomenew
offence."
"Thouhastsaidwellandhitthepoint,"answeredDonQuixote;andsoIrecallthe
oathinsofarasrelatestotakingfreshvengeanceonhim,butImakeandconfirmit
anewtoleadthelifeIhavesaiduntilsuchtimeasItakebyforcefromsomeknight
anotherhelmetsuchasthisandasgood;andthinknot,Sancho,thatIamraising
smokewithstrawindoingso,forIhaveonetoimitateinthematter,sincethevery
samethingtoahairhappenedinthecaseofMambrino'shelmet,whichcost
Sacripantesodear."36
"Seor,"repliedSancho,"letyourworshipsendallsuchoathstothedevil,forthey
areverypernicioustosalvationandprejudicialtotheconscience;justtellmenow,if
forseveraldaystocomewefallinwithnomanarmedwithahelmet,whatareweto
do?Istheoathtobeobservedinspiteofalltheinconvenienceanddiscomfortitwill
betosleepinyourclothes,andnottosleepinahouse,andathousandother
mortificationscontainedintheoathofthatoldfooltheMarquisofMantua,which
yourworshipisnowwantingtorevive?Letyourworshipobservethatthereareno
36TheenchantedhelmetofMambrino,aMoorishking,isstolenbyRinaldointhe
15thcenturyepicpoemOrlandoInnamorato(RolandinLove)byMatteoMaria
Boiardo.
57
meninarmortravelingonanyoftheseroads,nothingbutcarriersandcarters,who
notonlydonotwearhelmets,butperhapsneverheardtellofthemalltheirlives."
"Thouartwrongthere,"saidDonQuixote,"forweshallnothavebeenabovetwo
hoursamongthesecrossroadsbeforeweseemoremeninarmorthancameto
AlbracatowinthefairAngelica."37
"Enough,"saidSancho;"sobeitthen,andGodgrantussuccess,andthatthetimefor
winningthatislandwhichiscostingmesodearmaysooncome,andthenletme
die."
"Ihavealreadytoldthee,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"nottogivethyselfany
uneasinessonthatscore;forifanislandshouldfail,thereisthekingdomof
Denmark,orofSobradisa,38whichwillfittheeasaringfitsthefinger,andallthe
morethat,beingonterrafirma39,thouwiltallthebetterenjoythyself.Butletus
leavethattoitsowntime;seeifthouhastanythingforustoeatinthosealforjas,
becausewemustpresentlygoinquestofsomecastlewherewemaylodgetonight
andmakethebalsamItoldtheeof,forIsweartotheebyGod,thisearisgivingme
greatpain."
"Ihavehereanonionandalittlecheeseandafewscrapsofbread,"saidSancho,
"buttheyarenotvictualsfitforavaliantknightlikeyourworship."
"Howlittlethouknowestaboutit,"answeredDonQuixote;"Iwouldhavetheeto
know,Sancho,thatitisthegloryofknightserranttogowithouteatingforamonth,
andevenwhentheydoeat,thatitshouldbeofwhatcomesfirsttohand;andthis
wouldhavebeencleartotheehadstthoureadasmanyhistoriesasIhave,for,
37AnotherallusiontoBoiardospoem.
38Animaginaryrealm.
39Solidearth,herealsoFirmIsland,animaginaryfinaldestinationforsquiresof
knightserrant.
58
thoughtheyareverymany,amongthemallIhavefoundnomentionmadeof
knightserranteating,unlessbyaccidentoratsomesumptuousbanquetsprepared
forthem,andtherestofthetimetheypassedindalliance.Andthoughitisplain
theycouldnotdowithouteatingandperformingalltheothernaturalfunctions,
because,infact,theyweremenlikeourselves,itisplaintoothat,wanderingasthey
didthemostpartoftheirlivesthroughwoodsandwildsandwithoutacook,their
mostusualfarewouldberusticviandssuchasthosethounowofferme;sothat,
friendSancho,letnotthatdistresstheewhichpleasesme,anddonotseektomakea
newworldorpervertknighterrantry."
"Pardonme,yourworship,"saidSancho,"for,asIcannotreadorwrite,asIsaidjust
now,Ineitherknownorcomprehendtherulesoftheprofessionofchivalry:
henceforwardIwillstockthealforjaswitheverykindofdryfruitforyourworship,
asyouareaknight;andformyself,asIamnotone,Iwillfurnishthemwithpoultry
andotherthingsmoresubstantial."
"Idonotsay,Sancho,"repliedDonQuixote,"thatitisimperativeonknightserrant
nottoeatanythingelsebutthefruitsthouspeakestof;onlythattheirmoreusual
dietmustbethose,andcertainherbstheyfoundinthefieldswhichtheyknewandI
knowtoo."
"Agoodthingitis,"answeredSancho,"toknowthoseherbs,fortomythinkingit
willbeneedfulsomedaytoputthatknowledgeintopractice."
Andheretakingoutwhathesaidhehadbrought,thepairmadetheirrepast
peaceablyandsociably.Butanxioustofindquartersforthenight,theywithall
despatchmadeanendoftheirpoordryfare,mountedatonce,andmadehasteto
reachsomehabitationbeforenightsetin;butdaylightandthehopeofsucceedingin
theirobjectfailedthemclosebythehutsofsomegoatherds,sotheydeterminedto
passthenightthere,anditwasasmuchtoSancho'sdiscontentnottohavereached
ahouse,asitwastohismaster'ssatisfactiontosleepundertheopenheaven,forhe
59
fanciedthateachtimethishappenedtohimheperformedanactofownershipthat
helpedtoprovehischivalry.
60
CHAPTERXI
WHATBEFELLDONQUIXOTEWITHCERTAINGOATHERDS
Hewascordiallywelcomedbythegoatherds,andSancho,havingasbesthecould
putupRocinanteandtheass,drewtowardsthefragrancethatcamefromsome
piecesofsaltedgoatsimmeringinapotonthefire;andthoughhewouldhaveliked
atoncetotryiftheywerereadytobetransferredfromthepottothestomach,he
refrainedfromdoingsoasthegoatherdsremovedthemfromthefire,andlaying
sheepskinsontheground,quicklyspreadtheirrudetable,andwithsignsofhearty
goodwillinvitedthembothtosharewhattheyhad.Roundtheskinssixofthemen
belongingtothefoldseatedthemselves,havingfirstwithroughpolitenesspressed
DonQuixotetotakeaseatuponatroughwhichtheyplacedforhimupsidedown.
DonQuixoteseatedhimself,andSanchoremainedstandingtoservethecup,which
wasmadeofhorn.Seeinghimstanding,hismastersaidtohim:
"Thatthoumayestsee,Sancho,thegoodthatknighterrantrycontainsinitself,and
howthosewhofillanyofficeinitareonthehighroadtobespeedilyhonouredand
esteemedbytheworld,Idesirethatthouseatthyselfhereatmysideandinthe
companyoftheseworthypeople,andthatthoubeonewithmewhoamthymaster
andnaturallord,andthatthoueatfrommyplateanddrinkfromwhateverIdrink
from;forthesamemaybesaidofknighterrantryasoflove,thatitlevelsall."
"Greatthanks,"saidSancho,"butImaytellyourworshipthatprovidedIhave
enoughtoeat,Icaneatitaswell,orbetter,standing,andbymyself,thanseated
alongsideofanemperor.Andindeed,ifthetruthistobetold,whatIeatinmy
cornerwithoutformorfusshasmuchmorerelishforme,eventhoughitbebread
andonions,thantheturkeysofthoseothertableswhereIamforcedtochewslowly,
drinklittle,wipemymoutheveryminute,andcannotsneezeorcoughifIwantordo
61
otherthingsthataretheprivilegesoflibertyandsolitude.So,seor,asforthese
honorswhichyourworshipwouldputuponmeasaservantandfollowerofknight
errantry,exchangethemforotherthingswhichmaybeofmoreuseandadvantage
tome;forthese,thoughIfullyacknowledgethemasreceived,Irenouncefromthis
momenttotheendoftheworld."
"Forallthat,"saidDonQuixote,"thoumustseatthyself,becausehimwhohumbleth
himselfGodexalteth;"andseizinghimbythearmheforcedhimtositdownbeside
himself.
Thegoatherdsdidnotunderstandthisjargonaboutsquiresandknightserrant,and
alltheydidwastoeatinsilenceandstareattheirguests,whowithgreatelegance
andappetitewerestowingawaypiecesasbigasone'sfist.Thecourseofmeat
finished,theyspreaduponthesheepskinsagreatheapofparchedacorns,andwith
themtheyputdownahalfcheeseharderthanifithadbeenmadeofmortar.Allthis
whilethehornwasnotidle,foritwentroundsoconstantly,nowfull,nowempty,
likethebucketofawaterwheel,thatitsoondrainedoneofthetwowineskinsthat
wereinsight.WhenDonQuixotehadquiteappeasedhisappetitehetookupa
handfuloftheacorns,andcontemplatingthemattentivelydeliveredhimself
somewhatinthisfashion:
"Happytheage,happythetime,towhichtheancientsgavethenameofgolden,not
becauseinthatfortunateagethegoldsocovetedinthisourirononewasgained
withouttoil,butbecausetheythatlivedinitknewnotthetwowords"mine"and
"thine"!Inthatblessedageallthingswereincommon;towinthedailyfoodnolabor
wasrequiredofanysavetostretchforthhishandandgatheritfromthesturdyoaks
thatstoodgenerouslyinvitinghimwiththeirsweetripefruit.Theclearstreamsand
runningbrooksyieldedtheirsavorylimpidwatersinnobleabundance.Thebusy
andsagaciousbeesfixedtheirrepublicinthecleftsoftherocksandhollowsofthe
trees,offeringwithoutusancetheplenteousproduceoftheirfragranttoiltoevery
hand.Themightycorktrees,unenforcedsaveoftheirowncourtesy,shedthebroad
62
lightbarkthatservedatfirsttoroofthehousessupportedbyrudestakes,a
protectionagainsttheinclemencyofheavenalone.Thenallwaspeace,all
friendship,allconcord;asyetthedullshareofthecrookedploughhadnotdaredto
rendandpiercethetenderbowelsofourfirstmotherthatwithoutcompulsion
yieldedfromeveryportionofherbroadfertilebosomallthatcouldsatisfy,sustain,
anddelightthechildrenthatthenpossessedher.Thenwasitthattheinnocentand
fairyoungshepherdessroamedfromvaletovaleandhilltohill,withflowinglocks,
andnomoregarmentsthanwereneedfulmodestlytocoverwhatmodestyseeks
andeversoughttohide.Norweretheirornamentslikethoseinusetoday,setoffby
Tyrianpurple,andsilktorturedinendlessfashions,butthewreathedleavesofthe
greendockandivy,wherewiththeywentasbravelyandbecominglydeckedasour
Courtdameswithalltherareandfarfetchedartificesthatidlecuriosityhastaught
them.Thenthelovethoughtsoftheheartclothedthemselvessimplyandnaturally
astheheartconceivedthem,norsoughttocommendthemselvesbyforcedand
ramblingverbiage.Fraud,deceit,ormalicehadthennotyetmingledwithtruthand
sincerity.Justiceheldherground,undisturbedandunassailedbytheeffortsoffavor
andofinterest,thatnowsomuchimpair,pervert,andbesether.Arbitrarylawhad
notyetestablisheditselfinthemindofthejudge,forthentherewasnocauseto
judgeandnoonetobejudged.Maidensandmodesty,asIhavesaid,wanderedat
willaloneandunattended,withoutfearofinsultfromlawlessnessorlibertine
assault,andiftheywereundoneitwasoftheirownwillandpleasure.Butnowin
thishatefulageofoursnotoneissafe,notthoughsomenewlabyrinthlikethatof
Creteconcealandsurroundher;eventherethepestilenceofgallantrywillmakeits
waytothemthroughchinksorontheairbythezealofitsaccursedimportunity,
and,despiteofallseclusion,leadthemtoruin.Indefenseofthese,astimeadvanced
andwickednessincreased,theorderofknightserrantwasinstituted,todefend
maidens,toprotectwidowsandtosuccortheorphansandtheneedy.TothisorderI
belong,brothergoatherds,towhomIreturnthanksforthehospitalityandkindly
welcomeyeoffermeandmysquire;forthoughbynaturallawalllivingareboundto
showfavortoknightserrant,yet,seeingthatwithoutknowingthisobligationye
63
havewelcomedandfeastedme,itisrightthatwithallthegoodwillinmypowerI
shouldthankyouforyours."
Allthislongharangue(whichmightverywellhavebeenspared)ourknight
deliveredbecausetheacornstheygavehimremindedhimofthegoldenage;andthe
whimseizedhimtoaddressallthisunnecessaryargumenttothegoatherds,who
listenedtohimgapinginamazementwithoutsayingawordinreply.Sancho
likewiseheldhispeaceandateacorns,andpaidrepeatedvisitstothesecondwine
skin,whichtheyhadhunguponacorktreetokeepthewinecool.
DonQuixotewaslongerintalkingthanthesupperinfinishing,attheendofwhich
oneofthegoatherdssaid,"Thatyourworship,seorknighterrant,maysaywith
moretruththatweshowyouhospitalitywithreadygoodwill,wewillgiveyou
amusementandpleasurebymakingoneofourcomradessing:hewillbehere
beforelong,andheisaveryintelligentyouthanddeepinlove,andwhatismorehe
canreadandwriteandplayontherebeck40toperfection."
Thegoatherdhadhardlydonespeaking,whenthenotesoftherebeckreachedtheir
ears;andshortlyafter,theplayercameup,averygoodlookingyoungmanofabout
twoandtwenty.Hiscomradesaskedhimifhehadsupped,andonhisreplyingthat
hehad,hewhohadalreadymadetheoffersaidtohim:
"Inthatcase,Antonio,thoumayestaswelldousthepleasureofsingingalittle,that
thegentleman,ourguest,mayseethateveninthemountainsandwoodsthereare
musicians:wehavetoldhimofthyaccomplishments,andwewanttheetoshow
themandprovethatwesaytrue;so,asthoulivest,praysitdownandsingthat
balladaboutthylovethatthyuncletheprebendary41madethee,andthatwasso
muchlikedinthetown."
40Apearshaped,twoorthreestringedmedievalinstrument,playedwithabow.
41acanonormemberofthechapterofacathedralorcollegiatechurchwhoholdsa
prebendthatis,astipendoragrant.
64
"Withallmyheart,"saidtheyoungman,andwithoutwaitingformorepressinghe
seatedhimselfonthetrunkofafelledoak,andtuninghisrebeck,presentlybeganto
singtothesewords.
ANTONIO'SBALLAD
Iknowwellthatthoudoesloveme,
MyOlalla,eventhough
Eyesofthinehaveneverspoken
Lovesmutetonguestotellmeso.
SinceIknowthouknowestmypassion,
OfthyloveIammoresure;
Noloveeverywasunhappy
Whenitwasbothfrankandpure.
Trueitis,Olalla,sometimes
Thouaheartofbronzehastshown,
Anditseemedtomethatbosom,
Whiteandfair,wasmadeofstone.
Yetinspiteofallrepulses
Andachastitysocold,
ItappearedthatIHopesgarment
Bythehemdidclutchandhold.
FormyfaithIevercherished;
Itwouldrisetomeetthebait;
Spurned,itneverdiddiminish;
Favored,itpreferredtowait.
Love,theysay,hathgentlemanners:
Thusitisitshowsitsface;
ThenmayItakehope,Olalla,
Trusttowinalongedforgrace.
Ifdevotionhaththepower
Heartstomoveandmakethemkind,
LettheloyaltyIveshownthee
Pleadmycause,bekeptinmind.
Forifthoudidstnotemycostume,
Morethanoncethoumusthaveseen,
WornuponasimpleMonday
Sundaysgarbsobrightandclean.
Loveandbrightnessgotogether.
Dostthouaskthereasonwhy
IthusdeckmyselfonMonday?
Itisbuttocatchthineeye.
Isaynothingofthedances
Ihavedancedforthysweetsake;
NortheserenadesIvesungthee
Tillthefirstcockdidawake.
NorwillIrepeatmypraises
Ofthatbeautyallcansee;
True,mywordsbutoftunwelcome
Manylasseshatedme.
ForTeresaofthehillside
Atmypraiseoftheewassore;
Said,"Youthinkyouloveanangel;
It'samonkeyyouadore;
"Caughtbyallherglitteringtrinkets,
Andherartificialhair,
Andhermanyaidstobeauty,
ThatwouldLovehimselfensnare."
65
66
'Twasalie,andsoItoldher,
Andhercousin,verybold,
Challengedmeuponmyhonor;
Whatensuedneednotbetold.42
Highflownwordsdonotbecomeme;
Imaplainandsimpleman.
PurethelovethatIwouldoffer,
ServingtheeasbestIcan.
Silkenarethebondsofmarriage,
Whentwoheartsdointertwine;
MotherChurchtheyokewillfasten;
BowyourneckandIllbowmine.
Orifnot,mywordIllgivethee,
FromthesemountainsIllcomedown
Saintmostholdbemywitness
WearingaCapuchingown.43
Herethegoatherdbroughthissongtoanend,andthoughDonQuixoteentreated
himtosingmore,Sanchohadnomindthatway,beingmoreinclinedforsleepthan
forlisteningtosongs;sosaidhetohismaster,"Yourworshipwilldowelltosettleat
oncewhereyoumeantopassthenight,forthelaborthesegoodmenareatallday
doesnotallowthemtospendthenightinsinging."
"Iunderstandthee,Sancho,"repliedDonQuixote;"Iperceiveclearlythatthosevisits
tothewineskindemandcompensationinsleepratherthaninmusic."
"It'ssweettousall,blessedbeGod,"saidSancho.
42Essentially,hekilledthecousininaduel.
43Inotherwords,hellbecomeamonk.
67
"Idonotdenyit,"repliedDonQuixote;"butsettlethyselfwherethouwilt;thoseof
mycallingaremorebecominglyemployedinwatchingthaninsleeping;stillit
wouldbeaswellifthouwerttodressthisearformeagain,foritisgivingmemore
painthanitneed."
Sanchodidashebadehim,butoneofthegoatherds,seeingthewound,toldhimnot
tobeuneasy,ashewouldapplyaremedywithwhichitwouldbesoonhealed;and
gatheringsomeleavesofrosemary,ofwhichtherewasagreatquantitythere,he
chewedthemandmixedthemwithalittlesalt,andapplyingthemtotheearhe
securedthemfirmlywithabandage,assuringhimthatnoothertreatmentwouldbe
required,andsoitproved.
68
CHAPTERXII.
OFWHATAGOATHERDRELATEDTOTHOSEWITHDONQUIXOTE
Justthenanotheryoungman,oneofthosewhofetchedtheirprovisionsfromthe
village,cameupandsaid,"Doyouknowwhatisgoingoninthevillage,comrades?"
"Howcouldweknowit?"repliedoneofthem.
"Well,then,youmustknow,"continuedtheyoungman,"thismorningthatfamous
studentshepherdcalledChrysostomodied,anditisrumoredthathediedoflovefor
thatdevilofavillagegirlthedaughterofGuillermotheRich,shethatwandersabout
thewolds44hereinthedressofashepherdess."
"YoumeanMarcela?"saidone.
"HerImean,"answeredthegoatherd;"andthebestofitis,hehasdirectedinhis
willthatheistobeburiedinthefieldslikeaMoor,andatthefootoftherockwhere
theCorktreespringis,because,asthestorygoes(andtheysayhehimselfsaidso),
thatwastheplacewherehefirstsawher.Andhehasalsoleftotherdirections
whichtheclergyofthevillagesayshouldnotandmustnotbeobeyedbecausethey
savorofpaganism.ToallwhichhisgreatfriendAmbrosiothestudent,hewho,like
him,alsowentdressedasashepherd,repliesthateverythingmustbedonewithout
anyomissionaccordingtothedirectionsleftbyChrysostomo,andaboutthisthe
villageisallincommotion;however,reportsaysthat,afterall,whatAmbrosioand
alltheshepherdshisfriendsdesirewillbedone,andtomorrowtheyarecomingto
buryhimwithgreatceremonywhereIsaid.Iamsureitwillbesomethingworth
seeing;atleastIwillnotfailtogoandseeitevenifIknewIshouldnotreturntothe
villagetomorrow."
44Unforestedrollingplains;amoor.
69
"Wewilldothesame,"answeredthegoatherds,"andcastlotstoseewhomuststay
tomindthegoatsofall."
"Thousayestwell,Pedro,"saidone,"thoughtherewillbenoneedoftakingthat
trouble,forIwillstaybehindforall;anddon'tsupposeitisvirtueorwantof
curiosityinme;itisthatthesplinterthatranintomyfoottheotherdaywillnotlet
mewalk."
"Forallthat,wethankthee,"answeredPedro.
DonQuixoteaskedPedrototellhimwhothedeadmanwasandwhothe
shepherdess,towhichPedrorepliedthatallheknewwasthatthedeadmanwasa
wealthygentlemanbelongingtoavillageinthosemountains,whohadbeena
studentatSalamancaformanyyears,attheendofwhichhereturnedtohisvillage
withthereputationofbeingverylearnedanddeeplyread."Aboveall,theysaid,he
waslearnedinthescienceofthestarsandofwhatwentonyonderintheheavens
andthesunandthemoon,forhetoldusoftheclipsofthesunandmoontoexact
time."
"Eclipseitiscalled,friend,notclips,thedarkeningofthosetwoluminaries,"said
DonQuixote;butPedro,nottroublinghimselfwithtrifles,wentonwithhisstory,
saying,"Alsoheforetoldwhentheyearwasgoingtobeoneofabundanceor
estility."
"Sterility,youmean,"saidDonQuixote.
"Sterilityorestility,"answeredPedro,"itisallthesameintheend.AndIcantellyou
thatbythishisfatherandfriendswhobelievedhimgrewveryrichbecausetheydid
asheadvisedthem,biddingthem'sowbarleythisyear,notwheat;thisyearyou
70
maysowpulseandnotbarley;thenexttherewillbeafulloilcrop,andthethree
followingnotadropwillbegot.'"
"Thatscienceiscalledastrology,"saidDonQuixote.
"Idonotknowwhatitiscalled,"repliedPedro,"butIknowthatheknewallthisand
morebesides.But,tomakeanend,notmanymonthshadpassedafterhereturned
fromSalamanca,whenonedayheappeareddressedasashepherdwithhiscrook
andsheepskin,havingputoffthelonggownheworeasascholar;andatthesame
timehisgreatfriend,Ambrosiobyname,whohadbeenhiscompanioninhis
studies,tooktotheshepherd'sdresswithhim.IforgottosaythatChrysostomo,
whoisdead,wasagreatmanforwritingverses,somuchsothathemadecarolsfor
ChristmasEve,andplaysforCorpusChristi,whichtheyoungmenofourvillage
acted,andallsaidtheywereexcellent.Whenthevillagerssawthetwoscholarsso
unexpectedlyappearinginshepherd'sdress,theywerelostinwonder,andcould
notguesswhathadledthemtomakesoextraordinaryachange.Aboutthistimethe
fatherofourChrysostomodied,andhewasleftheirtoalargeamountofpropertyin
chattelsaswellasinland,nosmallnumberofcattleandsheep,andalargesumof
money,ofallofwhichtheyoungmanwasleftdissoluteowner,andindeedhewas
deservingofitall,forhewasaverygoodcomrade,andkindhearted,andafriendof
worthyfolk,andhadacountenancelikeabenediction.Presentlyitcametobe
knownthathehadchangedhisdresswithnootherobjectthantowanderabout
thesewastesafterthatshepherdessMarcelaourladmentionedawhileago,with
whomthedeceasedChrysostomohadfalleninlove.AndImusttellyounow,foritis
wellyoushouldknowit,whothisgirlis;perhaps,andevenwithoutanyperhaps,
youwillnothaveheardanythinglikeitallthedaysofyourlife,thoughyoushould
livemoreyearsthansarna45."
"SaySara,"saidDonQuixote,unabletoendurethegoatherd'sconfusionofwords.
45Sarnameansitch.Olderthantheitchwasaproverbialexpression.
71
"Thesarnaliveslongenough,"answeredPedro;"andif,seor,youmustgofinding
faultwithwordsateverystep,weshallnotmakeanendofitthistwelvemonth."
"Pardonme,friend,"saidDonQuixote;"but,asthereissuchadifferencebetween
sarnaandSara,Itoldyouofit;however,youhaveansweredveryrightly,forsarna
liveslongerthanSara:socontinueyourstory,andIwillnotobjectanymoreto
anything."
"Isaythen,mydearsir,"saidthegoatherd,"thatinourvillagetherewasafarmer
evenricherthanthefatherofChrysostomo,whowasnamedGuillermo,andupon
whomGodbestowed,overandabovegreatwealth,adaughteratwhosebirthher
motherdied,themostrespectedwomantherewasinthisneighborhood;IfancyI
canseehernowwiththatcountenancewhichhadthesunononesideandthemoon
ontheother;andmoreoveractive,andkindtothepoor,forwhichItrustthatatthe
presentmomenthersoulisinblisswithGodintheotherworld.Herhusband
Guillermodiedofgriefatthedeathofsogoodawife,leavinghisdaughterMarcela,a
childandrich,tothecareofanuncleofhers,apriestandprebendaryinourvillage.
Thegirlgrewupwithsuchbeautythatitremindedusofhermother's,whichwas
verygreat,andyetitwasthoughtthatthedaughter'swouldexceedit;andsowhen
shereachedtheageoffourteentofifteenyearsnobodybeheldherbutblessedGod
thathadmadehersobeautiful,andthegreaternumberwereinlovewithherpast
redemption.Herunclekeptheringreatseclusionandretirement,butforallthatthe
fameofhergreatbeautyspreadsothat,aswellforitasforhergreatwealth,her
unclewasasked,solicited,andimportuned,togiveherinmarriagenotonlybythose
ofourtownbutofthosemanyleaguesround,andbythepersonsofhighestquality
inthem.Buthe,beingagoodChristianman,thoughhedesiredtogiveherin
marriageatonce,seeinghertobeoldenough,wasunwillingtodosowithouther
consent,notthathehadanyeyetothegainandprofitwhichthecustodyofthegirl's
propertybroughthimwhileheputoffhermarriage;and,faith,thiswassaidin
praiseofthegoodpriestinmorethanonesetinthetown.ForIwouldhaveyou
72
know,SirKnight,thatintheselittlevillageseverythingistalkedaboutand
everythingiscarpedat,andrestassured,asIam,thatthepriestmustbeoverand
abovegoodwhoforceshisparishionerstospeakwellofhim,especiallyinvillages."
"Thatisthetruth,"saidDonQuixote;"butgoon,forthestoryisverygood,andyou,
goodPedro,tellitwithverygoodgrace."
"MaythatoftheLordnotbewantingtome,"saidPedro;"thatistheonetohave.To
proceed;youmustknowthatthoughtheuncleputbeforehisnieceanddescribedto
herthequalitiesofeachoneinparticularofthemanywhohadaskedherin
marriage,begginghertomarryandmakeachoiceaccordingtoherowntaste,she
nevergaveanyotheranswerthanthatshehadnodesiretomarryjustyet,andthat
beingsoyoungshedidnotthinkherselffittobeartheburdenofmatrimony.At
these,toallappearance,reasonableexcusesthatshemade,heruncleceasedtourge
her,andwaitedtillshewassomewhatmoreadvancedinageandcouldmateherself
toherownliking.For,saidheandhesaidquiterightparentsarenottosettle
childreninlifeagainsttheirwill.Butwhenoneleastlookedforit,loandbehold!one
daythedemureMarcelamakesherappearanceturnedshepherdess;and,inspiteof
heruncleandallthoseofthetownthatstrovetodissuadeher,tooktogoingafield
withtheothershepherdlassesofthevillage,andtendingherownflock.Andso,
sincesheappearedinpublic,andherbeautycametobeseenopenly,Icouldnot
welltellyouhowmanyrichyouths,gentlemenandpeasants,haveadoptedthe
costumeofChrysostomo,andgoaboutthesefieldsmakinglovetoher.Oneofthese,
ashasbeenalreadysaid,wasourdeceasedfriend,ofwhomtheysaythathedidnot
lovebutadoreher.Butyoumustnotsuppose,becauseMarcelachosealifeofsuch
libertyandindependence,andofsolittleorrathernoretirement,thatshehasgiven
anyoccasion,oreventhesemblanceofone,fordisparagementofherpurityand
modesty;onthecontrary,suchandsogreatisthevigilancewithwhichshewatches
overherhonor,thatofallthosethatcourtandwoohernotonehasboasted,orcan
withtruthboast,thatshehasgivenhimanyhopehoweversmallofobtaininghis
desire.Foralthoughshedoesnotavoidorshunthesocietyandconversationofthe
73
shepherds,andtreatsthemcourteouslyandkindly,shouldanyoneofthemcometo
declarehisintentiontoher,thoughitbeoneasproperandholyasthatof
matrimony,sheflingshimfromherlikeacatapult.Andwiththiskindofdisposition
shedoesmoreharminthiscountrythaniftheplaguehadgotintoit,forher
affabilityandherbeautydrawontheheartsofthosethatassociatewithhertolove
herandtocourther,butherscornandherfranknessbringthemtothebrinkof
despair;andsotheyknownotwhattosaysavetoproclaimheraloudcrueland
hardhearted,andothernamesofthesamesortwhichwelldescribethenatureof
hercharacter;andifyoushouldremainhereanytime,seor,youwouldhearthese
hillsandvalleysresoundingwiththelamentsoftherejectedoneswhopursueher.
Notfarfromthisthereisaspotwherethereareacoupleofdozenoftallbeeches,
andthereisnotoneofthembuthascarvedandwrittenonitssmoothbarkthe
nameofMarcela,andabovesomeacrowncarvedonthesametreeasthoughher
loverwouldsaymoreplainlythatMarcelaworeanddeservedthatofallhuman
beauty.Hereoneshepherdissighing,thereanotherislamenting;therelovesongs
areheard,heredespairingelegies.Onewillpassallthehoursofthenightseatedat
thefootofsomeoakorrock,andthere,withouthavingclosedhisweepingeyes,the
sunfindshiminthemorningbemusedandbereftofsense;andanotherwithout
relieforrespitetohissighs,stretchedontheburningsandinthefullheatofthe
sultrysummernoontide,makeshisappealtothecompassionateheavens,andover
oneandtheother,overtheseandall,thebeautifulMarcelatriumphsfreeand
careless.Andallofusthatknowherarewaitingtoseewhatherpridewillcometo,
andwhoistobethehappymanthatwillsucceedintaminganaturesoformidable
andgainingpossessionofabeautysosupreme.AllthatIhavetoldyoubeingsuch
wellestablishedtruth,Iampersuadedthatwhattheysayofthecauseof
Chrysostomo'sdeath,asourladtoldus,isthesame.AndsoIadviseyou,seor,fail
nottobepresenttomorrowathisburial,whichwillbewellworthseeing,for
Chrysostomohadmanyfriends,anditisnothalfaleaguefromthisplacetowhere
hedirectedheshouldbeburied."
74
"Iwillmakeapointofit,"saidDonQuixote,"andIthankyouforthepleasureyou
havegivenmebyrelatingsointerestingatale."
"Oh,"saidthegoatherd,"Idonotknoweventhehalfofwhathashappenedtothe
loversofMarcela,butperhapstomorrowwemayfallinwithsomeshepherdonthe
roadwhocantellus;andnowitwillbewellforyoutogoandsleepundercover,for
thenightairmayhurtyourwound,thoughwiththeremedyIhaveappliedtoyou
thereisnofearofanuntowardresult."
SanchoPanza,whowaswishingthegoatherd'sloquacityatthedevil,onhispart
beggedhismastertogointoPedro'shuttosleep.Hedidso,andpassedalltherest
ofthenightinthinkingofhisladyDulcinea,inimitationoftheloversofMarcela.
SanchoPanzasettledhimselfbetweenRocinanteandhisass,andslept,notlikea
loverwhohadbeendiscarded,butlikeamanwhohadbeensoundlykicked.
75
CHAPTERXIII.
INWHICHISENDEDTHESTORYOFTHESHEPHERDESSMARCELA,WITHOTHER
INCIDENTS
Dayhadbarelybeguntoshowitselfthroughthebalconiesoftheeast,whenfiveof
thesixgoatherdscametorouseDonQuixoteandtellhimthatifhewasstillofa
mindtogoandseethefamousburialofChrysostomotheywouldbearhim
company.DonQuixote,whodesirednothingbetter,roseandorderedSanchoto
saddleatonce,whichhedidwithalldespatch,andwiththesametheyallsetout
forthwith.Theyhadnotgoneaquarterofaleaguewhenatthemeetingoftwopaths
theysawcomingtowardsthemsomesixshepherdsdressedinblacksheepskinsand
withtheirheadscrownedwithgarlandsofcypressandbitteroleander.Eachofthem
carriedastouthollystaffinhishand,andalongwiththemtherecametwomenof
qualityonhorsebackinhandsometravelingdress,withthreeservantsonfoot
accompanyingthem.Courteoussalutationswereexchangedonmeeting,and
inquiringoneoftheotherwhichwayeachpartywasgoing,theylearnedthatall
wereboundforthesceneoftheburial,sotheywentonalltogether.
Oneofthoseonhorsebackaddressinghiscompanionsaidtohim,"Itseemstome,
SeorVivaldo,thatwemayreckonaswellspentthedelayweshallincurinseeing
thisremarkablefuneral,forremarkableitcannotbutbejudgingbythestrange
thingstheseshepherdshavetoldus,ofboththedeadshepherdandhomicide
shepherdess."
"SoIthinktoo,"repliedVivaldo,"andIwoulddelaynottosayaday,butfour,forthe
sakeofseeingit."
DonQuixoteaskedthemwhatitwastheyhadheardofMarcelaandChrysostomo.
Thetraveleransweredthatthesamemorningtheyhadmettheseshepherds,and
seeingthemdressedinthismournfulfashiontheyhadaskedthemthereasonof
76
theirappearinginsuchaguise;whichoneofthemgave,describingthestrange
behaviorandbeautyofashepherdesscalledMarcela,andthelovesofmanywho
courtedher,togetherwiththedeathofthatChrysostomotowhoseburialtheywere
going.Inshort,herepeatedallthatPedrohadrelatedtoDonQuixote.
Thisconversationdropped,andanotherwascommencedbyhimwhowascalled
VivaldoaskingDonQuixotewhatwasthereasonthatledhimtogoarmedinthat
fashioninacountrysopeaceful.TowhichDonQuixotereplied,"Thepursuitofmy
callingdoesnotalloworpermitmetogoinanyotherfashion;easylife,enjoyment,
andreposewereinventedforsoftcourtiers,buttoil,unrest,andarmswereinvented
andmadeforthosealonewhomtheworldcallsknightserrant,ofwhomI,though
unworthy,amtheleastofall."
Theinstanttheyheardthisallsethimdownasmad,andthebettertosettlethe
pointanddiscoverwhatkindofmadnesshiswas,Vivaldoproceededtoaskhim
whatknightserrantmeant.
"Havenotyourworships,"repliedDonQuixote,"readtheannalsandhistoriesof
England,inwhicharerecordedthefamousdeedsofKingArthur,whomweinour
popularCastilianinvariablycallKingArtus,withregardtowhomitisanancient
tradition,andcommonlyreceivedalloverthatkingdomofGreatBritain,thatthis
kingdidnotdie,butwaschangedbymagicartintoaraven,andthatinprocessof
timeheistoreturntoreignandrecoverhiskingdomandscepter;forwhichreason
itcannotbeprovedthatfromthattimetothisanyEnglishmaneverkilledaraven?
Well,then,inthetimeofthisgoodkingthatfamousorderofchivalryoftheKnights
oftheRoundTablewasinstituted,andtheamourofDonLancelotoftheLakewith
theQueenGuinevereoccurred,preciselyasisthererelated,thegobetweenand
confidantethereinbeingthehighlyhonorabledameQuintanona,whencecamethat
balladsowellknownandwidelyspreadinourSpain
77
Oneversurelywasthereknight
Soservedbyhandofdame,
AstheonetheycallSirLancelot
WhenhefromBritaincame
withallthesweetanddelectablecourseofhisachievementsinloveandwar.
Handeddownfromthattime,then,thisorderofchivalrywentonextendingand
spreadingitselfovermanyandvariouspartsoftheworld;andinit,famousand
renownedfortheirdeeds,werethemightyAmadisofGaulwithallhissonsand
descendantstothefifthgeneration,andthevaliantFelixmarteofHircania,andthe
neversufficientlypraisedTiranteelBlanco,andinourowndaysalmostwehave
seenandheardandtalkedwiththeinvincibleknightDonBelianisofGreece.This,
then,sirs,istobeaknighterrant,andwhatIhavespokenofistheorderofhis
chivalry,ofwhich,asIhavealreadysaid,I,thoughasinner,havemadeprofession,
andwhattheaforesaidknightsprofessedthatsamedoIprofess,andsoIgothrough
thesesolitudesandwildsseekingadventures,resolvedinsoultoopposemyarm
andpersontothemostperilousthatfortunemayoffermeinaidoftheweakand
needy."
BythesewordsofhisthetravelerswereabletosatisfythemselvesofDonQuixote's
beingoutofhissensesandoftheformofmadnessthatovermasteredhim,atwhich
theyfeltthesameastonishmentthatallfeltonfirstbecomingacquaintedwithit;
andVivaldo,whowasapersonofgreatshrewdnessandofalivelytemperament,in
ordertobeguiletheshortjourneywhichtheysaidwasrequiredtoreachthe
mountain,thesceneoftheburial,soughttogivehimanopportunityofgoingon
withhisabsurdities.Sohesaidtohim,"Itseemstome,SeorKnighterrant,that
yourworshiphasmadechoiceofoneofthemostaustereprofessionsintheworld,
andIimagineeventhatoftheCarthusianmonksisnotsoaustere."
"Asaustereitmayperhapsbe,"repliedourDonQuixote,"butsonecessaryforthe
worldIamverymuchinclinedtodoubt.For,ifthetruthistobetold,thesoldier
78
whoexecuteswhathiscaptainordersdoesnolessthanthecaptainhimselfwho
givestheorder.Mymeaning,is,thatchurchmeninpeaceandquietpraytoHeaven
forthewelfareoftheworld,butwesoldiersandknightscarryintoeffectwhatthey
prayfor,defendingitwiththemightofourarmsandtheedgeofourswords,not
undershelterbutintheopenair,atargetfortheintolerableraysofthesunin
summerandthepiercingfrostsofwinter.ThusareweGod'sministersonearthand
thearmsbywhichhisjusticeisdonetherein.Andasthebusinessofwarandallthat
relatesandbelongstoitcannotbeconductedwithoutexceedinggreatsweat,toil,
andexertion,itfollowsthatthosewhomakeittheirprofessionhaveundoubtedly
morelaborthanthosewhointranquilpeaceandquietareengagedinprayingto
Godtohelptheweak.Idonotmeantosay,nordoesitenterintomythoughts,that
theknighterrant'scallingisasgoodasthatofthemonkinhiscell;Iwouldmerely
inferfromwhatIenduremyselfthatitisbeyondadoubtamorelaboriousanda
morebelaboredone,ahungrierandthirstier,awretcheder,raggeder,andlousier;
forthereisnoreasontodoubtthattheknightserrantofyoreenduredmuch
hardshipinthecourseoftheirlives.Andifsomeofthembythemightoftheirarms
didrisetobeemperors,infaithitcostthemdearinthematterofbloodandsweat;
andifthosewhoattainedtothatrankhadnothadmagiciansandsagestohelpthem
theywouldhavebeencompletelybaulkedintheirambitionanddisappointedin
theirhopes."
"Thatismyownopinion,"repliedthetraveler;"butonethingamongmanyothers
seemstomeverywronginknightserrant,andthatisthatwhentheyfind
themselvesabouttoengageinsomemightyandperilousadventureinwhichthere
ismanifestdangeroflosingtheirlives,theyneveratthemomentofengaginginit
thinkofcommendingthemselvestoGod,asisthedutyofeverygoodChristianin
likeperil;insteadofwhichtheycommendthemselvestotheirladieswithasmuch
devotionasiftheseweretheirgods,athingwhichseemstometosavorsomewhat
ofheathenism."
79
"Sir,"answeredDonQuixote,"thatcannotbeonanyaccountomitted,andthe
knighterrantwouldbedisgracedwhoactedotherwise:foritisusualandcustomary
inknighterrantrythattheknighterrant,whoonengaginginanygreatfeatofarms
hashisladybeforehim,shouldturnhiseyestowardshersoftlyandlovingly,as
thoughwiththementreatinghertofavorandprotecthiminthehazardousventure
heisabouttoundertake,andeventhoughnoonehearhim,heisboundtosay
certainwordsbetweenhisteeth,commendinghimselftoherwithallhisheart,and
ofthiswehaveinnumerableinstancesinthehistories.Norisittobesupposedfrom
thisthattheyaretoomitcommendingthemselvestoGod,fortherewillbetimeand
opportunityfordoingsowhiletheyareengagedintheirtask."
"Forallthat,"answeredthetraveler,"Ifeelsomedoubtstill,becauseoftenIhave
readhowwordswillarisebetweentwoknightserrant,andfromonethingto
anotheritcomesaboutthattheirangerkindlesandtheywheeltheirhorsesround
andtakeagoodstretchoffield,andthenwithoutanymoreadoatthetopoftheir
speedtheycometothecharge,andinmidcareertheyarewonttocommend
themselvestotheirladies;andwhatcommonlycomesoftheencounteristhatone
fallsoverthehaunchesofhishorsepiercedthroughandthroughbyhisantagonist's
lance,andasfortheother,itisonlybyholdingontothemaneofhishorsethathe
canhelpfallingtotheground;butIknownothowthedeadmanhadtimeto
commendhimselftoGodinthecourseofsuchrapidworkasthis;itwouldhave
beenbetterifthosewordswhichhespentincommendinghimselftohisladyinthe
midstofhiscareerhadbeendevotedtohisdutyandobligationasaChristian.
Moreover,itismybeliefthatallknightserranthavenotladiestocommend
themselvesto,fortheyarenotallinlove."
"Thatisimpossible,"saidDonQuixote:"Isayitisimpossiblethattherecouldbea
knighterrantwithoutalady,becausetosuchitisasnaturalandpropertobeinlove
astotheheavenstohavestars:mostcertainlynohistoryhasbeenseeninwhich
thereistobefoundaknighterrantwithoutanamour,andforthesimplereason
thatwithoutonehewouldbeheldnolegitimateknightbutabastard,andonewho
80
hadgainedentranceintothestrongholdofthesaidknighthood,notbythedoor,but
overthewalllikeathiefandarobber."
"Nevertheless,"saidthetraveler,"ifIrememberrightly,IthinkIhavereadthatDon
Galaor,thebrotherofthevaliantAmadisofGaul,neverhadanyspecialladyto
whomhemightcommendhimself,andyethewasnotthelessesteemed,andwasa
verystoutandfamousknight."
TowhichourDonQuixotemadeanswer,"Sir,onesolitaryswallowdoesnotmake
summer;moreover,Iknowthatknightwasinsecretverydeeplyinlove;besides
which,thatwayoffallinginlovewithallthattookhisfancywasanatural
propensitywhichhecouldnotcontrol.But,inshort,itisverymanifestthathehad
onealonewhomhemademistressofhiswill,towhomhecommendedhimselfvery
frequentlyandverysecretly,forhepridedhimselfonbeingareticentknight."
"Thenifitbeessentialthateveryknighterrantshouldbeinlove,"saidthetraveler,
"itmaybefairlysupposedthatyourworshipisso,asyouareoftheorder;andifyou
donotprideyourselfonbeingasreticentasDonGalaor,Ientreatyouasearnestly
asIcan,inthenameofallthiscompanyandinmyown,toinformusofthename,
country,rank,andbeautyofyourlady,forshewillesteemherselffortunateifallthe
worldknowsthatsheislovedandservedbysuchaknightasyourworshipseemsto
be."
AtthisDonQuixoteheavedadeepsighandsaid,"Icannotsaypositivelywhether
mysweetenemyispleasedornotthattheworldshouldknowIserveher;Icanonly
sayinanswertowhathasbeensocourteouslyaskedofme,thathernameis
Dulcinea,hercountryElToboso,avillageofLaMancha,herrankmustbeatleast
thatofaprincess,sincesheismyqueenandlady,andherbeautysuperhuman,since
alltheimpossibleandfancifulattributesofbeautywhichthepoetsapplytotheir
ladiesareverifiedinher;forherhairsaregold,herforeheadElysianfields,her
eyebrowsrainbows,hereyessuns,hercheeksroses,herlipscoral,herteethpearls,
81
herneckalabaster,herbosommarble,herhandsivory,herfairnesssnow,andwhat
modestyconcealsfromsightsuch,Ithinkandimagine,asrationalreflectioncan
onlyextol,notcompare."
"Weshouldliketoknowherlineage,race,andancestry,"saidVivaldo.
TowhichDonQuixotereplied,"SheisnotoftheancientRomanCurtii,Caii,or
Scipios,norofthemodernColonnasorOrsini,noroftheMoncadasorRequesenesof
Catalonia,noryetoftheRebellasorVillanovasofValencia;Palafoxes,Nuzas,
Rocabertis,Corellas,Lunas,Alagones,Urreas,Foces,orGurreasofAragon;Cerdas,
Manriques,Mendozas,orGuzmansofCastile;Alencastros,Pallas,orMenesesof
Portugal;butsheisofthoseofElTobosoofLaMancha,alineagethatthough
modern,mayfurnishasourceofgentlebloodforthemostillustriousfamiliesofthe
agesthataretocome,andthisletnonedisputewithmesaveontheconditionthat
ZerbinoplacedatthefootofthetrophyofOrlando'sarms,saying,
'Theseletnonemove
WhodarethnothismightwithRolandprove.'"46
"AlthoughmineisoftheCachopinsofLaredo,"saidthetraveler,"Iwillnotventure
tocompareitwiththatofElTobosoofLaMancha,though,totellthetruth,nosuch
surnamehasuntilnoweverreachedmyears."
"What!"saidDonQuixote,"hasthatneverreachedthem?"
Therestofthepartywentalonglisteningwithgreatattentiontotheconversationof
thepair,andeventheverygoatherdsandshepherdsperceivedhowexceedinglyout
ofhiswitsourDonQuixotewas.SanchoPanzaalonethoughtthatwhathismaster
saidwasthetruth,knowingwhohewasandhavingknownhimfromhisbirth;and
46FromLodovicoAriostosOrlandoFurioso.
82
allthathefeltanydifficultyinbelievingwasthataboutthefairDulcineadelToboso,
becauseneitheranysuchnamenoranysuchprincesshadevercometohis
knowledgethoughhelivedsoclosetoElToboso.Theyweregoingalongconversing
inthisway,whentheysawdescendingagapbetweentwohighmountainssome
twentyshepherds,allcladinsheepskinsofblackwool,andcrownedwithgarlands
which,asafterwardsappeared,were,someofthemofyew,someofcypress.Sixof
thenumberwerecarryingabiercoveredwithagreatvarietyofflowersand
branches,onseeingwhichoneofthegoatherdssaid,"Thosewhocometherearethe
bearersofChrysostomo'sbody,andthefootofthatmountainistheplacewherehe
orderedthemtoburyhim."Theythereforemadehastetoreachthespot,anddidso
bythetimethosewhocamehadlaidthebierupontheground,andfourofthem
withsharppickaxeswerediggingagravebythesideofahardrock.Theygreeted
eachothercourteously,andthenDonQuixoteandthosewhoaccompaniedhim
turnedtoexaminethebier,andonit,coveredwithflowers,theysawadeadbodyin
thedressofashepherd,toallappearanceofonethirtyyearsofage,andshowing
evenindeaththatinlifehehadbeenofcomelyfeaturesandgallantbearing.Around
himonthebieritselfwerelaidsomebooks,andseveralpapersopenandfolded;and
thosewhowerelookingonaswellasthosewhowereopeningthegraveandallthe
otherswhoweretherepreservedastrangesilence,untiloneofthosewhohad
bornethebodysaidtoanother,"Observecarefully,Ambrosioifthisistheplace
Chrysostomospokeof,sinceyouareanxiousthatwhathedirectedinhiswillshould
besostrictlycompliedwith."
"Thisistheplace,"answeredAmbrosio"forinitmanyatimedidmypoorfriendtell
methestoryofhishardfortune.Hereitwas,hetoldme,thathesawforthefirst
timethatmortalenemyofthehumanrace,andhere,too,forthefirsttimehe
declaredtoherhispassion,ashonorableasitwasdevoted,andhereitwasthatat
lastMarcelaendedbyscorningandrejectinghimsoastobringthetragedyofhis
wretchedlifetoaclose;here,inmemoryofmisfortunessogreat,hedesiredtobe
laidinthebowelsofeternaloblivion."ThenturningtoDonQuixoteandthe
travelershewentontosay,"Thatbody,sirs,onwhichyouarelookingwith
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compassionateeyes,wastheabodeofasoulonwhichHeavenbestowedavast
shareofitsriches.ThatisthebodyofChrysostomo,whowasunrivaledinwit,
unequaledincourtesy,supremeingentlenessofbearing,amodeloffriendship,
generouswithoutlimit,gravewithoutarrogance,gaywithoutvulgarity,and,in
short,firstinallthatconstitutesgoodnessandsecondtononeinallthatmakesup
misfortune.Heloveddeeply,hewashated;headored,hewasscorned;hewooeda
wildbeast,hepleadedwithmarble,hepursuedthewind,hecriedtothewilderness,
heservedingratitude,andforrewardwasmadethepreyofdeathinthemidcourse
ofhislife,cutshortbyashepherdesswhomhesoughttoimmortalizeinthememory
ofman,asthesepaperswhichyouseecouldfullyprove,hadhenotcommandedme
toconsignthemtothefireafterhavingconsignedhisbodytotheearth."
"Youwoulddealwiththemmoreharshlyandcruellythantheirownerhimself,"said
Vivaldo,"foritisneitherrightnorpropertodothewillofonewhoenjoinswhatis
whollyunreasonable;itwouldnothavebeenreasonableinAugustusCaesarhadhe
permittedthedirectionsleftbythedivineMantuaninhiswilltobecarriedinto
effect.Sothat,SeorAmbrosiowhileyouconsignyourfriend'sbodytotheearth,
youshouldnotconsignhiswritingstooblivion,forifhegavetheorderinbitterness
ofheart,itisnotrightthatyoushouldirrationallyobeyit.Onthecontrary,by
grantinglifetothosepapers,letthecrueltyofMarcelaliveforever,toserveasa
warninginagestocometoallmentoshunandavoidfallingintolikedanger;orI
andallofuswhohavecomehereknowalreadythestoryofthisyourlovestricken
andheartbrokenfriend,andweknow,too,yourfriendship,andthecauseofhis
death,andthedirectionshegaveatthecloseofhislife;fromwhichsadstorymaybe
gatheredhowgreatwasthecrueltyofMarcela,theloveofChrysostomo,andthe
loyaltyofyourfriendship,togetherwiththeendawaitingthosewhopursuerashly
thepaththatinsanepassionopenstotheireyes.Lastnightwelearnedthedeathof
Chrysostomoandthathewastobeburiedhere,andoutofcuriosityandpityweleft
ourdirectroadandresolvedtocomeandseewithoureyesthatwhichwhenheard
ofhadsomovedourcompassion,andinconsiderationofthatcompassionandour
desiretoproveitifwemightbycondolence,webegofyou,excellentAmbrosio,or
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atleastIonmyownaccountentreatyou,thatinsteadofburningthosepapersyou
allowmetocarryawaysomeofthem."
Andwithoutwaitingfortheshepherd'sanswer,hestretchedouthishandandtook
upsomeofthosethatwerenearesttohim;seeingwhichAmbrosiosaid,"Outof
courtesy,seor,Iwillgrantyourrequestastothoseyouhavetaken,butitisidleto
expectmetoabstainfromburningtheremainder."
Vivaldo,whowaseagertoseewhatthepaperscontained,openedoneofthemat
once,andsawthatitstitlewas"LayofDespair."
Ambrosiohearingitsaid,"Thatisthelastpapertheunhappymanwrote;andthat
youmaysee,seor,towhatanendhismisfortunesbroughthim,readitsothatyou
maybeheard,foryouwillhavetimeenoughforthatwhilewearewaitingforthe
gravetobedug."
"Iwilldosoverywillingly,"saidVivaldo;andasallthebystanderswereequally
eagertheygatheredroundhim,andhe,readinginaloudvoice,foundthatitranas
follows.
CHAPTERXIV.
WHEREINAREINSERTEDTHEDESPAIRINGVERSESOFTHEDEADSHEPHERD,
TOGETHERWITHOTHERINCIDENTSNOTLOOKEDFOR
THELAYOFCHRYSOSTOMO
Sincethoudostinthycrueltydesire
Theruthlessrigorofthytyranny
Fromtonguetotongue,fromlandtolandproclaimed,
TheveryHellwillIconstraintolend
Thisstrickenbreastofminedeepnotesofwoe
Toservemyneedoffittingutterance.
AndasIstrivetobodyforththetale
OfallIsuffer,allthatthouhastdone,
Forthshallthedreadvoiceroll,andbearalong
Shredsfrommyvitalstornforgreaterpain.
Thenlisten,nottodulcetharmony,
Buttoadiscordwrungbymaddespair
Outofthisbosom'sdepthsofbitterness,
Toeasemyheartandplantastinginthine.
Thelion'sroar,thefiercewolf'ssavagehowl,
Thehorridhissingofthescalysnake,
Theawesomecriesofmonstersyetunnamed,
Thecrow'sillbodingcroak,thehollowmoan
Ofwildwindswrestlingwiththerestlesssea,
Thewrathfulbellowofthevanquishedbull,
Theplaintivesobbingofthewidoweddove,
Theenviedowl'ssadnote,thewailofwoe
ThatrisesfromthedrearychoirofHell,
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86
Commingledinonesound,confusingsense,
Letallthesecometoaidmysoul'scomplaint,
Forpainlikeminedemandsnewmodesofsong.
Noechoesofthatdiscordshallbeheard
WhereFatherTagusrolls,oronthebanks
OfoliveborderedBetis;totherocks
Orindeepcavernsshallmyplaintbetold,
Andbyalifelesstongueinlivingwords;
Orindarkvalleysoronlonelyshores,
Whereneitherfootofmannorsunbeamfalls;
Orinamongthepoisonbreathingswarms
OfmonstersnourishedbythesluggishNile.
For,thoughitbetosolitudesremote
Thehoarsevagueechoesofmysorrowssound
Thymatchlesscruelty,mydismalfate
Shallcarrythemtoallthespaciousworld.
Disdainhathpowertokill,andpatiencedies
Slainbysuspicion,beitfalseortrue;
Anddeadlyistheforceofjealousy;
Longabsencemakesoflifeadrearyvoid;
Nohopeofhappinesscangiverepose
Tohimthateverfearstobeforgot;
Anddeath,inevitable,waitsinhall.
ButI,bysomestrangemiracle,liveon
Apreytoabsence,jealousy,disdain;
Rackedbysuspicionasbycertainty;
Forgotten,lefttofeedmyflamealone.
AndwhileIsufferthus,therecomesnoray
Ofhopetogladdenmeathwartthegloom;
NordoIlookforitinmydespair;
Butratherclingingtoacurelesswoe,
AllhopedoIabjureforevermore.
Cantherebehopewherefearis?Wereitwell,
Whenfarmorecertainarethegroundsoffear?
OughtItoshutmineeyestojealousy,
Ifthroughathousandheartwoundsitappears?
Whowouldnotgivefreeaccesstodistrust,
Seeingdisdainunveiled,andbitterchange!
Allhissuspicionsturnedtocertainties,
Andthefairtruthtransformedintoalie?
Oh,thoufiercetyrantoftherealmsoflove,
Oh,Jealousy!putchainsuponthesehands,
Andbindmewiththystrongestcord,Disdain.
But,woeisme!triumphantoverall,
Mysufferingsdrownthememoryofyou.
AndnowIdie,andsincethereisnohope
Ofhappinessformeinlifeordeath,
StilltomyfantasyI'llfondlycling.
I'llsaythatheiswisewholovethwell,
Andthatthesoulmostfreeisthatmostbound
InthralldomtotheancienttyrantLove.
I'llsaythatshewhoismineenemy
Inthatfairbodyhathasfairamind,
Andthathercoldnessisbutmydesert,
Andthatbyvirtueofthepainhesends
Loveruleshiskingdomwithagentlesway.
Thus,selfdeluding,andinbondagesore,
Andwearingoutthewretchedshredoflife
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88
TowhichIamreducedbyherdisdain,
I'llgivethissoulandbodytothewinds,
Allhopelessofacrownofblissinstore.
Thouwhoseinjusticehathsuppliedthecause
ThatmakesmequitthewearylifeIloathe,
Asbythiswoundedbosomthoucanstsee
HowwillinglythyvictimIbecome,
Letnotmydeath,ifhaplyworthatear,
Cloudtheclearheaventhatdwellsinthybrighteyes;
Iwouldnothavetheeexpiateinaught
Thecrimeofhavingmademyheartthyprey;
Butratherletthylaughtergailyring
Andprovemydeathtobethyfestival.
FoolthatIamtobidthee!wellIknow
Thyglorygainsbymyuntimelyend.
Andnowitisthetime;fromHell'sabyss
ComethirstingTantalus,comeSisyphus
Heavingthecruelstone,comeTityus
Withvulture,andwithwheelIxioncome,
Andcomethesistersoftheceaselesstoil;
Andallintothisbreasttransfertheirpains,
And(ifsuchtributetodespairbedue)
Chantintheirdeepesttonesadolefuldirge
Overacorpseunworthyofashroud.
Letthethreeheadedguardianofthegate,
Andallthemonstrousprogenyofhell,
Thedolefulconcertjoin:aloverdead
Methinkscanhavenofitterobsequies.
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Layofdespair,grievenotwhenthouartgone
Forthfromthissorrowingheart:mymisery
Bringsfortunetothecausethatgavetheebirth;
Thenbanishsadnesseveninthetomb.
The"LayofChrysostomo"metwiththeapprobation47ofthelisteners,thoughthe
readersaiditdidnotseemtohimtoagreewithwhathehadheardofMarcela's
reserveandpropriety,forChrysostomocomplainedinitofjealousy,suspicion,and
absence,alltotheprejudiceofthegoodnameandfameofMarcela;towhich
Ambrosiorepliedasonewhoknewwellhisfriend'smostsecretthoughts,"Seor,to
removethatdoubtIshouldtellyouthatwhentheunhappymanwrotethislayhe
wasawayfromMarcela,fromwhomhehadvoluntarilyseparatedhimself,toseeif
absencewouldactwithhimasitiswont;andaseverythingdistressesandevery
fearhauntsthebanishedlover,soimaginaryjealousiesandsuspicions,dreadedasif
theyweretrue,tormentedChrysostomo;andthusthetruthofwhatreportdeclares
ofthevirtueofMarcelaremainsunshaken,andwithherenvyitselfshouldnotand
cannotfindanyfaultsavethatofbeingcruel,somewhathaughty,andveryscornful."
"Thatistrue,"saidVivaldo;andashewasabouttoreadanotherpaperofthosehe
hadpreservedfromthefire,hewasstoppedbyamarvelousvision(forsuchit
seemed)thatunexpectedlypresenteditselftotheireyes;foronthesummitofthe
rockwheretheywerediggingthegravethereappearedtheshepherdessMarcela,so
beautifulthatherbeautyexceededitsreputation.Thosewhohadnevertillthen
beheldhergazeduponherinwonderandsilence,andthosewhowereaccustomed
toseeherwerenotlessamazedthanthosewhohadneverseenherbefore.Butthe
instantAmbrosiosawherheaddressedher,withmanifestindignation:
47Officialapproval
90
"Artthoucome,bychance,cruelbasilisk48ofthesemountains,toseeifinthy
presencebloodwillflowfromthewoundsofthiswretchedbeingthycrueltyhas
robbedoflife49;orisittoexultoverthecruelworkofthyhumorsthatthouart
come;orlikeanotherpitilessNerotolookdownfromthatheightupontheruinof
hisRomeinembers50;orinthyarrogancetotrampleonthisillfatedcorpse,asthe
ungratefuldaughtertrampledonherfatherTarquinius?51Tellusquicklyforwhat
thouartcome,orwhatitisthouwouldsthave,for,asIknowthethoughtsof
Chrysostomoneverfailedtoobeytheeinlife,Iwillmakeallthesewhocall
themselveshisfriendsobeythee,thoughhebedead."
"Icomenot,Ambrosio,foranyofthepurposesthouhastnamed,"repliedMarcela,
"buttodefendmyselfandtoprovehowunreasonableareallthosewhoblameme
fortheirsorrowandforChrysostomo'sdeath;andthereforeIaskallofyouthatare
heretogivemeyourattention,forwillnottakemuchtimeormanywordstobring
thetruthhometopersonsofsense.Heavenhasmademe,soyousay,beautiful,and
somuchsothatinspiteofyourselvesmybeautyleadsyoutoloveme;andforthe
loveyoushowmeyousay,andevenurge,thatIamboundtoloveyou.Bythat
naturalunderstandingwhichGodhasgivenmeIknowthateverythingbeautiful
attractslove,butIcannotseehow,byreasonofbeingloved,thatwhichislovedfor
itsbeautyisboundtolovethatwhichlovesit;besides,itmayhappenthatthelover
ofthatwhichisbeautifulmaybeugly,anduglinessbeingdetestable,itisvery
absurdtosay,"Ilovetheebecausethouartbeautiful,thoumustlovemethoughIbe
ugly."Butsupposingthebeautyequalonbothsides,itdoesnotfollowthatthe
inclinationsmustbethereforealike,foritisnoteverybeautythatexciteslove,some
butpleasingtheeyewithoutwinningtheaffection;andifeverysortofbeauty
48Amythicallizardlikecreaturewhoselookscouldkill.
49Accordingtofolklore,thecorpseofamurdervictimwouldbleedinthepresence
ofthemurderer.
50TheRomanemperorNerowassaidtohavewatchedwhilehiscityburnedas
partofhisownplanforurbanrenewal.
51Tula,thewifeofthelastoftheearlykingsofRome;Tarquiniuswasherhusband,
notherfather,butshedidlethercarriagerunoverthebodyofherfather,Servius
Tullius,whomherhusbandhadkilled.
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excitedloveandwontheheart,thewillwouldwandervaguelytoandfrounableto
makechoiceofany;forasthereisaninfinityofbeautifulobjectstheremustbean
infinityofinclinations,andtruelove,Ihavehearditsaid,isindivisible,andmustbe
voluntaryandnotcompelled.Ifthisbeso,asIbelieveittobe,whydoyoudesireme
tobendmywillbyforce,fornootherreasonbutthatyousayyouloveme?Nay
tellmehadHeavenmademeugly,asithasmademebeautiful,couldIwith
justicecomplainofyoufornotlovingme?Moreover,youmustrememberthatthe
beautyIpossesswasnochoiceofmine,for,beitwhatitmay,Heavenofitsbounty
gaveitmewithoutmyaskingorchoosingit;andastheviper,thoughitkillswithit,
doesnotdeservetobeblamedforthepoisonitcarries,asitisagiftofnature,
neitherdoIdeservereproachforbeingbeautiful;forbeautyinamodestwomanis
likefireatadistanceorasharpsword;theonedoesnotburn,theotherdoesnot
cut,thosewhodonotcometoonear.Honorandvirtuearetheornamentsofthe
mind,withoutwhichthebody,thoughitbeso,hasnorighttopassforbeautiful;but
ifmodestyisoneofthevirtuesthatspeciallylendagraceandcharmtomindand
body,whyshouldshewhoislovedforherbeautypartwithittogratifyonewhofor
hispleasurealonestriveswithallhismightandenergytorobherofit?Iwasborn
free,andthatImightliveinfreedomIchosethesolitudeofthefields;inthetreesof
themountainsIfindsociety,theclearwatersofthebrooksaremymirrors,andto
thetreesandwatersImakeknownmythoughtsandcharms.Iamafireafaroff,a
swordlaidaside.ThosewhomIhaveinspiredwithlovebylettingthemseeme,I
havebywordsundeceived,andiftheirlongingsliveonhopeandIhavegiven
nonetoChrysostomoortoanyotheritcannotjustlybesaidthatthedeathofany
ismydoing,foritwasratherhisownobstinacythanmycrueltythatkilledhim;and
ifitbemadeachargeagainstmethathiswisheswerehonorable,andthattherefore
Iwasboundtoyieldtothem,Ianswerthatwhenonthisveryspotwherenowhis
graveismadehedeclaredtomehispurityofpurpose,Itoldhimthatminewasto
liveinperpetualsolitude,andthattheearthaloneshouldenjoythefruitsofmy
retirementandthespoilsofmybeauty;andif,afterthisopenavowal,hechoseto
persistagainsthopeandsteeragainstthewind,whatwonderisitthatheshould
sinkinthedepthsofhisinfatuation?IfIhadencouragedhim,Ishouldbefalse;ifI
92
hadgratifiedhim,Ishouldhaveactedagainstmyownbetterresolutionand
purpose.Hewaspersistentinspiteofwarning,hedespairedwithoutbeinghated.
Bethinkyounowifitbereasonablethathissufferingshouldbelaidtomycharge.
Lethimwhohasbeendeceivedcomplain,lethimgivewaytodespairwhose
encouragedhopeshaveprovedvain,lethimflatterhimselfwhomIshallentice,let
himboastwhomIshallreceive;butletnothimcallmecruelorhomicidetowhomI
makenopromise,uponwhomIpracticenodeception,whomIneitherenticenor
receive.IthasnotbeensofarthewillofHeaventhatIshouldlovebyfate,andto
expectmetolovebychoiceisidle.Letthisgeneraldeclarationserveforeachofmy
suitorsonhisownaccount,andletitbeunderstoodfromthistimeforththatif
anyonediesformeitisnotofjealousyormiseryhedies,forshewholovesnoone
cangivenocauseforjealousytoany,andcandorisnottobeconfoundedwithscorn.
Lethimwhocallsmewildbeastandbasilisk,leavemealoneassomethingnoxious
andevil;lethimwhocallsmeungrateful,withholdhisservice;whocallsme
wayward,seeknotmyacquaintance;whocallsmecruel,pursuemenot;forthis
wildbeast,thisbasilisk,thisungrateful,cruel,waywardbeinghasnokindofdesire
toseek,serve,know,orfollowthem.IfChrysostomo'simpatienceandviolent
passionkilledhim,whyshouldmymodestbehaviorandcircumspectionbeblamed?
IfIpreservemypurityinthesocietyofthetrees,whyshouldhewhowouldhaveme
preserveitamongmen,seektorobmeofit?Ihave,asyouknow,wealthofmyown,
andIcovetnotthatofothers;mytasteisforfreedom,andIhavenorelishfor
constraint;Ineitherlovenorhateanyone;Idonotdeceivethisoneorcourtthat,or
triflewithoneorplaywithanother.Themodestconverseoftheshepherdgirlsof
thesehamletsandthecareofmygoatsaremyrecreations;mydesiresarebounded
bythesemountains,andiftheyeverwanderhenceitistocontemplatethebeautyof
theheavens,stepsbywhichthesoultravelstoitsprimevalabode."
Withthesewords,andnotwaitingtohearareply,sheturnedandpassedintothe
thickestpartofawoodthatwashardby,leavingallwhoweretherelostin
admirationasmuchofhergoodsenseasofherbeauty.Somethosewoundedby
theirresistibleshaftslaunchedbyherbrighteyesmadeasthoughtheywould
93
followher,heedlessofthefrankdeclarationtheyhadheard;seeingwhich,and
deemingthisafittingoccasionfortheexerciseofhischivalryinaidofdistressed
damsels,DonQuixote,layinghishandonthehiltofhissword,exclaimedinaloud
anddistinctvoice:
"Letnoone,whateverhisrankorcondition,daretofollowthebeautifulMarcela,
underpainofincurringmyfierceindignation.Shehasshownbyclearand
satisfactoryargumentsthatlittleornofaultistobefoundwithherforthedeathof
Chrysostomo,andalsohowfarsheisfromyieldingtothewishesofanyofher
lovers,forwhichreason,insteadofbeingfollowedandpersecuted,sheshouldin
justicebehonoredandesteemedbyallthegoodpeopleoftheworld,forsheshows
thatsheistheonlywomaninitthatholdstosuchavirtuousresolution."
WhetheritwasbecauseofthethreatsofDonQuixote,orbecauseAmbrosiotold
themtofulfilltheirdutytotheirgoodfriend,noneoftheshepherdsmovedor
stirredfromthespotuntil,havingfinishedthegraveandburnedChrysostomo's
papers,theylaidhisbodyinit,notwithoutmanytearsfromthosewhostoodby.
TheyclosedthegravewithaheavystoneuntilaslabwasreadywhichAmbrosio
saidhemeanttohaveprepared,withanepitaphwhichwastobetothiseffect:
Beneaththestonebeforeyoureyes
Thebodyofaloverlies;
Inlifehewasashepherdswain,
Indeathavictimtodisdain.
Ungrateful,cruel,coy,andfair,
Wasshethatdrovehimtodespair,
AndLovehathmadeherhisally
Forspreadingwidehistyranny.
Theythenstreweduponthegraveaprofusionofflowersandbranches,andall
expressingtheircondolencewithhisfriendAmbrosio;Vivaldoandhiscompanion
94
didthesame;andDonQuixotebadefarewelltohishostsandtothetravelers,who
pressedhimtocomewiththemtoSeville,asbeingsuchaconvenientplacefor
findingadventures,fortheypresentedthemselvesineverystreetandroundevery
corneroftenerthananywhereelse.DonQuixotethankedthemfortheiradviceand
forthedispositiontheyshowedtodohimafavor,andsaidthatforthepresenthe
wouldnot,andmustnotgotoSevilleuntilhehadclearedallthesemountainsof
highwaymenandrobbers,ofwhomreportsaidtheywerefull.Seeinghisgood
intention,thetravelerswereunwillingtopresshimfurther,andoncemorebidding
himfarewell,theylefthimandpursuedtheirjourney,inthecourseofwhichthey
didnotfailtodiscussthestoryofMarcelaandChrysostomoaswellasthemadness
ofDonQuixote.He,onhispart,resolvedtogoinquestoftheshepherdessMarcela,
andmakeoffertoherofalltheservicehecouldrenderher;butthingsdidnotfall
outwithhimasheexpected,accordingtowhatisrelatedinthecourseofthis
veracioushistory....
95
CHAPTERXVIII
INWHICHISRELATEDTHEDISCOURSESANCHOPANZAHELDWITHHISMASTER,
DONQUIXOTE,ANDOTHERADVENTURESWORTHRELATING
...DonQuixoteandhissquireweregoingalong,when,ontheroadtheywere
following,DonQuixoteperceivedapproachingthemalargeandthickcloudofdust,
onseeingwhichheturnedtoSanchoandsaid:
"Thisistheday,Sancho,onwhichwillbeseentheboonmyfortuneisreservingfor
me;this,Isay,isthedayonwhichasmuchasonanyothershallbedisplayedthe
mightofmyarm,andonwhichIshalldodeedsthatshallremainwritteninthebook
offameforallagestocome.Seestthouthatcloudofdustwhichrisesyonder?Well,
then,allthatischurnedupbyavastarmycomposedofvariousandcountless
nationsthatcomesmarchingthere."
"Accordingtothattheremustbetwo,"saidSancho,"foronthisoppositesidealso
thererisesjustsuchanothercloudofdust."
DonQuixoteturnedtolookandfoundthatitwastrue,andrejoicingexceedingly,he
concludedthattheyweretwoarmiesabouttoengageandencounterinthemidstof
thatbroadplain;foratalltimesandseasonshisfancywasfullofthebattles,
enchantments,adventures,crazyfeats,loves,anddefiancesthatarerecordedinthe
booksofchivalry,andeverythinghesaid,thought,ordidhadreferencetosuch
things.Nowthecloudofdusthehadseenwasraisedbytwogreatdrovesofsheep
comingalongthesameroadinoppositedirections,which,becauseofthedust,did
notbecomevisibleuntiltheydrewnear,butDonQuixoteassertedsopositivelythat
theywerearmiesthatSanchowasledtobelieveitandsay,"Well,andwhatarewe
todo,seor?"
96
"What?"saidDonQuixote:"giveaidandassistancetotheweakandthose
whoneedit;andthoumustknow,Sancho,thatthiswhichcomesopposite
tousisconductedandledbythemightyemperorAlifanfaron,lordofthe
greatisleofTrapobana;thisotherthatmarchesbehindmeisthatofhis
enemythekingoftheGaramantas,PentapolinoftheBareArm,forhe
alwaysgoesintobattlewithhisrightarmbare."
"Butwhyarethesetwolordssuchenemies?"
"Theyareatenmity,"repliedDonQuixote,"becausethisAlifanfaronisafurious
paganandisinlovewiththedaughterofPentapolin,whoisaverybeautifuland
moreovergraciouslady,andaChristian,andherfatherisunwillingtobestowher
uponthepagankingunlesshefirstabandonsthereligionofhisfalseprophet
Mahomet,andadoptshisown."
"Bymybeard,"saidSancho,"butPentapolindoesquiteright,andIwillhelphimas
muchasIcan."
"Inthatthouwiltdowhatisthyduty,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote;"fortoengagein
battlesofthissortitisnotrequisitetobeadubbedknight."
"ThatIcanwellunderstand,"answeredSancho;"butwhereshallweputthisass
wherewemaybesuretofindhimafterthefrayisover?forIbelieveithasnotbeen
thecustomsofartogointobattleonabeastofthiskind."
"Thatistrue,"saidDonQuixote,"andwhatyouhadbestdowithhimistoleavehim
totakehischancewhetherhebelostornot,forthehorsesweshallhavewhenwe
comeoutvictorswillbesomanythatevenRocinantewillrunariskofbeing
changedforanother.Butattendtomeandobserve,forIwishtogivetheesome
accountofthechiefknightswhoaccompanythesetwoarmies;andthatthoumayest
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thebetterseeandmark,letuswithdrawtothathillockwhichrisesyonder,whence
botharmiesmaybeseen."
Theydidso,andplacedthemselvesonarisinggroundfromwhichthetwodroves
thatDonQuixotemadearmiesofmighthavebeenplainlyseenifthecloudsofdust
theyraisedhadnotobscuredthemandblindedthesight;nevertheless,seeinginhis
imaginationwhathedidnotseeandwhatdidnotexist,hebeganthusinaloud
voice:
"Thatknightwhomthouseestyonderinyellowarmor,whobearsuponhisshielda
lioncrownedcrouchingatthefeetofadamsel,isthevaliantLaurcalco,lordofthe
SilverBridge;thatoneinarmorwithflowersofgold,whobearsonhisshieldthree
crownsargentonanazurefield,isthedreadedMicocolembo,granddukeof
Quirocia;thatotherofgiganticframe,onhisrighthand,istheeverdauntless
BrandabarbarandeBoliche,lordofthethreeArabias,whoforarmorwearsthat
serpentskin,andhasforshieldagatewhich,accordingtotradition,isoneofthose
ofthetemplethatSansonbroughttothegroundwhenbyhisdeathherevenged
himselfuponhisenemies.Butturnthineeyestotheotherside,andthoushaltseein
frontandinthevanofthisotherarmytheevervictoriousandnevervanquished
TimonelofCarcajona,princeofNewBiscay,whocomesinarmorwitharms
quarteredazure,vert,white,andyellow,andbearsonhisshieldacatoronafield
tawnywithamottowhichsaysMiau,whichisthebeginningofthenameofhislady,
whoaccordingtoreportisthepeerlessMiaulina,daughterofthedukeAlfeniquenof
theAlgarve;theother,whoburdensandpressestheloinsofthatpowerfulcharger
andbearsarmswhiteassnowandashieldblankandwithoutanydevice,isanovice
knight,aFrenchmanbybirth,PierresPapinbyname,lordofthebaroniesofUtrique;
thatother,whowithironshodheelsstrikestheflanksofthatnimbleparticoloured
zebra,andforarmsbearsazurevair,isthemightydukeofNerbia,Espartafilardodel
Bosque,whobearsfordeviceonhisshieldanasparagusplantwithamottoin
98
Castilianthatsays,Rastreamisuerte.52"Andsohewentonnaminganumberof
knightsofonesquadronortheotheroutofhisimagination,andtoallheassigned
offhandtheirarms,colors,devices,andmottoes,carriedawaybytheillusionsofhis
unheardofcraze;andwithoutapause,hecontinued,"Peopleofdiversnations
composethissquadroninfront;herearethosethatdrinkofthesweetwatersofthe
famousXanthus,thosethatscourthewoodyMassilianplains,thosethatsiftthepure
finegoldofArabiaFelix,thosethatenjoythefamedcoolbanksofthecrystal
Thermodon,thosethatinmanyandvariouswaysdivertthestreamsofthegolden
Pactolus,theNumidians,faithlessintheirpromises,thePersiansrenownedin
archery,theParthiansandtheMedesthatfightastheyfly,theArabsthatevershift
theirdwellings,theScythiansascruelastheyarefair,theEthiopianswithpierced
lips,andaninfinityofothernationswhosefeaturesIrecognizeanddescry,thoughI
cannotrecalltheirnames.Inthisothersquadrontherecomethosethatdrinkofthe
crystalstreamsoftheolivebearingBetis,thosethatmakesmooththeir
countenanceswiththewateroftheeverrichandgoldenTagus,thosethatrejoicein
thefertilizingflowofthedivineGenil,thosethatroamtheTartesianplains
aboundinginpasture,thosethattaketheirpleasureintheElysianmeadowsofJerez,
therichMancheganscrownedwithruddyearsofcorn,thewearersofiron,oldrelics
oftheGothicrace,thosethatbatheinthePisuergarenownedforitsgentlecurrent,
thosethatfeedtheirherdsalongthespreadingpasturesofthewindingGuadiana
famedforitshiddencourse,thosethattremblewiththecoldofthepineclad
PyreneesorthedazzlingsnowsoftheloftyApennine;inaword,asmanyasall
Europeincludesandcontains."
GoodGod!whatanumberofcountriesandnationshenamed!givingtoeachits
properattributeswithmarvelousreadiness;brimfulandsaturatedwithwhathe
hadreadinhislyingbooks!SanchoPanzahunguponhiswordswithoutspeaking,
andfromtimetotimeturnedtotryifhecouldseetheknightsandgiantshismaster
wasdescribing,andashecouldnotmakeoutoneofthemhesaidtohim:
52Themeaningisambiguous.Itcouldmean,lookintomyfate,myfatecreeps
along,or,follow[thetrailof]myfate.
99
"Seor,deviltakeitifthere'sasignofanymanyoutalkof,knightorgiant,inthe
wholething;maybeit'sallenchantment,likethephantomslastnight."
"Howcanstthousaythat!"answeredDonQuixote;"dostthounotheartheneighing
ofthesteeds,thebrayingofthetrumpets,therollofthedrums?"
"Ihearnothingbutagreatbleatingofewesandsheep,"saidSancho;whichwastrue,
forbythistimethetwoflockshadcomeclose.
"Thefearthouartin,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"preventstheefromseeingor
hearingcorrectly,foroneoftheeffectsoffearistoderangethesensesandmake
thingsappeardifferentfromwhattheyare;ifthouartinsuchfear,withdrawtoone
sideandleavemetomyself,foraloneIsufficetobringvictorytothatsidetowhichI
shallgivemyaid;"andsosayinghegaveRocinantethespur,andputtingthelancein
rest,shotdowntheslopelikeathunderbolt.Sanchoshoutedafterhim,crying,
"Comeback,SeorDonQuixote;IvowtoGodtheyaresheepandewesyouare
charging!Comeback!Unluckythefatherthatbegotme!whatmadnessisthis!Look,
thereisnogiant,norknight,norcats,norarms,norshieldsquarteredorwhole,nor
vairazureorbedevilled.Whatareyouabout?SinnerthatIambeforeGod!"Butnot
foralltheseentreatiesdidDonQuixoteturnback;onthecontraryhewenton
shoutingout,"Ho,knights,yewhofollowandfightunderthebannersofthevaliant
emperorPentapolinoftheBareArm,followmeall;yeshallseehoweasilyIshall
givehimhisrevengeoverhisenemyAlifanfaronoftheTrapobana."
Sosaying,hedashedintothemidstofthesquadronofewes,andbeganspearing
themwithasmuchspiritandintrepidityasifheweretransfixingmortalenemiesin
earnest.Theshepherdsanddroversaccompanyingtheflockshoutedtohimto
desist;seeingitwasnouse,theyungirttheirslingsandbegantosalutehisearswith
stonesasbigasone'sfist.DonQuixotegavenoheedtothestones,but,lettingdrive
rightandleftkeptsaying:
100
"Whereartthou,proudAlifanfaron?Comebeforeme;Iamasingleknightwho
wouldfainprovethyprowesshandtohand,andmaketheeyieldthylifeapenalty
forthewrongthoudosttothevaliantPentapolinGaramanta."Herecameasugar
plumfromthebrookthatstruckhimonthesideandburiedacoupleofribsinhis
body.Feelinghimselfsosmitten,heimaginedhimselfslainorbadlywoundedfor
certain,andrecollectinghisliquorhedrewouthisflask,andputtingittohismouth
begantopourthecontentsintohisstomach;buterehehadsucceededin
swallowingwhatseemedtohimenough,therecameanotheralmondwhichstruck
himonthehandandontheflasksofairlythatitsmashedittopieces,knockingthree
orfourteethandgrindersoutofhismouthinitscourse,andsorelycrushingtwo
fingersofhishand.Suchwastheforceofthefirstblowandofthesecond,thatthe
poorknightinspiteofhimselfcamedownbackwardsoffhishorse.Theshepherds
cameup,andfeltsuretheyhadkilledhim;soinallhastetheycollectedtheirflock
together,tookupthedeadbeasts,ofwhichthereweremorethanseven,andmade
offwithoutwaitingtoascertainanythingfurther.
AllthistimeSanchostoodonthehillwatchingthecrazyfeatshismasterwas
performing,andtearinghisbeardandcursingthehourandtheoccasionwhen
fortunehadmadehimacquaintedwithhim.Seeinghim,then,broughttotheground,
andthattheshepherdshadtakenthemselvesoff,herantohimandfoundhimin
veryaverybadstate,thoughnotunconscious;andsaidhe:
"DidInottellyoutocomeback,SeorDonQuixote;andthatwhatyouweregoingto
attackwerenotarmiesbutdrovesofsheep?"
"That'showthatthiefofasage,myenemy,canalterandfalsifythings,"answered
DonQuixote;"thoumustknow,Sancho,thatitisaveryeasymatterforthoseofhis
sorttomakeusbelievewhattheychoose;andthismalignantbeingwhopersecutes
me,enviousofthegloryheknewIwastowininthisbattle,hasturnedthe
squadronsoftheenemyintodrovesofsheep.Atanyrate,dothismuch,Ibegof
101
thee,Sancho,toundeceivethyself,andseethatwhatIsayistrue;mountthyassand
followthemquietly,andthoushaltseethatwhentheyhavegonesomelittle
distancefromthistheywillreturntotheiroriginalshapeand,ceasingtobesheep,
becomemeninallrespectsasIdescribedthemtotheeatfirst.Butgonotjustyet,
forIwantthyhelpandassistance;comehither,andseehowmanyofmyteethand
grindersaremissing,forIfeelasiftherewasnotoneleftinmymouth."
102
CHAPTERXXII.
OFTHEFREEDOMDONQUIXOTECONFERREDONSEVERALUNFORTUNATES
WHOAGAINSTTHEIRWILLWEREBEINGCARRIEDWHERETHEYHADNOWISH
TOGO
CideHameteBenengeli,theArabandManchegan53author,relatesinthismost
grave,highsounding,minute,delightful,andoriginalhistorythatafterthe
discussionbetweenthefamousDonQuixoteofLaManchaandhissquireSancho
Panzawhichissetdownattheendofchaptertwentyone,DonQuixoteraisedhis
eyesandsawcomingalongtheroadhewasfollowingsomedozenmenonfoot
strungtogetherbytheneck,likebeads,onagreatironchain,andallwithmanacles
ontheirhands.Withthemtherecamealsotwomenonhorsebackandtwoonfoot;
thoseonhorsebackwithwheellockmuskets,thoseonfootwithjavelinsand
swords,andassoonasSanchosawthemhesaid:
"Thatisachainofgalleyslaves,onthewaytothegalleysbyforceoftheking's
orders."
"Howbyforce?"askedDonQuixote;"isitpossiblethatthekingusesforceagainst
anyone?"
"Idonotsaythat,"answeredSancho,"butthatthesearepeoplecondemnedfortheir
crimestoservebyforceintheking'sgalleys."
"Infact,"repliedDonQuixote,"howeveritmaybe,thesepeoplearegoingwhere
theyaretakingthembyforce,andnotoftheirownwill."
"Justso,"saidSancho.
53FromlaMancha.
103
"Thenifso,"saidDonQuixote,"hereisacasefortheexerciseofmyoffice,toput
downforceandtosuccorandhelpthewretched."
"Recollect,yourworship,"saidSancho,"Justice,whichisthekinghimself,isnot
usingforceordoingwrongtosuchpersons,butpunishingthemfortheircrimes."
Thechainofgalleyslaveshadbythistimecomeup,andDonQuixoteinvery
courteouslanguageaskedthosewhowereincustodyofittobegoodenoughtotell
himthereasonorreasonsforwhichtheywereconductingthesepeopleinthis
manner.Oneoftheguardsonhorsebackansweredthattheyweregalleyslaves
belongingtohismajesty,thattheyweregoingtothegalleys,andthatwasallthat
wastobesaidandallhehadanybusinesstoknow.
"Nevertheless,"repliedDonQuixote,"Ishouldliketoknowfromeachofthem
separatelythereasonofhismisfortune;"tothisheaddedmoretothesameeffectto
inducethemtotellhimwhathewantedsocivillythattheothermountedguardsaid
tohim:
"Thoughwehaveheretheregisterandcertificateofthesentenceofeveryoneof
thesewretches,thisisnotimetotakethemoutorreadthem;comeandask
themselves;theycantelliftheychoose,andtheywill,forthesefellowstakea
pleasureindoingandtalkingaboutrascalities."
Withthispermission,whichDonQuixotewouldhavetakenevenhadtheynot
grantedit,heapproachedthechainandaskedthefirstforwhatoffenceshewas
nowinsuchasorrycase.
Hemadeanswerthatitwasforbeingalover.
104 DonQuixotedelaMancha
"Forthatonly?"repliedDonQuixote;"why,ifforbeingloverstheysendpeopleto
thegalleysImighthavebeenrowinginthemlongago."
"Theloveisnotthesortyourworshipisthinkingof,"saidthegalleyslave;"mine
wasthatIlovedawasherwoman'sbasketofcleanlinensowell,andhelditsoclose
inmyembrace,thatifthearmofthelawhadnotforceditfromme,Ishouldnever
haveletitgoofmyownwilltothismoment;Iwascaughtintheact,therewasno
occasionfortorture,thecasewassettled,theytreatedmetoahundredlasheson
theback,andthreeyearsofgurapasbesides,andthatwastheendofit."
"Whataregurapas?"askedDonQuixote.
"Gurapasaregalleys,"answeredthegalleyslave,whowasayoungmanofabout
fourandtwenty,andsaidhewasanativeofPiedrahita.
DonQuixoteaskedthesamequestionofthesecond,whomadenoreply,so
downcastandmelancholywashe;butthefirstansweredforhim,andsaid,"He,sir,
goesasacanary,Imeanasamusicianandasinger."
"What!"saidDonQuixote,"forbeingmusiciansandsingersarepeoplesenttothe
galleystoo?"
"Yes,sir,"answeredthegalleyslave,"forthereisnothingworsethansingingunder
suffering."
"Onthecontrary,Ihaveheardsay,"saidDonQuixote,"thathewhosingsscares
awayhiswoes."
"Hereitisthereverse,"saidthegalleyslave;"forhewhosingsonceweepsallhis
life."
105
"Idonotunderstandit,"saidDonQuixote;butoneoftheguardssaidtohim,"Sir,to
singundersufferingmeanswiththenonsancta54fraternitytoconfessunder
torture;theyputthissinnertothetortureandheconfessedhiscrime,whichwas
beingacuatrero,thatisacattlethief,andonhisconfessiontheysentencedhimto
sixyearsinthegalleys,besidestwohundredlashesthathehasalreadyhadonthe
back;andheisalwaysdejectedanddowncastbecausetheotherthievesthatwere
leftbehindandthatmarchhereilltreat,andsnub,andjeer,anddespisehimfor
confessingandnothavingspiritenoughtosaynay;for,saythey,'nay'hasnomore
lettersinitthan'yea,'andaculpritiswelloffwhenlifeordeathwithhimdepends
onhisowntongueandnotonthatofwitnessesorevidence;andtomythinkingthey
arenotveryfarwrong."
"AndIthinksotoo,"answeredDonQuixote;thenpassingontothethirdheasked
himwhathehadaskedtheothers,andthemanansweredveryreadilyand
unconcernedly,"Iamgoingforfiveyearstotheirladyshipsthegurapasforthewant
oftenducats."
"Iwillgivetwentywithpleasuretogetyououtofthattrouble,"saidDonQuixote.
"That,"saidthegalleyslave,"islikeamanhavingmoneyatseawhenheisdyingof
hungerandhasnowayofbuyingwhathewants;Isaysobecauseifattherighttime
Ihadhadthosetwentyducatsthatyourworshipnowoffersme,Iwouldhave
greasedthenotary'spenandfresheneduptheattorney'switwiththem,sothatto
dayIshouldbeinthemiddleoftheplazaoftheZocodoveratToledo,andnotonthis
roadcoupledlikeagreyhound.ButGodisgreat;patiencethere,that'senoughof
it."
DonQuixotepassedontothefourth,amanofvenerableaspectwithawhitebeard
fallingbelowhisbreast,whoonhearinghimselfaskedthereasonofhisbeingthere
54Unholy
begantoweepwithoutansweringaword,butthefifthactedashistongueandsaid,
"Thisworthymanisgoingtothegalleysforfouryears,afterhavinggonetherounds
inceremonyandonhorseback.55"
"Thatmeans,"saidSanchoPanza,"asItakeit,tohavebeenexposedtoshamein
public."
"Justso,"repliedthegalleyslave,"andtheoffenceforwhichtheygavehimthat
punishmentwashavingbeenanearbroker,naybodybroker;Imean,inshort,that
thisgentlemangoesasapimp,andforhavingbesidesacertaintouchofthesorcerer
abouthim."
"Ifthattouchhadnotbeenthrownin,"saidDonQuixote,"hewouldnotdeserve,for
merepimping,torowinthegalleys,butrathertocommandandbeadmiralofthem;
fortheofficeofpimpisnoordinaryone,beingtheofficeofpersonsofdiscretion,
oneverynecessaryinawellorderedstate,andonlytobeexercisedbypersonsof
goodbirth;nay,thereoughttobeaninspectorandoverseerofthem,asinother
offices,andrecognizednumber,aswiththebrokersonchange;inthiswaymanyof
theevilswouldbeavoidedwhicharecausedbythisofficeandcallingbeinginthe
handsofstupidandignorantpeople,suchaswomenmoreorlesssilly,andpages
andjestersoflittlestandingandexperience,whoonthemosturgentoccasions,and
wheningenuityofcontrivanceisneeded,letthecrumbsfreezeonthewaytotheir
mouths,andknownotwhichistheirrighthand.Ishouldliketogofarther,andgive
reasonstoshowthatitisadvisabletochoosethosewhoaretoholdsonecessaryan
officeinthestate,butthisisnotthefitplaceforit;somedayIwillexpoundthe
mattertosomeoneabletoseetoandrectifyit;allIsaynowis,thattheadditional
factofhisbeingasorcererhasremovedthesorrowitgavemetoseethesewhite
hairsandthisvenerablecountenanceinsopainfulapositiononaccountofhisbeing
apimp;thoughIknowwelltherearenosorceriesintheworldthatcanmoveor
55Afterhavingbeenfloggedinpublic,withalltheceremonythatwentwithit.
107
compelthewillassomesimplefolkfancy,forourwillisfree,noristhereherbor
charmthatcanforceit56.Allthatcertainsillywomenandquacksdoistoturnmen
madwithpotionsandpoisons,pretendingthattheyhavepowertocauselove,for,as
Isay,itisanimpossibilitytocompelthewill."
"Itistrue,"saidthegoodoldman,"andindeed,sir,asfarasthechargeofsorcery
goesIwasnotguilty;astothatofbeingapimpIcannotdenyit;butIneverthought
Iwasdoinganyharmbyit,formyonlyobjectwasthatalltheworldshouldenjoy
itselfandliveinpeaceandquiet,withoutquarrelsortroubles;butmygood
intentionswereunavailingtosavemefromgoingwhereIneverexpecttocome
backfrom,withthisweightofyearsuponmeandaurinaryailmentthatnevergives
meamoment'sease;"andagainhefelltoweepingasbefore,andsuchcompassion
didSanchofeelforhimthathetookoutarealoffourfromhisbosomandgaveitto
himinalms.
DonQuixotewentonandaskedanotherwhathiscrimewas,andthemananswered
withnolessbutrathermuchmoresprightlinessthanthelastone.
"IamherebecauseIcarriedthejoketoofarwithacoupleofcousinsofmine,and
withacoupleofothercousinswhowerenoneofmine;inshort,Icarriedthejokeso
farwiththemallthatitendedinsuchacomplicatedincreaseofkindredthatno
accountantcouldmakeitclear:itwasallprovedagainstme,Igotnofavor,Ihadno
money,Iwasnearhavingmyneckstretched,theysentencedmetothegalleysfor
sixyears,Iacceptedmyfate,itisthepunishmentofmyfault;Iamayoungman;let
lifeonlylast,andwiththatallwillcomeright.Ifyou,sir,haveanythingwherewithto
helpthepoor,Godwillrepayittoyouinheaven,andweonearthwilltakecarein
ourpetitionstohimtoprayforthelifeandhealthofyourworship,thattheymaybe
aslongandasgoodasyouramiableappearancedeserves."
56Here,Quixotedeniestheexistenceofsorcererswhocanmakepeopleactagainst
theirwill,thoughheacceptsenchantmentsandspellsaspartofhisownworldview.
Thisonewasinthedressofastudent,andoneoftheguardssaidhewasagreat
talkerandaveryelegantLatinscholar.
Behindallthesetherecameamanofthirty,averypersonablefellow,exceptthat
whenhelooked,hiseyesturnedinalittleonetowardstheother.Hewasbound
differentlyfromtherest,forhehadtohislegachainsolongthatitwaswoundall
roundhisbody,andtworingsonhisneck,oneattachedtothechain,theotherto
whattheycalla"keepfriend"or"friend'sfoot,"fromwhichhungtwoironsreaching
tohiswaistwithtwomanaclesfixedtotheminwhichhishandsweresecuredbya
bigpadlock,sothathecouldneitherraisehishandstohismouthnorlowerhishead
tohishands.DonQuixoteaskedwhythismancarriedsomanymorechainsthanthe
others.Theguardrepliedthatitwasbecausehealonehadcommittedmorecrimes
thanalltherestputtogether,andwassodaringandsuchavillain,thatthoughthey
marchedhiminthatfashiontheydidnotfeelsureofhim,butwereindreadofhis
makinghisescape.
"Whatcrimescanhehavecommitted,"saidDonQuixote,"iftheyhavenotdeserved
aheavierpunishmentthanbeingsenttothegalleys?"
"Hegoesfortenyears,"repliedtheguard,"whichisthesamethingascivildeath,
andallthatneedbesaidisthatthisgoodfellowisthefamousGinesdePasamonte,
otherwisecalledGinesillodeParapilla."
"Gently,seorcommissary,"saidthegalleyslaveatthis,"letushavenofixingof
namesorsurnames;mynameisGines,notGinesillo,andmyfamilynameis
Pasamonte,notParapillaasyousay;leteachonemindhisownbusiness,andhewill
bedoingenough."
"Speakwithlessimpertinence,masterthiefofextrameasure,"repliedthe
commissary,"ifyoudon'twantmetomakeyouholdyourtongueinspiteofyour
teeth."
109
"Itiseasytosee,"returnedthegalleyslave,"thatmangoesasGodpleases,butsome
oneshallknowsomedaywhetherIamcalledGinesillodeParapillaornot."
"Don'ttheycallyouso,youliar?"saidtheguard.
"Theydo,"returnedGines,"butIwillmakethemgiveovercallingmeso,orIwillbe
shaved,where,Ionlysaybehindmyteeth.Ifyou,sir,haveanythingtogiveus,giveit
tousatonce,andGodspeedyou,foryouarebecomingtiresomewithallthis
inquisitivenessaboutthelivesofothers;ifyouwanttoknowaboutmine,letmetell
youIamGinesdePasamonte,whoselifeiswrittenbythesefingers."
"Hesaystrue,"saidthecommissary,"forhehashimselfwrittenhisstoryasgrandas
youplease,andhasleftthebookintheprisoninpawnfortwohundredreals."
"AndImeantotakeitoutofpawn,"saidGines,"thoughitwereinfortwohundred
ducats."
"Isitsogood?"saidDonQuixote.
"Sogoodisit,"repliedGines,"thatafigforLazarillodeTormes,57andallofthatkind
thathavebeenwritten,orshallbewrittencomparedwithit:allIwillsayaboutitis
thatitdealswithfacts,andfactssoneatanddivertingthatnoliescouldmatch
them."
"Andhowisthebookentitled?"askedDonQuixote.
"TheLifeofGinesdePasamonte,"repliedthesubjectofit.
57Apicaresqueorroguenovel,publishedanonymouslyaboutthemiddleofthe15th
century.
"Andisitfinished?"askedDonQuixote.
"Howcanitbefinished,"saidtheother,"whenmylifeisnotyetfinished?Allthatis
writtenisfrommybirthdowntothepointwhentheysentmetothegalleysthislast
time."
"Thenyouhavebeentherebefore?"saidDonQuixote.
"IntheserviceofGodandthekingIhavebeenthereforfouryearsbeforenow,andI
knowbythistimewhatthebiscuitandcourbash58arelike,"repliedGines;"anditis
nogreatgrievancetometogobacktothem,forthereIshallhavetimetofinishmy
book;Ihavestillmanythingslefttosay,andinthegalleysofSpainthereismore
thanenoughleisure;thoughIdonotwantmuchforwhatIhavetowrite,forIhaveit
byheart."
"Youseemacleverfellow,"saidDonQuixote.
"Andanunfortunateone,"repliedGines,"formisfortunealwayspersecutesgood
wit."
"Itpersecutesrogues,"saidthecommissary.
"Itoldyoualreadytogogently,mastercommissary,"saidPasamonte;"their
lordshipsyondernevergaveyouthatstafftoilltreatuswretcheshere,butto
conductandtakeuswherehismajestyordersyou;ifnot,bythelifeofnevermind;
itmaybethatsomedaythestainsmadeintheinnwillcomeoutinthescouring;let
everyoneholdhistongueandbehavewellandspeakbetter;andnowletusmarch
on,forwehavehadquiteenoughofthisentertainment."
58Awhiporstrapaboutthreefeetlong,commonlyusedaspunishmentorin
torture.
111
ThecommissaryliftedhisstafftostrikePasamonteinreturnforhisthreats,butDon
Quixotecamebetweenthem,andbeggedhimnottoillusehim,asitwasnottoo
muchtoallowonewhohadhishandstiedtohavehistongueatriflefree;and
turningtothewholechainofthemhesaid:
"Fromallyouhavetoldme,dearbrethren,makeoutclearlythatthoughtheyhave
punishedyouforyourfaults,thepunishmentsyouareabouttoenduredonotgive
youmuchpleasure,andthatyougotothemverymuchagainstthegrainandagainst
yourwill,andthatperhapsthisone'swantofcourageundertorture,thatone'swant
ofmoney,theother'swantofadvocacy,andlastlythepervertedjudgmentofthe
judgemayhavebeenthecauseofyourruinandofyourfailuretoobtainthejustice
youhadonyourside.Allwhichpresentsitselfnowtomymind,urging,persuading,
andevencompellingmetodemonstrateinyourcasethepurposeforwhichHeaven
sentmeintotheworldandcausedmetomakeprofessionoftheorderofchivalryto
whichIbelong,andthevowItookthereintogiveaidtothoseinneedandunderthe
oppressionofthestrong.ButasIknowthatitisamarkofprudencenottodoby
foulmeanswhatmaybedonebyfair,Iwillaskthesegentlemen,theguardsand
commissary,tobesogoodastoreleaseyouandletyougoinpeace,astherewillbe
nolackofotherstoservethekingundermorefavorablecircumstances;foritseems
tomeahardcasetomakeslavesofthosewhomGodandnaturehavemadefree.
Moreover,sirsoftheguard,"addedDonQuixote,"thesepoorfellowshavedone
nothingtoyou;leteachanswerforhisownsinsyonder;thereisaGodinHeaven
whowillnotforgettopunishthewickedorrewardthegood;anditisnotfittingthat
honestmenshouldbetheinstrumentsofpunishmenttoothers,theybeingtherein
nowayconcerned.ThisrequestImakethusgentlyandquietly,that,ifyoucomply
withit,Imayhavereasonforthankingyou;and,ifyouwillnotvoluntarily,this
lanceandswordtogetherwiththemightofmyarmshallcompelyoutocomplywith
itbyforce."
"Nicenonsense!"saidthecommissary;"afinepieceofpleasantryhehascomeout
withatlast!Hewantsustolettheking'sprisonersgo,asifwehadanyauthorityto
releasethem,orhetoorderustodoso!Goyourway,sir,andgoodlucktoyou;put
thatbasin59straightthatyou'vegotonyourhead,anddon'tgolookingforthreefeet
onacat.60"
"'Tisyouthatarethecat,rat,andrascal,"repliedDonQuixote,andactingonthe
wordhefelluponhimsosuddenlythatwithoutgivinghimtimetodefendhimselfhe
broughthimtothegroundsorelywoundedwithalancethrust;andluckyitwasfor
himthatitwastheonethathadthemusket.Theotherguardsstoodthunderstruck
andamazedatthisunexpectedevent,butrecoveringpresenceofmind,thoseon
horsebackseizedtheirswords,andthoseonfoottheirjavelins,andattackedDon
Quixote,whowaswaitingforthemwithgreatcalmness;andnodoubtitwouldhave
gonebadlywithhimifthegalleyslaves,seeingthechancebeforethemofliberating
themselves,hadnoteffecteditbycontrivingtobreakthechainonwhichtheywere
strung.Suchwastheconfusion,thattheguards,nowrushingatthegalleyslaves
whowerebreakingloose,nowtoattackDonQuixotewhowaswaitingforthem,did
nothingatallthatwasofanyuse.Sancho,onhispart,gaveahelpinghandtorelease
GinesdePasamonte,whowasthefirsttoleapforthupontheplainfreeand
unfettered,andwho,attackingtheprostratecommissary,tookfromhimhissword
andthemusket,withwhich,aimingatoneandlevelingatanother,he,withoutever
dischargingit,droveeveryoneoftheguardsoffthefield,fortheytooktoflight,as
welltoescapePasamonte'smusket,astheshowersofstonesthenowreleased
galleyslaveswereraininguponthem.Sanchowasgreatlygrievedattheaffair,
becauseheanticipatedthatthosewhohadfledwouldreportthemattertotheHoly
Brotherhood,whoatthesummonsofthealarmbellwouldatoncesallyforthin
questoftheoffenders;andhesaidsotohismaster,andentreatedhimtoleavethe
placeatonce,andgointohidinginthesierrathatwascloseby.
59Ashavingbasin,whichDonQuixotehasappropriatedforahelmet,thinkingitto
bethefamousenchantedhelmetofMambrino.
60Themoreusualformoftheproverbisfivefeetonacat.
113
"Thatisallverywell,"saidDonQuixote,"butIknowwhatmustbedonenow;"and
callingtogetherallthegalleyslaves,whowerenowrunningriot,andhadstripped
thecommissarytotheskin,hecollectedthemroundhimtohearwhathehadtosay,
andaddressedthemasfollows:"Tobegratefulforbenefitsreceivedisthepartof
personsofgoodbirth,andoneofthesinsmostoffensivetoGodisingratitude;Isay
sobecause,sirs,yehavealreadyseenbymanifestproofthebenefityehavereceived
ofme;inreturnforwhichIdesire,anditismygoodpleasurethat,ladenwiththat
chainwhichIhavetakenoffyournecks,yeatoncesetoutandproceedtothecityof
ElToboso,andtherepresentyourselvesbeforetheladyDulcineadelToboso,and
saytoherthatherknight,heoftheMournfulCountenance,sendstocommend
himselftoher;andthatyerecounttoherinfulldetailalltheparticularsofthis
notableadventure,uptotherecoveryofyourlongedforliberty;andthisdoneye
maygowhereyewill,andgoodfortuneattendyou."
GinesdePasamontemadeanswerforall,saying,"Thatwhichyou,sir,ourdeliverer,
demandofus,isofallimpossibilitiesthemostimpossibletocomplywith,because
wecannotgotogetheralongtheroads,butonlysinglyandseparate,andeachone
hisownway,endeavoringtohideourselvesinthebowelsoftheearthtoescapethe
HolyBrotherhood,which,nodoubt,willcomeoutinsearchofus.Whatyour
worshipmaydo,andfairlydo,istochangethisserviceandtributeasregardsthe
ladyDulcineadelTobosoforacertainquantityofavemariasandcredoswhichwe
willsayforyourworship'sintention,andthisisaconditionthatcanbecomplied
withbynightasbyday,runningorresting,inpeaceorinwar;buttoimaginethat
wearegoingnowtoreturntothefleshpotsofEgypt,Imeantotakeupourchain
andsetoutforElToboso,istoimaginethatitisnownight,thoughitisnotyettenin
themorning,andtoaskthisofusislikeaskingpearsoftheelmtree."
"Thenbyallthat'sgood,"saidDonQuixote(nowstirredtowrath),"Donsonofa
bitch,DonGinesillodeParopillo,orwhateveryournameis,youwillhavetogo
yourselfalone,withyourtailbetweenyourlegsandthewholechainonyourback."
Pasamonte,whowasanythingbutmeek(beingbythistimethoroughlyconvinced
thatDonQuixotewasnotquiterightinhisheadashehadcommittedsuchavagary
astosetthemfree),findinghimselfabusedinthisfashion,gavethewinktohis
companions,andfallingbacktheybegantoshowerstonesonDonQuixoteatsucha
ratethathewasquiteunabletoprotecthimselfwithhisbuckler,andpoor
Rocinantenomoreheededthespurthanifhehadbeenmadeofbrass.Sancho
plantedhimselfbehindhisass,andwithhimshelteredhimselffromthehailstorm
thatpouredonbothofthem.DonQuixotewasunabletoshieldhimselfsowellbut
thatmorepebblesthanIcouldcountstruckhimfullonthebodywithsuchforce
thattheybroughthimtotheground;andtheinstanthefellthestudentpounced
uponhim,snatchedthebasinfromhishead,andwithitstruckthreeorfourblows
onhisshoulders,andasmanymoreontheground,knockingitalmosttopieces.
Theythenstrippedhimofajacketthatheworeoverhisarmor,andtheywouldhave
strippedoffhisstockingsifhisgreaveshadnotpreventedthem.FromSanchothey
tookhiscoat,leavinghiminhisshirtsleeves;anddividingamongthemselvesthe
remainingspoilsofthebattle,theywenteachonehisownway,moresolicitous
aboutkeepingclearoftheHolyBrotherhoodtheydreaded,thanaboutburdening
themselveswiththechain,orgoingtopresentthemselvesbeforetheladyDulcinea
delToboso.TheassandRocinante,SanchoandDonQuixote,wereallthatwereleft
uponthespot;theasswithdroopinghead,serious,shakinghisearsfromtimeto
timeasifhethoughtthestormofstonesthatassailedthemwasnotyetover;
Rocinantestretchedbesidehismaster,forhetoohadbeenbroughttothegroundby
astone;Sanchostripped,andtremblingwithfearoftheHolyBrotherhood;andDon
Quixotefumingtofindhimselfsoservedbytheverypersonsforwhomhehaddone
somuch.
115
CHAPTERLII61
OFTHEQUARRELTHATDONQUIXOTEHADWITHTHEGOATHERD,TOGETHER
WITHTHERAREADVENTUREOFTHEPENITENTS,WHICHWITHAN
EXPENDITUREOFSWEATHEBROUGHTTOAHAPPYCONCLUSION
Thegoatherd'stalegavegreatsatisfactiontoallthehearers,andthecanon62
especiallyenjoyedit,forhehadremarkedwithparticularattentionthemannerin
whichithadbeentold,whichwasasunlikethemannerofaclownishgoatherdasit
waslikethatofapolishedcitywit;andheobservedthatthecuratehadbeenquite
rightinsayingthatthewoodsbredmenoflearning.Theyallofferedtheirservices
toEugeniobuthewhoshowedhimselfmostliberalinthiswaywasDonQuixote,
whosaidtohim,"Mostassuredly,brothergoatherd,ifIfoundmyselfinapositionto
attemptanyadventure,Iwould,thisveryinstant,setoutonyourbehalf,andwould
rescueLeandrafromthatconvent(wherenodoubtsheiskeptagainstherwill),in
spiteoftheabbessandallwhomighttrytopreventme,andwouldplaceherinyour
handstodealwithheraccordingtoyourwillandpleasure,observing,however,the
lawsofchivalrywhichlaydownthatnoviolenceofanykindistobeofferedtoany
damsel.ButItrustinGodourLordthatthemightofonemalignantenchantermay
notprovesogreatbutthatthepowerofanotherbetterdisposedmayprove
superiortoit,andthenIpromiseyoumysupportandassistance,asIamboundto
dobymyprofession,whichisnoneotherthantogiveaidtotheweakandneedy."
61ThelastchapterofPartOne.Throughvariousdevices,includingtheuseofDon
Quixotesownbeliefinenchantmentsandspells,thecurateandthebarberhave
persuadedtheknighttolethimselfbetakenhomeinanoxcart.
62AcanonfromToledowhohasjoinedDonQuixoteandhisguardiansontheway;
conversingaboutchivalrywiththeknight,hehashadcausetobeastonishedatDon
Quixoteswellreasonednonsense.
Thegoatherdeyedhim,andnoticingDonQuixote'ssorryappearanceandlooks,he
wasfilledwithwonder,andaskedthebarber,whowasnexthim,"Seor,whoisthis
manwhomakessuchafigureandtalksinsuchastrain?"
"Whoshoulditbe,"saidthebarber,"butthefamousDonQuixoteofLaMancha,the
undoerofinjustice,therighterofwrongs,theprotectorofdamsels,theterrorof
giants,andthewinnerofbattles?"
"That,"saidthegoatherd,"soundslikewhatonereadsinthebooksoftheknights
errant,whodidallthatyousaythismandoes;thoughitismybeliefthateitheryou
arejoking,orelsethisgentlemanhasemptylodgingsinhishead."
"Youareagreatscoundrel,"saidDonQuixote,"anditisyouwhoareemptyanda
fool.Iamfullerthaneverwasthewhoresonbitchthatboreyou;"andpassingfrom
wordstodeeds,hecaughtupaloafthatwasnearhimandsentitfullinthe
goatherd'sface,withsuchforcethatheflattenedhisnose;butthegoatherd,whodid
notunderstandjokes,andfoundhimselfroughlyhandledinsuchgoodearnest,
payingnorespecttocarpet,tablecloth,ordiners,spranguponDonQuixote,and
seizinghimbythethroatwithbothhandswouldnodoubthavethrottledhim,had
notSanchoPanzathatinstantcometotherescue,andgraspinghimbythe
shouldersflunghimdownonthetable,smashingplates,breakingglasses,and
upsettingandscatteringeverythingonit.DonQuixote,findinghimselffree,stroveto
getontopofthegoatherd,who,withhisfacecoveredwithblood,andsoundly
kickedbySancho,wasonallfoursfeelingaboutforoneofthetableknivestotakea
bloodyrevengewith.Thecanonandthecurate,however,preventedhim,butthe
barbersocontriveditthathegotDonQuixoteunderhim,andraineddownupon
himsuchashoweroffisticuffsthatthepoorknight'sfacestreamedwithbloodas
freelyashisown.Thecanonandthecuratewereburstingwithlaughter,the
officers63werecaperingwithdelight,andboththeoneandtheotherhissedthemon
63LawofficersfromtheHolyBrotherhood.TheyhadwantedtoarrestDonQuixote
117
astheydodogsthatareworryingoneanotherinafight.Sanchoalonewasfrantic,
forhecouldnotfreehimselffromthegraspofoneofthecanon'sservants,whokept
himfromgoingtohismaster'sassistance.
Atlast,whiletheywereall,withtheexceptionofthetwobruiserswhowere
maulingeachother,inhighgleeandenjoyment,theyheardatrumpetsoundanote
sodolefulthatitmadethemalllookinthedirectionwhencethesoundseemedto
come.ButtheonethatwasmostexcitedbyhearingitwasDonQuixote,whothough
sorelyagainsthiswillhewasunderthegoatherd,andsomethingmorethanpretty
wellpummeled,saidtohim,"Brotherdevil(foritisimpossiblebutthatthoumust
beonesincethouhasthadmightandstrengthenoughtoovercomemine),Iaskthee
toagreetoatruceforbutonehourforthesolemnnoteofyondertrumpetthatfalls
onourearsseemstometosummonmetosomenewadventure."Thegoatherd,who
wasbythistimetiredofpummelingandbeingpummeled,releasedhimatonce,and
DonQuixoterisingtohisfeetandturninghiseyestothequarterwherethesound
hadbeenheard,suddenlysawcomingdowntheslopeofahillseveralmencladin
whitelikepenitents.
Thefactwasthatthecloudshadthatyearwithheldtheirmoisturefromtheearth,
andinallthevillagesofthedistricttheywereorganizingprocessions,rogations,and
penances,imploringGodtoopenthehandsofhismercyandsendtherain;andto
thisendthepeopleofavillagethatwashardbyweregoinginprocessiontoaholy
hermitagetherewasononesideofthatvalley.DonQuixotewhenhesawthe
strangegarbofthepenitents,withoutreflectinghowoftenhehadseenitbefore,
tookitintohisheadthatthiswasacaseofadventure,andthatitfelltohimaloneas
aknighterranttoengageinit;andhewasallthemoreconfirmedinthisnotion,by
theideathatanimagedrapedinblacktheyhadwiththemwassomeillustriouslady
thatthesevillainsanddiscourteousthieveswerecarryingoffbyforce.Assoonas
thisoccurredtohimheranwithallspeedtoRocinantewhowasgrazingatlarge,
fortryingtofreethegalleyslavesbuthadbeenpersuadedtolethimgo,duetohis
insanity.
andtakingthebridleandthebucklerfromthesaddlebow,hehadhimbridledinan
instant,andcallingtoSanchoforhisswordhemountedRocinante,bracedhis
buckleronhisarm,andinaloudvoiceexclaimedtothosewhostoodby,"Now,
noblecompany,yeshallseehowimportantitisthatthereshouldbeknightsinthe
worldprofessingtheofknighterrantry;now,Isay,yeshallsee,bythedeliverance
ofthatworthyladywhoisbornecaptivethere,whetherknightserrantdeserveto
beheldinestimation,"andsosayinghebroughthislegstobearonRocinantefor
hehadnospursandatafullcanter(forinallthisveracioushistoryweneverread
ofRocinantefairlygalloping)setofftoencounterthepenitents,thoughthecurate,
thecanon,andthebarberrantopreventhim.Butitwasoutoftheirpower,nordid
heevenstopfortheshoutsofSanchocallingafterhim,"Whereareyougoing,Seor
DonQuixote?WhatdevilshavepossessedyoutosetyouonagainstourCatholic
faith?Plaguetakeme!mind,thatisaprocessionofpenitents,andtheladytheyare
carryingonthatstandthereistheblessedimageoftheimmaculateVirgin.Takecare
whatyouaredoing,seor,forthistimeitmaybesafelysaidyoudon'tknowwhat
youareabout."Sancholaboredinvain,forhismasterwassobentoncomingto
quarterswiththesesheetedfiguresandreleasingtheladyinblackthathedidnot
hearaword;andevenhadheheard,hewouldnothaveturnedbackifthekinghad
orderedhim.HecameupwiththeprocessionandreinedinRocinante,whowas
alreadyanxiousenoughtoslackenspeedalittle,andinahoarse,excitedvoicehe
exclaimed,"Youwhohideyourfaces,perhapsbecauseyouarenotgoodsubjects,
payattentionandlistentowhatIamabouttosaytoyou."Thefirsttohaltwere
thosewhowerecarryingtheimage,andoneofthefourecclesiasticswhowere
chantingtheLitany,struckbythestrangefigureofDonQuixote,theleannessof
Rocinante,andtheotherludicrouspeculiaritiesheobserved,saidinreplytohim,
"Brother,ifyouhaveanythingtosaytoussayitquickly,forthesebrethrenare
whippingthemselves,andwecannotstop,norisitreasonableweshouldstopto
hearanything,unlessindeeditisshortenoughtobesaidintwowords."
"Iwillsayitinone,"repliedDonQuixote,"anditisthis;thatatonce,thisvery
instant,yereleasethatfairladywhosetearsandsadaspectshowplainlythatyeare
119
carryingheroffagainstherwill,andthatyehavecommittedsomescandalous
outrageagainsther;andI,whowasbornintotheworldtoredressallsuchlike
wrongs,willnotpermityoutoadvanceanotherstepuntilyouhaverestoredtoher
thelibertyshepinesforanddeserves."
Fromthesewordsallthehearersconcludedthathemustbeamadman,andbegan
tolaughheartily,andtheirlaughteractedlikegunpowderonDonQuixote'sfury,for
drawinghisswordwithoutanotherwordhemadearushatthestand.Oneofthose
whosupportedit,leavingtheburdentohiscomrades,advancedtomeethim,
flourishingaforkedstickthathehadforproppingupthestandwhenresting,and
withthishecaughtamightycutDonQuixotemadeathimthatsevereditintwo;but
withtheportionthatremainedinhishandhedealtsuchathwackontheshoulderof
DonQuixote'sswordarm(whichthebucklercouldnotprotectagainsttheclownish
assault)thatpoorDonQuixotecametothegroundinasadplight.
SanchoPanza,whowascomingonclosebehindpuffingandblowing,seeinghimfall,
criedouttohisassailantnottostrikehimagain,forhewaspoorenchantedknight,
whohadneverharmedanyoneallthedaysofhislife;butwhatcheckedtheclown
was,notSancho'sshouting,butseeingthatDonQuixotedidnotstirhandorfoot;
andso,fancyinghehadkilledhim,hehastilyhitcheduphistunicunderhisgirdle
andtooktohisheelsacrossthecountrylikeadeer.
BythistimeallDonQuixote'scompanionshadcomeuptowherehelay;butthe
processionistsseeingthemcomerunning,andwiththemtheofficersofthe
Brotherhoodwiththeircrossbows,apprehendedmischief,andclusteringroundthe
image,raisedtheirhoods,andgraspedtheirscourges,asthepriestsdidtheirtapers,
andawaitedtheattack,resolvedtodefendthemselvesandeventotaketheoffensive
againsttheirassailantsiftheycould.Fortune,however,arrangedthematterbetter
thantheyexpected,forallSanchodidwastoflinghimselfonhismaster'sbody,
raisingoverhimthemostdolefulandlaughablelamentationthateverwasheard,
forhebelievedhewasdead.Thecuratewasknowntoanothercuratewhowalkedin
theprocession,andtheirrecognitionofoneanothersetatresttheapprehensionsof
bothparties;thefirstthentoldtheotherintwowordswhoDonQuixotewas,andhe
andthewholetroopofpenitentswenttoseeifthepoorgentlemanwasdead,and
heardSanchoPanzasaying,withtearsinhiseyes,"Ohflowerofchivalry,64thatwith
oneblowofastickhastendedthecourseofthywellspentlife!Ohprideofthyrace,
honorandgloryofallLaMancha,nay,ofalltheworld,thatforwantoftheewillbe
fullofevildoers,nolongerinfearofpunishmentfortheirmisdeeds!Ohthou,
generousabovealltheAlexanders,sinceforonlyeightmonthsofservicethouhast
givenmethebestislandtheseagirdsorsurrounds!Humblewiththeproud,
haughtywiththehumble,encountererofdangers,endurerofoutrages,enamored
withoutreason,imitatorofthegood,scourgeofthewicked,enemyofthemean,in
short,knighterrant,whichisallthatcanbesaid!"
AtthecriesandmoansofSancho,DonQuixotecametohimself,andthefirstword
hesaidwas,"Hewholivesseparatedfromyou,sweetestDulcinea,hasgreater
miseriestoendurethanthese.Aidme,friendSancho,tomounttheenchantedcart,
forIamnotinaconditiontopressthesaddleofRocinante,asthisshoulderisall
knockedtopieces."
"ThatIwilldowithallmyheart,seor,"saidSancho;"andletusreturntoourvillage
withthesegentlemen,whoseekyourgood,andtherewewillprepareformaking
anothersally,whichmayturnoutmoreprofitableandcreditabletous."
"Thouartright,Sancho,"returnedDonQuixote;"Itwillbewisetoletthemalign
influenceofthestarswhichnowprevailspassoff."
Thecanon,thecurate,andthebarbertoldhimhewouldactverywiselyindoingas
hesaid;andso,highlyamusedatSanchoPanza'ssimplicities,theyplacedDon
Quixoteinthecartasbefore.Theprocessiononcemoreformeditselfinorderand
64NotethatbythistimeSanchohasabsorbedsomeofhismasterscourtlyspeech.
121
proceededonitsroad;thegoatherdtookhisleaveoftheparty;theofficersofthe
Brotherhooddeclinedtogoanyfarther,andthecuratepaidthemwhatwasdueto
them;thecanonbeggedthecuratetolethimknowhowDonQuixotedid,whether
hewascuredofhismadnessorstillsufferedfromit,andthenbeggedleaveto
continuehisjourney;inshort,theyallseparatedandwenttheirways,leavingto
themselvesthecurateandthebarber,DonQuixote,SanchoPanza,andthegood
Rocinante,whoregardedeverythingwithasgreatresignationashismaster.The
carteryokedhisoxenandmadeDonQuixotecomfortableonatrussofhay,andat
hisusualdeliberatepacetooktheroadthecuratedirected,andattheendofsixdays
theyreachedDonQuixote'svillage,andentereditaboutthemiddleoftheday,
whichitsohappenedwasaSunday,andthepeoplewereallintheplaza,through
whichDonQuixote'scartpassed.Theyallflockedtoseewhatwasinthecart,and
whentheyrecognizedtheirtownsmantheywerefilledwithamazement,andaboy
ranofftobringthenewstohishousekeeperandhisniecethattheirmasterand
unclehadcomebackallleanandyellowandstretchedonatrussofhayonanox
cart.Itwaspiteoustohearthecriesthetwogoodladiesraised,howtheybeattheir
breastsandpouredoutfreshmaledictionsonthoseaccursedbooksofchivalry;all
whichwasrenewedwhentheysawDonQuixotecominginatthegate.
AtthenewsofDonQuixote'sarrivalSanchoPanza'swifecamerunning,forsheby
thistimeknewthatherhusbandhadgoneawaywithhimashissquire,andon
seeingSancho,thefirstthingsheaskedhimwasiftheasswaswell.Sanchoreplied
thathewas,betterthanhismasterwas.
"ThanksbetoGod,"saidshe,"forbeingsogoodtome;butnowtellme,myfriend,
whathaveyoumadebyyoursquirings?Whatgownhaveyoubroughtmeback?
Whatshoesforyourchildren?"
"Ibringnothingofthatsort,wife,"saidSancho;"thoughIbringotherthingsofmore
consequenceandvalue."
"Iamverygladofthat,"returnedhiswife;"showmethesethingsofmorevalueand
consequence,myfriend;forIwanttoseethemtocheermyheartthathasbeenso
sadandheavyalltheseagesthatyouhavebeenaway."
"Iwillshowthemtoyouathome,wife,"saidSancho;"becontentforthepresent;for
ifitpleaseGodthatweshouldagaingoonourtravelsinsearchofadventures,you
willsoonseemeacount,orgovernorofanisland,andthatnotoneofthose
everydayones,butthebestthatistobehad."
"Heavengrantit,husband,"saidshe,"forindeedwehaveneedofit.Buttellme,
what'sthisaboutislands,forIdon'tunderstandit?"
"Honeyisnotforthemouthoftheass,"returnedSancho;"allingoodtimethoushalt
see,wifenay,thouwiltbesurprisedtohearthyselfcalled'yourladyship'byall
thyvassals."
"Whatareyoutalkingabout,Sancho,withyourladyships,islands,andvassals?"
returnedTeresaPanzaforsoSancho'swifewascalled,thoughtheywerenot
relations,forinLaManchaitiscustomaryforwivestotaketheirhusbands'
surnames.
"Don'tbeinsuchahurrytoknowallthis,Teresa,"saidSancho;"itisenoughthatI
amtellingyouthetruth,soshutyourmouth.ButImaytellyouthismuchbythe
way,thatthereisnothingintheworldmoredelightfulthantobeapersonof
consideration,squiretoaknighterrant,andaseekerofadventures.Tobesuremost
ofthoseonefindsdonotendaspleasantlyasonecouldwish,foroutofahundred,
ninetyninewillturnoutcrossandcontrary.Iknowitbyexperience,foroutofsome
Icameblanketed,andoutofothersbelabored.Still,forallthat,itisafinethingtobe
onthelookoutforwhatmayhappen,crossingmountains,searchingwoods,
climbingrocks,visitingcastles,puttingupatinns,allatfreequarters,anddeviltake
themaraveditopay."
123
WhilethisconversationpassedbetweenSanchoPanzaandhiswife,DonQuixote's
housekeeperandniecetookhiminandundressedhimandlaidhiminhisoldbed.
Heeyedthemaskance,andcouldnotmakeoutwherehewas.Thecuratecharged
hisniecetobeverycarefultomakeherunclecomfortableandtokeepawatchover
himlestheshouldmakehisescapefromthemagain,tellingherwhattheyhadbeen
obligedtodotobringhimhome.Onthisthepaironcemorelifteduptheirvoices
andrenewedtheirmaledictionsuponthebooksofchivalry,andimploredheavento
plungetheauthorsofsuchliesandnonsenseintothemidstofthebottomlesspit.
Theywere,inshort,keptinanxietyanddreadlesttheiruncleandmastershould
givethemtheslipthemomenthefoundhimselfsomewhatbetter,andasthey
fearedsoitfellout.
124
VOLUMEII
CHAPTERI
OFTHEINTERVIEWTHECURATEANDTHEBARBERHADWITHDONQUIXOTE
ABOUTHISMALADY
CideHameteBenengeli,intheSecondPartofthishistory,andthirdsallyofDon
Quixote,saysthatthecurateandthebarberremainednearlyamonthwithout
seeinghim,lesttheyshouldrecallorbringbacktohisrecollectionwhathadtaken
place.Theydidnot,however,omittovisithisnieceandhousekeeper,andcharge
themtobecarefultotreathimwithattention,andgivehimcomfortingthingstoeat,
andsuchasweregoodfortheheartandthebrain,whence,itwasplaintosee,allhis
misfortuneproceeded.Thenieceandhousekeeperrepliedthattheydidso,and
meanttodosowithallpossiblecareandassiduity,fortheycouldperceivethattheir
masterwasnowandthenbeginningtoshowsignsofbeinginhisrightmind.This
gavegreatsatisfactiontothecurateandthebarber,fortheyconcludedtheyhad
takentherightcourseincarryinghimoffenchantedontheoxcart,ashasbeen
describedintheFirstPartofthisgreataswellasaccuratehistory,inthelastchapter
thereof.Sotheyresolvedtopayhimavisitandtesttheimprovementinhis
condition,althoughtheythoughtitalmostimpossiblethattherecouldbeany;and
theyagreednottotouchuponanypointconnectedwithknighterrantrysoasnotto
runtheriskofreopeningwoundswhichwerestillsotender.
Theycametoseehimconsequently,andfoundhimsittingupinbedinagreenbaize
waistcoatandaredToledocap,andsowitheredanddriedupthathelookedasifhe
hadbeenturnedintoamummy.Theywereverycordiallyreceivedbyhim;they
askedhimafterhishealth,andhetalkedtothemabouthimselfverynaturallyandin
verywellchosenlanguage.Inthecourseoftheirconversationtheyfelltodiscussing
125
whattheycallStatecraftandsystemsofgovernment,correctingthisabuseand
condemningthat,reformingonepracticeandabolishinganother,eachofthethree
settingupforanewlegislator,amodernLycurgus1,orabrandnewSolon2;andso
completelydidtheyremodeltheState,thattheyseemedtohavethrustitintoa
furnaceandtakenoutsomethingquitedifferentfromwhattheyhadputin;andon
allthesubjectstheydealtwith,DonQuixotespokewithsuchgoodsensethatthe
pairofexaminerswerefullyconvincedthathewasquiterecoveredandinhisfull
senses.
Thenieceandhousekeeperwerepresentattheconversationandcouldnotfind
wordsenoughtoexpresstheirthankstoGodatseeingtheirmastersoclearinhis
mind;thecurate,however,changinghisoriginalplan,whichwastoavoidtouching
uponmattersofchivalry,resolvedtotestDonQuixote'srecoverythoroughly,and
seewhetheritweregenuineornot;andso,fromonesubjecttoanother,hecameat
lasttotalkofthenewsthathadcomefromthecapital,and,amongotherthings,he
saiditwasconsideredcertainthattheTurk3wascomingdownwithapowerful
fleet,andthatnooneknewwhathispurposewas,orwhenthegreatstormwould
burst;andthatallChristendomwasinapprehensionofthis,whichalmostevery
yearcallsustoarms,andthathisMajestyhadmadeprovisionforthesecurityofthe
coastsofNaplesandSicilyandtheislandofMalta.
TothisDonQuixotereplied,"HisMajestyhasactedlikeaprudentwarriorin
providingforthesafetyofhisrealmsintime,sothattheenemymaynotfindhim
unprepared;butifmyadviceweretakenIwouldrecommendhimtoadopta
measurewhichatpresent,nodoubt,hisMajestyisveryfarfromthinkingof."
1ASpartanlawgiver.
2Athenianstatesman,lawmakerandpoet.
3TheTurkisharmy.
Themomentthecurateheardthishesaidtohimself,"Godkeeptheeinhishand,
poorDonQuixote,foritseemstomethouartprecipitatingthyselffromtheheightof
thymadnessintotheprofoundabyssofthysimplicity."
Butthebarber,whohadthesamesuspicionasthecurate,askedDonQuixotewhat
wouldbehisadviceastothemeasuresthathesaidoughttobeadopted;forperhaps
itmightprovetobeonethatwouldhavetobeaddedtothelistofthemany
impertinentsuggestionsthatpeoplewereinthehabitofofferingtoprinces.
"Mine,mastershaver,"saidDonQuixote,"willnotbeimpertinent,but,onthe
contrary,pertinent."
"Idon'tmeanthat,"saidthebarber,"butthatexperiencehasshownthatallormost
oftheexpedientswhichareproposedtohisMajestyareeitherimpossible,or
absurd,orinjurioustotheKingandtothekingdom."
"Mine,however,"repliedDonQuixote,"isneitherimpossiblenorabsurd,butthe
easiest,themostreasonable,thereadiestandmostexpeditiousthatcouldsuggest
itselftoanyprojector'smind."
"Youtakealongtimetotellit,SeorDonQuixote,"saidthecurate.
"Idon'tchoosetotellithere,now,"saidDonQuixote,"andhaveitreachtheearsof
thelordsofthecounciltomorrowmorning,andsomeothercarryoffthethanksand
rewardsofmytrouble."
"Formypart,"saidthebarber,"IgivemywordhereandbeforeGodthatIwillnot
repeatwhatyourworshipsays,toKing,RookorearthlymananoathIlearned
fromtheballadofthecurate,who,intheprelude,toldthekingofthethiefwhohad
robbedhimofthehundredgoldcrownsandhispacingmule."
127
"Iamnotversedinstories,"saidDonQuixote;"butIknowtheoathisagoodone,
becauseIknowthebarbertobeanhonestfellow."
"Evenifhewerenot,"saidthecurate,"Iwillgobailandanswerforhimthatinthis
matterhewillbeassilentasadummy,underpainofpayinganypenaltythatmaybe
pronounced."
"Andwhowillbesecurityforyou,seorcurate?"saidDonQuixote.
"Myprofession,"repliedthecurate,"whichistokeepsecrets."
"Odsbody!"saidDonQuixoteatthis,"whatmorehashisMajestytodobutto
command,bypublicproclamation,alltheknightserrantthatarescatteredover
Spaintoassembleonafixeddayinthecapital,forevenifnomorethanhalfadozen
come,theremaybeoneamongthemwhoalonewillsufficetodestroytheentire
mightoftheTurk.Givemeyourattentionandfollowme.Isit,pray,anynewthing
forasingleknighterranttodemolishanarmyoftwohundredthousandmen,asif
theyallhadbutonethroatorweremadeofsugarpaste?Nay,tellme,howmany
historiesaretherefilledwiththesemarvels?Ifonly(inanevilhourforme:Idon't
speakforanyoneelse)thefamousDonBelianiswerealivenow,oranyoneofthe
innumerableprogenyofAmadisofGaul!Ifanythesewerealivetoday,andwereto
comefacetofacewiththeTurk,bymyfaith,IwouldnotgivemuchfortheTurk's
chance.ButGodwillhaveregardforhispeople,andwillprovidesomeone,who,if
notsovaliantastheknightserrantofyore,atleastwillnotbeinferiortothemin
spirit;butGodknowswhatImean,andIsaynomore."
"Alas!"exclaimedthenieceatthis,"mayIdieifmymasterdoesnotwanttoturn
knighterrantagain;"towhichDonQuixotereplied,"AknighterrantIshalldie,and
lettheTurkcomedownorgoupwhenhelikes,andinasstrongforceashecan,
oncemoreIsay,GodknowswhatImean."Butherethebarbersaid,"Iaskyour
worshipstogivemeleavetotellashortstoryofsomethingthathappenedinSeville,
whichcomessopattothepurposejustnowthatIshouldlikegreatlytotellit."Don
Quixotegavehimleave,andtherestpreparedtolisten,andhebeganthus:
"InthemadhouseatSevilletherewasamanwhomhisrelationshadplacedthereas
beingoutofhismind.HewasagraduateofOsuna4incanonlaw;butevenifhehad
beenofSalamanca5,itwastheopinionofmostpeoplethathewouldhavebeenmad
allthesame.Thisgraduate,aftersomeyearsofconfinement,tookitintohishead
thathewassaneandinhisfullsenses,andunderthisimpressionwrotetothe
Archbishop,entreatinghimearnestly,andinverycorrectlanguage,tohavehim
releasedfromthemiseryinwhichhewasliving;forbyGod'smercyhehadnow
recoveredhislostreason,thoughhisrelations,inordertoenjoyhisproperty,kept
himthere,and,inspiteofthetruth,wouldmakehimouttobemaduntilhisdying
day.TheArchbishop,movedbyrepeatedsensible,wellwrittenletters,directedone
ofhischaplainstomakeinquiryofthemadhouseastothetruthofthelicentiate's6
statements,andtohaveaninterviewwiththemadmanhimself,and,ifitshould
appearthathewasinhissenses,totakehimoutandrestorehimtoliberty.The
chaplaindidso,andthegovernorassuredhimthatthemanwasstillmad,andthat
thoughheoftenspokelikeahighlyintelligentperson,hewouldintheendbreakout
intononsensethatinquantityandqualitycounterbalancedallthesensiblethingshe
hadsaidbefore,asmightbeeasilytestedbytalkingtohim.Thechaplainresolvedto
trytheexperiment,andobtainingaccesstothemadmanconversedwithhimforan
hourormore,duringthewholeofwhichtimeheneverutteredawordthatwas
incoherentorabsurd,but,onthecontrary,spokesorationallythatthechaplainwas
compelledtobelievehimtobesane.Amongotherthings,hesaidthegovernorwas
againsthim,nottolosethepresentshisrelationsmadehimforreportinghimstill
madbutwithlucidintervals;andthattheworstfoehehadinhismisfortunewashis
largeproperty;forinordertoenjoyithisenemiesdisparagedandthrewdoubts
uponthemercyourLordhadshownhiminturninghimfromabrutebeastintoa
4TheuniversityofOsuna,locatedinthattown.
5Amoreprestigiousuniversity.
6Alicensedone:i.e.,auniversitygraduate.
129
man.Inshort,hespokeinsuchawaythathecastsuspiciononthegovernor,and
madehisrelationsappearcovetousandheartless,andhimselfsorationalthatthe
chaplaindeterminedtotakehimawaywithhimthattheArchbishopmightseehim,
andascertainforhimselfthetruthofthematter.Yieldingtothisconviction,the
worthychaplainbeggedthegovernortohavetheclothesinwhichthelicentiatehad
enteredthehousegiventohim.Thegovernoragainbadehimbewareofwhathe
wasdoing,asthelicentiatewasbeyondadoubtstillmad;butallhiscautionsand
warningswereunavailingtodissuadethechaplainfromtakinghimaway.The
governor,seeingthatitwastheorderoftheArchbishop,obeyed,andtheydressed
thelicentiateinhisownclothes,whichwerenewanddecent.He,assoonashesaw
himselfclothedlikeoneinhissenses,anddivestedoftheappearanceofamadman,
entreatedthechaplaintopermithimincharitytogoandtakeleaveofhiscomrades
themadmen.Thechaplainsaidhewouldgowithhimtoseewhatmadmenthere
wereinthehouse;sotheywentupstairs,andwiththemsomeofthosewhowere
present.Approachingacageinwhichtherewasafuriousmadman,thoughjustat
thatmomentcalmandquiet,thelicentiatesaidtohim,'Brother,thinkifyouhave
anycommandsforme,forIamgoinghome,asGodhasbeenpleased,inhisinfinite
goodnessandmercy,withoutanymeritofmine,torestorememyreason.Iamnow
curedandinmysenses,forwithGod'spowernothingisimpossible.Havestrong
hopeandtrustinhim,forashehasrestoredmetomyoriginalcondition,solikewise
hewillrestoreyouifyoutrustinhim.Iwilltakecaretosendyousomegoodthings
toeat;andbesureyoueatthem;forIwouldhaveyouknowIamconvinced,asone
whohasgonethroughit,thatallthismadnessofourscomesofhavingthestomach
emptyandthebrainsfullofwind.Takecourage!takecourage!fordespondencyin
misfortunebreaksdownhealthandbringsondeath.'
"Toallthesewordsofthelicentiateanothermadmaninacageoppositethatofthe
furiousonewaslistening;andraisinghimselfupfromanoldmatonwhichhelay
starknaked,heaskedinaloudvoicewhoitwasthatwasgoingawaycuredandin
hissenses.Thelicentiateanswered,'ItisI,brother,whoamgoing;Ihavenowno
needtoremainhereanylonger,forwhichIreturninfinitethankstoHeaventhathas
hadsogreatmercyuponme.'
"'Mindwhatyouaresaying,licentiate;don'tletthedevildeceiveyou,'repliedthe
madman.'Keepquiet,staywhereyouare,andyouwillsaveyourselfthetroubleof
comingback.'
"'IknowIamcured,'returnedthelicentiate,'andthatIshallnothavetogostations
again.'
"'Youcured!'saidthemadman;'well,weshallsee;Godbewithyou;butIswearto
youbyJupiter,whosemajestyIrepresentonearth,thatforthiscrimealone,which
Sevilleiscommittingtodayinreleasingyoufromthishouse,andtreatingyouasif
youwereinyoursenses,Ishallhavetoinflictsuchapunishmentonitaswillbe
rememberedforagesandages,amen.Dostthounotknow,thoumiserablelittle
licentiate,thatIcandoit,being,asIsay,JupitertheThunderer,whoholdinmy
handsthefieryboltswithwhichIamableandamwonttothreatenandlaywaste
theworld?ButinonewayonlywillIpunishthisignoranttown,andthatisbynot
raininguponit,noronanypartofitsdistrictorterritory,forthreewholeyears,to
bereckonedfromthedayandmomentwhenthisthreatispronounced.Thoufree,
thoucured,thouinthysenses!andImad,Idisordered,Ibound!Iwillassoonthink
ofsendingrainasofhangingmyself.
"Thosepresentstoodlisteningtothewordsandexclamationsofthemadman;but
ourlicentiate,turningtothechaplainandseizinghimbythehands,saidtohim,'Be
notuneasy,seor;attachnoimportancetowhatthismadmanhassaid;forifheis
Jupiterandwillnotsendrain,I,whoamNeptune,thefatherandgodofthewaters,
willrainasoftenasitpleasesmeandmaybeneedful.'
"Thegovernorandthebystanderslaughed,andattheirlaughterthechaplainwas
halfashamed,andhereplied,'Forallthat,SeorNeptune,itwillnotdotovexSeor
131
Jupiter;remainwhereyouare,andsomeotherday,whenthereisabetter
opportunityandmoretime,wewillcomebackforyou.'Sotheystrippedthe
licentiate,andhewasleftwherehewas;andthat'stheendofthestory."
"Sothat'sthestory,masterbarber,"saidDonQuixote,"whichcameinsopattothe
purposethatyoucouldnothelptellingit?Mastershaver,mastershaver!howblind
ishewhocannotseethroughasieve.Isitpossiblethatyoudonotknowthat
comparisonsofwitwithwit,valorwithvalor,beautywithbeauty,birthwithbirth,
arealwaysodiousandunwelcome?I,masterbarber,amnotNeptune,thegodofthe
waters,nordoItrytomakeanyonetakemeforanastuteman,forIamnotone.My
onlyendeavoristoconvincetheworldofthemistakeitmakesinnotrevivingin
itselfthehappytimewhentheorderofknighterrantrywasinthefield.Butour
depravedagedoesnotdeservetoenjoysuchablessingasthoseagesenjoyedwhen
knightserranttookupontheirshouldersthedefenseofkingdoms,theprotectionof
damsels,thesuccouroforphansandminors,thechastisementoftheproud,andthe
recompenseofthehumble.Withtheknightsofthesedays,forthemostpart,itisthe
damask,brocade,andrichstuffstheywear,thatrustleastheygo,notthechainmail
oftheirarmor;noknightnowadayssleepsintheopenfieldexposedtothe
inclemencyofheaven,andinfullpanoplyfromheadtofoot;noonenowtakesanap,
astheycallit,withoutdrawinghisfeetoutofthestirrups,andleaninguponhis
lance,astheknightserrantusedtodo;noonenow,issuingfromthewood,
penetratesyondermountains,andthentreadsthebarren,lonelyshoreofthesea
mostlyatempestuousandstormyoneandfindingonthebeachalittlebark
withoutoars,sail,mast,ortacklingofanykind,intheintrepidityofhisheartflings
himselfintoitandcommitshimselftothewrathfulbillowsofthedeepsea,thatone
momentlifthimuptoheavenandthenextplungehimintothedepths;and
opposinghisbreasttotheirresistiblegale,findshimself,whenheleastexpectsit,
threethousandleaguesandmoreawayfromtheplacewhereheembarked;and
leapingashoreinaremoteandunknownlandhasadventuresthatdeservetobe
written,notonparchment,butonbrass.Butnowslothtriumphsoverenergy,
indolenceoverexertion,viceovervirtue,arroganceovercourage,andtheoryover
practiceinarms,whichflourishedandshoneonlyinthegoldenagesandinknights
errant.Fortellme,whowasmorevirtuousandmorevaliantthanthefamous
AmadisofGaul?WhomorediscreetthanPalmerinofEngland?Whomoregracious
andeasythanTiranteelBlanco?WhomorecourtlythanLisuarteofGreece?Who
moreslashedorslashingthanDonBelianis?WhomoreintrepidthanPerionofGaul?
WhomorereadytofacedangerthanFelixmarteofHircania?Whomoresincerethan
Esplandian?WhomoreimpetuousthanDonCirongilioofThrace?Whomorebold
thanRodamonte?WhomoreprudentthanKingSobrino?Whomoredaringthan
Reinaldos?WhomoreinvinciblethanRoland?andwhomoregallantandcourteous
thanRuggiero,fromwhomthedukesofFerraraofthepresentdayaredescended,
accordingtoTurpininhis'Cosmography.'Alltheseknights,andmanymorethatI
couldname,seorcurate,wereknightserrant,thelightandgloryofchivalry.These,
orsuchasthese,Iwouldhavetocarryoutmyplan,andinthatcasehisMajesty
wouldfindhimselfwellservedandwouldsavegreatexpense,andtheTurkwould
belefttearinghisbeard.AndsoIwillstaywhereIam,asthechaplaindoesnottake
meaway;andifJupiter,asthebarberhastoldus,willnotsendrain,hereamI,andI
willrainwhenIplease.IsaythisthatMasterBasin7mayknowthatIunderstand
him."
"Indeed,SeorDonQuixote,"saidthebarber,"Ididnotmeanitinthatway,and,so
helpmeGod,myintentionwasgood,andyourworshipoughtnottobevexed."
"AstowhetherIoughttobevexedornot,"returnedDonQuixote,"Imyselfamthe
bestjudge."
Hereuponthecurateobserved,"Ihavehardlysaidawordasyet;andIwouldgladly
berelievedofadoubt,arisingfromwhatDonQuixotehassaid,thatworriesand
worksmyconscience."
7Thebarber.
133
"Theseorcuratehasleaveformorethanthat,"returnedDonQuixote,"sohemay
declarehisdoubt,foritisnotpleasanttohaveadoubtonone'sconscience."
"Wellthen,withthatpermission,"saidthecurate,"Isaymydoubtisthat,allIcan
do,Icannotpersuademyselfthatthewholepackofknightserrantyou,SeorDon
Quixote,havementioned,werereallyandtrulypersonsoffleshandblood,thatever
livedintheworld;onthecontrary,Isuspectittobeallfiction,fable,andfalsehood,
anddreamstoldbymenawakenedfromsleep,orratherstillhalfasleep."
"Thatisanothermistake,"repliedDonQuixote,"intowhichmanyhavefallenwho
donotbelievethatthereeverweresuchknightsintheworld,andIhaveoften,with
diverspeopleandondiversoccasions,triedtoexposethisalmostuniversalerrorto
thelightoftruth.SometimesIhavenotbeensuccessfulinmypurpose,sometimesI
have,supportingitupontheshouldersofthetruth;whichtruthissoclearthatIcan
almostsayIhavewithmyowneyesseenAmadisofGaul,whowasamanoflofty
stature,faircomplexion,withahandsomethoughblackbeard,ofacountenance
betweengentleandsterninexpression,sparingofwords,slowtoanger,andquick
toputitawayfromhim;andasIhavedepictedAmadis,soIcould,Ithink,portray
anddescribealltheknightserrantthatareinallthehistoriesintheworld;forby
theperceptionIhavethattheywerewhattheirhistoriesdescribe,andbythedeeds
theydidandthedispositionstheydisplayed,itispossible,withtheaidofsound
philosophy,todeducetheirfeatures,complexion,andstature."
"Howbig,inyourworship'sopinion,maythegiantMorgantehavebeen,SeorDon
Quixote?"askedthebarber.
"Withregardtogiants,"repliedDonQuixote,"opinionsdifferastowhetherthere
everwereanyornotintheworld;buttheHolyScripture,whichcannoterrbyajot
fromthetruth,showsusthattherewere,whenitgivesusthehistoryofthatbig
Philistine,Goliath,whowassevencubitsandahalfinheight,whichisahugesize.
Likewise,intheislandofSicily,therehavebeenfoundlegbonesandarmbonesso
largethattheirsizemakesitplainthattheirownersweregiants,andastallasgreat
towers;geometryputsthisfactbeyondadoubt.But,forallthat,Icannotspeakwith
certaintyastothesizeofMorgante,thoughIsuspecthecannothavebeenverytall;
andIaminclinedtobeofthisopinionbecauseIfindinthehistoryinwhichhis
deedsareparticularlymentioned,thathefrequentlysleptunderaroofandashe
foundhousestocontainhim,itisclearthathisbulkcouldnothavebeenanything
excessive."
"Thatistrue,"saidthecurate,andyieldingtotheenjoymentofhearingsuch
nonsense,heaskedhimwhatwashisnotionofthefeaturesofReinaldosof
Montalban,andDonRolandandtherestoftheTwelvePeersofFrance,forthey
wereallknightserrant.
"AsforReinaldos,"repliedDonQuixote,"Iventuretosaythathewasbroadfaced,of
ruddycomplexion,withroguishandsomewhatprominenteyes,excessively
punctiliousandtouchy,andgiventothesocietyofthievesandscapegraces.With
regardtoRoland,orRotolando,orOrlando(forthehistoriescallhimbyallthese
names),Iamofopinion,andhold,thathewasofmiddleheight,broadshouldered,
ratherbowlegged,swarthycomplexioned,redbearded,withahairybodyanda
severeexpressionofcountenance,amanoffewwords,butverypoliteandwell
bred."
"IfRolandwasnotamoregracefulpersonthanyourworshiphasdescribed,"said
thecurate,"itisnowonderthatthefairLadyAngelicarejectedhimandlefthimfor
thegaiety,liveliness,andgraceofthatbuddingbeardedlittleMoortowhomshe
surrenderedherself;andsheshowedhersenseinfallinginlovewiththegentle
softnessofMedororatherthantheroughnessofRoland."
"ThatAngelica,seorcurate,"returnedDonQuixote,"wasagiddydamsel,flighty
andsomewhatwanton,andshelefttheworldasfullofhervagariesasofthefameof
herbeauty.Shetreatedwithscornathousandgentlemen,menofvalourand
135
wisdom,andtookupwithasmoothfacedsprigofapage,withoutfortuneorfame,
exceptsuchreputationforgratitudeastheaffectionheborehisfriendgotforhim.
Thegreatpoetwhosangherbeauty,thefamousAriosto,notcaringtosingher
adventuresafterhercontemptiblesurrender(whichprobablywerenotoverand
abovecreditable),droppedherwherehesays:
HowshereceivedthescepterofCathay,
Somebardofdefterquillmaysingsomeday;
andthiswasnodoubtakindofprophecy,forpoetsarealsocalledvates,thatisto
saydiviners;anditstruthwasmadeplain;forsincethenafamousAndalusianpoet
haslamentedandsunghertears,andanotherfamousandrarepoet,aCastilian,has
sungherbeauty."
"Tellme,SeorDonQuixote,"saidthebarberhere,"amongallthosewhopraised
her,hastherebeennopoettowriteasatireonthisLadyAngelica?"
"Icanwellbelieve,"repliedDonQuixote,"thatifSacripanteorRolandhadbeen
poetstheywouldhavegiventhedamselatrimming;foritisnaturallythewaywith
poetswhohavebeenscornedandrejectedbytheirladies,whetherfictitiousornot,
inshortbythosewhomtheyselectastheladiesoftheirthoughts,toavenge
themselvesinsatiresandlibelsavengeance,tobesure,unworthyofgenerous
hearts;butuptothepresentIhavenotheardofanydefamatoryverseagainstthe
LadyAngelica,whoturnedtheworldupsidedown."
"Strange,"saidthecurate;butatthismomenttheyheardthehousekeeperandthe
niece,whohadpreviouslywithdrawnfromtheconversation,exclaimingaloudin
thecourtyard,andatthenoisetheyallranout.
136
CHAPTERII
WHICHTREATSOFTHENOTABLEALTERCATIONWHICHSANCHOPANZAHAD
WITHDONQUIXOTE'SNIECE,ANDHOUSEKEEPER,TOGETHERWITHOTHER
DROLLMATTERS
ThehistoryrelatesthattheoutcryDonQuixote,thecurate,andthebarberheard
camefromthenieceandthehousekeeperexclaimingtoSancho,whowasstrivingto
forcehiswayintoseeDonQuixotewhiletheyheldthedooragainsthim,"What
doesthevagabondwantinthishouse?Beofftoyourown,brother,foritisyou,and
nooneelse,thatdeludemymaster,andleadhimastray,andtakehimtramping
aboutthecountry."
TowhichSanchoreplied,"Devil'sownhousekeeper!itisIwhoamdeluded,andled
astray,andtakentrampingaboutthecountry,andnotthymaster!Hehascarried
meallovertheworld,andyouaremightilymistaken.Heenticedmeawayfrom
homebyatrick,promisingmeanisland,whichIamstillwaitingfor."
"Mayevilislandschokethee,thoudetestableSancho,"saidtheniece;"Whatare
islands?Isitsomethingtoeat,gluttonandgormandiserthatthouart?"
"Itisnotsomethingtoeat,"repliedSancho,"butsomethingtogovernandrule,and
betterthanfourcitiesorfourjudgeshipsatcourt."
"Forallthat,"saidthehousekeeper,"youdon'tenterhere,youbagofmischiefand
sackofknavery;gogovernyourhouseanddigyourseedpatch,andgiveover
lookingforislandsorshylands."
Thecurateandthebarberlistenedwithgreatamusementtothewordsofthethree;
butDonQuixote,uneasylestSanchoshouldblabandblurtoutawholeheapof
mischievousstupidities,andtouchuponpointsthatmightnotbealtogethertohis
137
credit,calledtohimandmadetheothertwoholdtheirtonguesandlethimcomein.
Sanchoentered,andthecurateandthebarbertooktheirleaveofDonQuixote,of
whoserecoverytheydespairedwhentheysawhowweddedhewastohiscrazy
ideas,andhowsaturatedwiththenonsenseofhisunluckychivalry;andsaidthe
curatetothebarber,"Youwillsee,gossip,thatwhenweareleastthinkingofit,our
gentlemanwillbeoffoncemoreforanotherflight."
"Ihavenodoubtofit,"returnedthebarber;"butIdonotwondersomuchatthe
madnessoftheknightasatthesimplicityofthesquire,whohassuchafirmbeliefin
allthatabouttheisland,thatIsupposealltheexposuresthatcouldbeimagined
wouldnotgetitoutofhishead."
"Godhelpthem,"saidthecurate;"andletusbeonthelookouttoseewhatcomesof
alltheseabsurditiesoftheknightandsquire,foritseemsasiftheyhadbothbeen
castinthesamemould,andthemadnessofthemasterwithoutthesimplicityofthe
manwouldnotbeworthafarthing."
"Thatistrue,"saidthebarber,"andIshouldlikeverymuchtoknowwhatthepair
aretalkingaboutatthismoment."
"Ipromiseyou,"saidthecurate,"thenieceorthehousekeeperwilltellusbyandby,
fortheyarenottheonestoforgettolisten."
MeanwhileDonQuixoteshuthimselfupinhisroomwithSancho,andwhenthey
werealonehesaidtohim,"Itgrievesmegreatly,Sancho,thatthoushouldsthave
said,andsayest,thatItooktheeoutofthycottage,whenthouknowestIdidnot
remaininmyhouse.Wesalliedforthtogether,wetooktheroadtogether,we
wanderedabroadtogether;wehavehadthesamefortuneandthesameluck;ifthey
blanketedtheeonce,theybelaboredmeahundredtimes,andthatistheonly
advantageIhaveofthee."
"Thatwasonlyreasonable,"repliedSancho,"for,bywhatyourworshipsays,
misfortunesbelongmoreproperlytoknightserrantthantotheirsquires."
"Thouartmistaken,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"accordingtothemaximquando
caputdolet,etc."8
"Idon'tunderstandanylanguagebutmyown,"saidSancho.
"Imeantosay,"saidDonQuixote,"thatwhentheheadsuffersallthemembers
suffer;andso,beingthylordandmaster,Iamthyhead,andthouapartofmeas
thouartmyservant;andthereforeanyevilthataffectsorshallaffectmeshouldgive
theepain,andwhataffectstheegivepaintome."
"Itshouldbeso,"saidSancho;"butwhenIwasblanketedasamember,myheadwas
ontheothersideofthewall,lookingonwhileIwasflyingthroughtheair,anddid
notfeelanypainwhatever;andifthemembersareobligedtofeelthesufferingof
thehead,itshouldbeobligedtofeeltheirsufferings."
"Dostthoumeantosaynow,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"thatIdidnotfeelwhen
theywereblanketingthee?Ifthoudost,thoumustnotsaysoorthinkso,forIfelt
morepaintheninspiritthanthoudidstinbody.Butletusputthatasideforthe
present,forweshallhaveopportunitiesenoughforconsideringandsettlingthe
point;tellme,Sanchomyfriend,whatdotheysayaboutmeinthevillagehere?
Whatdothecommonpeoplethinkofme?Whatdothehidalgos?Whatdothe
caballeros?Whatdotheysayofmyvalor;ofmyachievements;ofmycourtesy?How
dotheytreatthetaskIhaveundertakeninrevivingandrestoringtotheworldthe
nowforgottenorderofchivalry?Inshort,Sancho,Iwouldhavetheetellmeallthat
hascometothineearsonthissubject;andthouarttotellme,withoutadding
anythingtothegoodortakingawayanythingfromthebad;foritisthedutyofloyal
8Whentheheadaches,thesayinggoes,thebodylanguishes.
139
vassalstotellthetruthtotheirlordsjustasitisandinitspropershape,not
allowingflatterytoaddtoitoranyidledeferencetolessenit.AndIwouldhavethee
know,Sancho,thatifthenakedtruth,undisguisedbyflattery,cametotheearsof
princes,timeswouldbedifferent,andotherageswouldbereckonedironagesmore
thanours,whichIholdtobethegoldenoftheselatterdays.Profitbythisadvice,
Sancho,andreporttomeclearlyandfaithfullythetruthofwhatthouknowest
touchingwhatIhavedemandedofthee."
"ThatIwilldowithallmyheart,master,"repliedSancho,"providedyourworship
willnotbevexedatwhatIsay,asyouwishmetosayitoutinallitsnakedness,
withoutputtinganymoreclothesonitthanitcametomyknowledgein."
"Iwillnotbevexedatall,"returnedDonQuixote;"thoumayestspeakfreely,Sancho,
andwithoutanybeatingaboutthebush."
"Wellthen,"saidhe,"firstofall,Ihavetotellyouthatthecommonpeopleconsider
yourworshipamightygreatmadman,andmenolessafool.Thehidalgossaythat,
notkeepingwithintheboundsofyourqualityofgentleman,youhaveassumedthe
'Don,'andmadeaknightofyourselfatajump,withfourvinestocksandacoupleof
acresofland,andneverashirttoyourback.Thecaballerossaytheydonotwantto
havehidalgossettingupinoppositiontothem,particularlysquirehidalgoswho
polishtheirownshoesanddarntheirblackstockingswithgreensilk."
"That,"saidDonQuixote,"doesnotapplytome,forIalwaysgowelldressedand
neverpatched;raggedImaybe,butraggedmorefromthewearandtearofarms
thanoftime."
"Astoyourworship'svalor,courtesy,accomplishments,andtask,thereisavariety
ofopinions.Somesay,'madbutdroll;'others,'valiantbutunlucky;'others,
'courteousbutmeddling,'andthentheygointosuchanumberofthingsthatthey
don'tleaveawholeboneeitherinyourworshiporinmyself."
140
"Recollect,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"thatwherevervirtueexistsinaneminent
degreeitispersecuted.Fewornoneofthefamousmenthathavelivedescaped
beingcalumniatedbymalice.JuliusCaesar,theboldest,wisest,andbravestof
captains,waschargedwithbeingambitious,andnotparticularlycleanlyinhis
dress,orpureinhismorals.OfAlexander,whosedeedswonhimthenameofGreat,
theysaythathewassomewhatofadrunkard.OfHercules,himofthemanylabors,it
issaidthathewaslewdandluxurious.OfDonGalaor,thebrotherofAmadisofGaul,
itwaswhisperedthathewasoverquarrelsome,andofhisbrotherthathewas
lachrymose.Sothat,Sancho,amongstallthesecalumniesagainstgoodmen,mine
maybeletpass,sincetheyarenomorethanthouhastsaid."
"That'sjustwhereitis,bodyofmyfather!"
"Istheremore,then?"askedDonQuixote.
"There'sthetailtobeskinnedyet,"saidSancho;"allsofariscakesandfancybread;
butifyourworshipwantstoknowallaboutthecalumniestheybringagainstyou,I
willfetchyouonethisinstantwhocantellyouthewholeofthemwithoutmissing
anatom;forlastnightthesonofBartholomewCarrasco,whohasbeenstudyingat
Salamanca,camehomeafterhavingbeenmadeabachelor9,andwhenIwentto
welcomehim,hetoldmethatyourworship'shistoryisalreadyabroadinbooks,
withthetitleoftheIngeniousGentlemanDonQuixoteofLaMancha;andhesaysthey
mentionmeinitbymyownnameofSanchoPanza,andtheladyDulcineadel
Tobosotoo,anddiversthingsthathappenedtouswhenwewerealone;sothatI
crossedmyselfinmywonderhowthehistorianwhowrotethemdowncouldhave
knownthem."
9HavingbeengrantedaBachelorsdegree.
141
"Ipromisethee,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"theauthorofourhistorywillbesome
sageenchanter;fortosuch,nothingthattheychoosetowriteaboutishidden."
"What!"saidSancho,"asageandanenchanter!Why,thebachelorSansonCarrasco
(thatisthenameofhimIspokeof)saystheauthorofthehistoryiscalledCide
HameteBerengena."
"ThatisaMoorishname,"saidDonQuixote.
"Maybeso,"repliedSancho;"forIhaveheardsaythattheMoorsaremostlygreat
loversofberengenas."10
"Thoumusthavemistakenthesurnameofthis'Cide'whichmeansinArabic'Lord'
Sancho,"observedDonQuixote.
"Verylikely,"repliedSancho,"butifyourworshipwishesmetofetchthebachelorI
willgoforhiminatwinkling."
"Thouwiltdomeagreatpleasure,myfriend,"saidDonQuixote,"forwhatthouhast
toldmehasamazedme,andIshallnoteatamorselthatwillagreewithmeuntilI
haveheardallaboutit."
"ThenIamoffforhim,"saidSancho;andleavinghismasterhewentinquestofthe
bachelor,withwhomhereturnedinashorttime,and,allthreetogether,theyhada
verydrollcolloquy.
10Anothernameforeggplant.
142
CHAPTERIII
OFTHELAUGHABLECONVERSATIONTHATPASSEDBETWEENDONQUIXOTE,
SANCHOPANZA,ANDTHEBACHELORSANSONCARRASCO
DonQuixoteremainedverydeepinthought,waitingforthebachelorCarrasco,from
whomhewastohearhowhehimselfhadbeenputintoabookasSanchosaid;and
hecouldnotpersuadehimselfthatanysuchhistorycouldbeinexistence,forthe
bloodoftheenemieshehadslainwasnotyetdryonthebladeofhissword,and
nowtheywantedtomakeoutthathismightyachievementsweregoingaboutin
print.Forallthat,hefanciedsomesage,eitherafriendoranenemy,might,bythe
aidofmagic,havegiventhemtothepress;ifafriend,inordertomagnifyandexalt
themabovethemostfamouseverachievedbyanyknighterrant;ifanenemy,to
bringthemtonaughtanddegradethembelowthemeanesteverrecordedofany
lowsquire,thoughashesaidtohimself,theachievementsofsquiresneverwere
recorded.If,however,itwerethefactthatsuchahistorywereinexistence,itmust
necessarily,beingthestoryofaknighterrant,begrandiloquent,lofty,imposing,
grandandtrue.Withthishecomfortedhimselfsomewhat,thoughitmadehim
uncomfortabletothinkthattheauthorwasaMoor,judgingbythetitleof"Cide;"
andthatnotruthwastobelookedforfromMoors,astheyareallimpostors,cheats,
andschemers.Hewasafraidhemighthavedealtwithhisloveaffairsinsome
indecorousfashion,thatmighttendtothediscreditandprejudiceofthepurityofhis
ladyDulcineadelToboso;hewouldhavehadhimsetforththefidelityandrespect
hehadalwaysobservedtowardsher,spurningqueens,empresses,anddamselsof
allsorts,andkeepinginchecktheimpetuosityofhisnaturalimpulses.Absorbedand
wrappedupintheseanddiversothercogitations,hewasfoundbySanchoand
Carrasco,whomDonQuixotereceivedwithgreatcourtesy.
Thebachelor,thoughhewascalledSanson,wasofnogreatbodilysize,buthewasa
verygreatwag;hewasofasallowcomplexion,butverysharpwitted,somewhere
aboutfourandtwentyyearsofage,witharoundface,aflatnose,andalargemouth,
143
allindicationsofamischievousdispositionandaloveoffunandjokes;andofthishe
gaveasampleassoonashesawDonQuixote,byfallingonhiskneesbeforehimand
saying,"Letmekissyourmightiness'shand,SeorDonQuixoteofLaMancha,for,by
thehabitofSt.PeterthatIwear11,thoughIhavenomorethanthefirstfourorders,
yourworshipisoneofthemostfamousknightserrantthathaveeverbeen,orwill
be,alltheworldover.AblessingonCideHameteBenengeli,whohaswrittenthe
historyofyourgreatdeeds,andadoubleblessingonthatconnoisseurwhotookthe
troubleofhavingittranslatedoutoftheArabicintoourCastilianvulgartonguefor
theuniversalentertainmentofthepeople!"
DonQuixotemadehimrise,andsaid,"So,then,itistruethatthereisahistoryofme,
andthatitwasaMoorandasagewhowroteit?"
"Sotrueisit,seor,"saidSanson,"thatmybeliefistherearemorethantwelve
thousandvolumesofthesaidhistoryinprintthisveryday.OnlyaskPortugal,
Barcelona,andValencia,wheretheyhavebeenprinted,andmoreoverthereisa
reportthatitisbeingprintedatAntwerp,andIampersuadedtherewillnotbea
countryorlanguageinwhichtherewillnotbeatranslationofit."
"Oneofthethings,"hereobservedDonQuixote,"thatoughttogivemostpleasureto
avirtuousandeminentmanistofindhimselfinhislifetimeinprintandintype,
familiarinpeople'smouthswithagoodname;Isaywithagoodname,forifitbethe
opposite,thenthereisnodeathtobecomparedtoit."
"Ifitgoesbygoodnameandfame,"saidthebachelor,"yourworshipalonebears
awaythepalmfromalltheknightserrant;fortheMoorinhisownlanguage,andthe
Christianinhis,havetakencaretosetbeforeusyourgallantry,yourhighcouragein
encounteringdangers,yourfortitudeinadversity,yourpatienceundermisfortunes
11Thedressofoneoftheminorclericalorders.
aswellaswounds,thepurityandcontinenceoftheplatoniclovesofyourworship
andmyladyDoaDulcineadelToboso"
"IneverheardmyladyDulcineacalledDoa,"observedSanchohere;"nothingmore
thantheladyDulcineadelToboso;soherealreadythehistoryiswrong."
"Thatisnotanobjectionofanyimportance,"repliedCarrasco.
"Certainlynot,"saidDonQuixote;"buttellme,seorbachelor,whatdeedsofmine
aretheythataremademostofinthishistory?"
"Onthatpoint,"repliedthebachelor,"opinionsdiffer,astastesdo;someswearby
theadventureofthewindmillsthatyourworshiptooktobeBriareusesandgiants;
othersbythatofthefullingmills;onecriesupthedescriptionofthetwoarmiesthat
afterwardstooktheappearanceoftwodrovesofsheep;anotherthatofthedead
bodyonitswaytobeburiedatSegovia;athirdsaystheliberationofthegalley
slavesisthebestofall,andafourththatnothingcomesuptotheaffairwiththe
Benedictinegiants,andthebattlewiththevaliantBiscayan."
"Tellme,seorbachelor,"saidSanchoatthispoint,"doestheadventurewiththe
Yanguesanscomein,whenourgoodRocinantewenthankeringafterdainties?"12
"Thesagehasleftnothingintheinkbottle,"repliedSanson;"hetellsallandsets
downeverything,eventothecapersthatworthySanchocutintheblanket."13
12YanguesansinhabitantsofthesmalltownofYanguas,intheprovinceofSoria;
theywerepasturingaherdofmaresthatcaughttheeyeofRosinante;whenhetried
toapproachthemwithamorousintent,theYanguensansbeat,himfirst,andthen
QuixoteandSanchowhentheytriedtocometohisrescue.
13SanchoandQuixotestayedthenightataninn,whichQuixote,ofcourse,tookfora
castle.Thefollowingmorning,theinnkeeperdemandedpayment,explainingthat
thiswas,infact,aninn.Quixote,citingchivalrictradition,refusedtopayandrode
off,leavingSanchoatthemercyoffourSegovianwoolcarders,who,aspunishment
andamusement,tossedhiminablanket,whileQuixote,nowunabletorescuehim,
145
"Icutnocapersintheblanket,"returnedSancho;"intheairIdid,andmoreofthem
thanIliked."
"Thereisnohumanhistoryintheworld,Isuppose,"saidDonQuixote,"thathasnot
itsupsanddowns,butmorethanotherssuchasdealwithchivalry,fortheycan
neverbeentirelymadeupofprosperousadventures."
"Forallthat,"repliedthebachelor,"therearethosewhohavereadthehistorywho
saytheywouldhavebeengladiftheauthorhadleftoutsomeofthecountless
cudgellingsthatwereinflictedonSeorDonQuixoteinvariousencounters."
"That'swherethetruthofthehistorycomesin,"saidSancho.
"Atthesametimetheymightfairlyhavepassedthemoverinsilence,"observedDon
Quixote;"forthereisnoneedofrecordingeventswhichdonotchangeoraffectthe
truthofahistory,iftheytendtobringtheheroofitintocontempt.Aeneaswasnot
intruthandearnestsopiousasVirgilrepresentshim,norUlyssessowiseasHomer
describeshim."
"Thatistrue,"saidSanson;"butitisonethingtowriteasapoet,anothertowriteas
ahistorian;thepoetmaydescribeorsingthings,notastheywere,butastheyought
tohavebeen;butthehistorianhastowritethemdown,notastheyoughttohave
been,butastheywere,withoutaddinganythingtothetruthortakinganythingfrom
it."
"Wellthen,"saidSancho,"ifthisseorMoorgoesinfortellingthetruth,nodoubt
amongmymaster'sdrubbingsminearetobefound;fortheynevertookthe
measureofhisworship'sshoulderswithoutdoingthesameformywholebody;but
wasleftwithnorecoursebuttoyellmalidictionsandobdurationsatthemuntil
theyfinallyletSanchogo.
Ihavenorighttowonderatthat,for,asmymasterhimselfsays,themembersmust
sharethepainofthehead."
"Youareaslydog,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote;"i'faith,youhavenowantofmemory
whenyouchoosetoremember."
"IfIweretotrytoforgetthethwackstheygaveme,"saidSancho,"myweltswould
notletme,fortheyarestillfreshonmyribs."
"Hush,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"anddon'tinterruptthebachelor,whomIentreat
togoonandtellallthatissaidaboutmeinthishistory."
"Andaboutme,"saidSancho,"fortheysay,too,thatIamoneoftheprincipal
presonagesinit."
"Personages,notpresonages,friendSancho,"saidSanson.
"What!Anotherwordcatcher!"saidSancho;"ifthat'stobethewayweshallnot
makeanendinalifetime."
"MayGodshortenmine,Sancho,"returnedthebachelor,"ifyouarenotthesecond
personinthehistory,andthereareevensomewhowouldratherhearyoutalkthan
thecleverestinthewholebook;thoughtherearesome,too,whosayyoushowed
yourselfovercredulousinbelievingtherewasanypossibilityinthegovernmentof
thatislandofferedyoubySeorDonQuixote."
"Thereisstillsunshineonthewall,"saidDonQuixote;"andwhenSanchois
somewhatmoreadvancedinlife,withtheexperiencethatyearsbring,hewillbe
fitterandbetterqualifiedforbeingagovernorthanheisatpresent."
147
"ByGod,master,"saidSancho,"theislandthatIcannotgovernwiththeyearsIhave,
I'llnotbeabletogovernwiththeyearsofMethuselah;thedifficultyisthatthesaid
islandkeepsitsdistancesomewhere,Iknownotwhere;andnotthatthereisany
wantofheadinmetogovernit."
"LeaveittoGod,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"forallwillbeandperhapsbetterthan
youthink;noleafonthetreestirsbutbyGod'swill."
"Thatistrue,"saidSanson;"andifitbeGod'swill,therewillnotbeanywantofa
thousandislands,muchlessone,forSanchotogovern."
"Ihaveseengovernorsintheseparts,"saidSancho,"thatarenottobecomparedto
myshoesole;andforallthattheyarecalled'yourlordship'andservedonsilver."
"Thosearenotgovernorsofislands,"observedSanson,"butofothergovernmentsof
aneasierkind:thosethatgovernislandsmustatleastknowgrammar."
"Icouldmanagethegramwellenough,"saidSancho;"butforthemarIhaveneither
leaningnorliking,forIdon'tknowwhatitis;butleavingthismatterofthe
governmentinGod'shands,tosendmewhereveritmaybemosttohisservice,I
maytellyou,seorbachelorSansonCarrasco,ithaspleasedmebeyondmeasure
thattheauthorofthishistoryshouldhavespokenofmeinsuchawaythatwhatis
saidofmegivesnooffence;for,onthefaithofatruesquire,ifhehadsaidanything
aboutmethatwasatallunbecominganoldChristian,suchasIam,thedeafwould
haveheardofit."
"Thatwouldbeworkingmiracles,"saidSanson.
"Miraclesornomiracles,"saidSancho,"leteveryonemindhowhespeaksorwrites
aboutpeople,andnotsetdownatrandomthefirstthingthatcomesintohishead."
"Oneofthefaultstheyfindwiththishistory,"saidthebachelor,"isthatitsauthor
insertedinitanovelcalled'TheIlladvisedCuriosity;'14notthatitisbadorilltold,
butthatitisoutofplaceandhasnothingtodowiththehistoryofhisworshipSeor
DonQuixote."
"Iwillbetthesonofadoghasmixedthecabbagesandthebaskets,"15saidSancho.
"Then,Isay,"saidDonQuixote,"theauthorofmyhistorywasnosage,butsome
ignorantchatterer,who,inahaphazardandheedlessway,setaboutwritingit,letit
turnoutasitmight,justasOrbaneja,16thepainterofUbeda,usedtodo,who,when
theyaskedhimwhathewaspainting,answered,'Whatitmayturnout.'Sometimes
hewouldpaintacockinsuchafashion,andsounlike,thathehadtowritealongside
ofitinGothicletters,'Thisisacock;andsoitwillbewithmyhistory,whichwill
requireacommentarytomakeitintelligible."
"Nofearofthat,"returnedSanson,"foritissoplainthatthereisnothinginitto
puzzleover;thechildrenturnitsleaves,theyoungpeoplereadit,thegrownmen
understandit,theoldfolkpraiseit;inaword,itissothumbed,andread,andgotby
heartbypeopleofallsorts,thattheinstanttheyseeanyleanhack,theysay,'There
goesRocinante.'Andthosethataremostgiventoreadingitarethepages,forthere
isnotalord'santechamberwherethereisnota'DonQuixote'tobefound;one
takesitupifanotherlaysitdown;thisonepouncesuponit,andthatbegsforit.In
short,thesaidhistoryisthemostdelightfulandleastinjuriousentertainmentthat
hasbeenhithertoseen,forthereisnottobefoundinthewholeofiteventhe
semblanceofanimmodestword,orathoughtthatisotherthanCatholic."
14Thisstory,atragictaleofajealoushusband,occupiesseveralchaptersofPartI.
HereCervantesechoescriticismcurrentlyaimedathisbook.
15Jumbledtogetherthingsofdifferentkinds.
16ThispainterisunknownexceptforthisallusioninDonQuixote.
149
"Towriteinanyotherway,"saidDonQuixote,"wouldnotbetowritetruth,but
falsehood,andhistorianswhohaverecoursetofalsehoodoughttobeburned,like
thosewhocoinfalsemoney;andIknownotwhatcouldhaveledtheauthortohave
recoursetonovelsandirrelevantstories,whenhehadsomuchtowriteaboutin
mine;nodoubthemusthavegonebytheproverb'withstraworwithhay,17etc,'for
bymerelysettingforthmythoughts,mysighs,mytears,myloftypurposes,my
enterprises,hemighthavemadeavolumeaslarge,orlargerthanalltheworksofEl
Tostadowouldmakeup.Infact,theconclusionIarriveat,seorbachelor,is,thatto
writehistories,orbooksofanykind,thereisneedofgreatjudgmentandaripe
understanding.Togiveexpressiontohumor,andwriteinastrainofgraceful
pleasantry,isthegiftofgreatgeniuses.Thecleverestcharacterincomedyisthe
clown,forhewhowouldmakepeopletakehimforafool,mustnotbeone.Historyis
inameasureasacredthing,foritshouldbetrue,andwherethetruthis,thereGod
is;butnotwithstandingthis,therearesomewhowriteandflingbooksbroadcaston
theworldasiftheywerefritters."
"Thereisnobooksobadbutithassomethinggoodinit,"saidthebachelor.
"Nodoubtofthat,"repliedDonQuixote;"butitoftenhappensthatthosewhohave
acquiredandattainedawelldeservedreputationbytheirwritings,loseitentirely,
ordamageitinsomedegree,whentheygivethemtothepress."
"Thereasonofthat,"saidSanson,"is,thatasprintedworksareexaminedleisurely,
theirfaultsareeasilyseen;andthegreaterthefameofthewriter,themoreclosely
aretheyscrutinized.Menfamousfortheirgenius,greatpoets,illustrioushistorians,
arealways,ormostcommonly,enviedbythosewhotakeaparticulardelightand
pleasureincriticizingthewritingsofothers,withouthavingproducedanyoftheir
own."
17Theproverbconcludes:themattressisfilled.
"Thatisnowonder,"saidDonQuixote;"fortherearemanydivineswhoarenogood
forthepulpit,butexcellentindetectingthedefectsorexcessesofthosewho
preach."
"Allthatistrue,SeorDonQuixote,"saidCarrasco;"butIwishsuchfaultfinders
weremorelenientandlessexacting,anddidnotpaysomuchattentiontothespots
onthebrightsunoftheworktheygrumbleat;forifaliquandobonusdormitat
Homerus,18theyshouldrememberhowlongheremainedawaketoshedthelightof
hisworkwithaslittleshadeaspossible;andperhapsitmaybethatwhattheyfind
faultwithmaybemoles,thatsometimesheightenthebeautyofthefacethatbears
them;andsoIsayverygreatistherisktowhichhewhoprintsabookexposes
himself,forofallimpossibilitiesthegreatestistowriteonethatwillsatisfyand
pleaseallreaders."
"Thatwhichtreatsofmemusthavepleasedfew,"saidDonQuixote.
"Quitethecontrary,"saidthebachelor;"for,asstultoruminfinitumestnumerus,19
innumerablearethosewhohaverelishedthesaidhistory;butsomehavebroughta
chargeagainsttheauthor'smemory,inasmuchasheforgottosaywhothethiefwas
whostoleSancho'sDapple;foritisnotstatedthere,butonlytobeinferredfrom
whatissetdown,thathewasstolen,andalittlefartheronweseeSanchomounted
onthesameass,withoutanyreappearanceofit.Theysay,too,thatheforgottostate
whatSanchodidwiththosehundredcrownsthathefoundinthevaliseintheSierra
Morena,asheneveralludestothemagain,andtherearemanywhowouldbegladto
knowwhathedidwiththem,orwhathespentthemon,foritisoneoftheserious
omissionsofthework."
"SeorSanson,Iamnotinahumornowforgoingintoaccountsorexplanations,"
saidSancho;"forthere'sasinkingofthestomachcomeoverme,andunlessIdoctor
18EvengoodHomersometimesnodsoff.
19Infiniteisthenumberoffools.(Ecclesiastes1:15)
151
20
itwithacoupleofsupsoftheoldstuff,itwillputmeonthethornofSantaLucia. I
haveitathome,andmyoldwomaniswaitingforme;afterdinnerI'llcomeback,
andwillansweryouandalltheworldeveryquestionyoumaychoosetoask,aswell
aboutthelossoftheassasaboutthespendingofthehundredcrowns;"andwithout
anotherwordorwaitingforareplyhemadeoffhome.
DonQuixotebeggedandentreatedthebachelortostayanddopenancewithhim.
Thebacheloracceptedtheinvitationandremained,acoupleofyoungpigeonswere
addedtotheordinaryfare,atdinnertheytalkedchivalry,Carrascofellinwithhis
host'shumor,thebanquetcametoanend,theytooktheirafternoonsleep,Sancho
returned,andtheirconversationwasresumed.
20Itwillmakemeweakandexhausted.
152
CHAPTERXII
OFTHESTRANGEADVENTUREWHICHBEFELLTHEVALIANTDONQUIXOTE
WITHTHEBOLDKNIGHTOFTHEMIRRORS21
ThenightsucceedingthedayoftheencounterwithDeath,DonQuixoteandhis
squirepassedundersometallshadytrees22,andDonQuixoteatSancho's
persuasionatealittlefromthestorecarriedbytheDapple,andovertheirsupper
Sanchosaidtohismaster,"Seor,whatafoolIshouldhavelookedifIhadchosen
formyrewardthespoilsofthefirstadventureyourworshipachieved,insteadofthe
foalsofthethreemares.Afterall,'asparrowinthehandisbetterthanavultureon
thewing.'"23
"Atthesametime,Sancho,"repliedDonQuixote,"ifthouhadstletmeattackthemas
Iwanted,attheveryleasttheemperor'sgoldcrownandCupid'spaintedwings
wouldhavefallentotheeasspoils,forIshouldhavetakenthembyforceandgiven
themintothyhands."24
"Thesceptersandcrownsofthoseplayactoremperors,"saidSancho,"werenever
yetpuregold,butonlybrassfoilortin."
21HewillearnthistitleinChapter15;meanwhileheisreferredtoastheKnightof
theWood.
22QuixoteandSanchoarenotinthewoodedareaaroundElToboso,whereDulcinea
lives.Sanchowassenttolookforherandhassavedthedaybypretendingtosee
thebeautifuldamselinavillagewench.Butbyhisimaginativeliehehastriggered
Quixotesbeliefsinmagicspellsandenemysorcerers,who,enviousofhim,have
hiddenhisladysbeautyonlyfromhim.Whilestillreelingfromthisinsight,the
twothenmetagroupofitinerantplayersdressedincostumesforareligiousplay,
TheParliamentofDeath.
23ArewardforbringingQuixotenewsofDulcinea;theproverbcorresponds,more
orless,toabirdinthehandisworthtwointhebush.
24TheemperorandCupidwereamongthecharactersinTheParliamentofDeath.
153
"Thatistrue,"saidDonQuixote,"foritwouldnotberightthattheaccessoriesofthe
dramashouldbereal,insteadofbeingmerefictionsandsemblances,likethedrama
itself;towardswhich,Sanchoand,asanecessaryconsequence,towardsthosewho
representandproduceitIwouldthatthouwertfavorablydisposed,fortheyare
allinstrumentsofgreatgoodtotheState,placingbeforeusateverystepamirrorin
whichwemayseevividlydisplayedwhatgoesoninhumanlife;noristhereany
similitudethatshowsusmorefaithfullywhatweareandoughttobethantheplay
andtheplayers.Come,tellme,hastthounotseenaplayactedinwhichkings,
emperors,pontiffs,knights,ladies,anddiversotherpersonageswereintroduced?
Oneplaysthevillain,anothertheknave,thisonethemerchant,thatthesoldier,one
thesharpwittedfool,anotherthefoolishlover;andwhentheplayisover,andthey
haveputoffthecostumestheyworeinit,alltheactorsbecomeequal."
"Yes,Ihaveseenthat,"saidSancho.
"Wellthen,"saidDonQuixote,"thesamethinghappensinthecomedyandlifeof
thisworld,wheresomeplayemperors,otherspopes,and,inshort,allthecharacters
thatcanbebroughtintoaplay;butwhenitisover,thatistosaywhenlifeends,
deathstripsthemallofthegarmentsthatdistinguishonefromtheother,andallare
equalinthegrave."
"Afinecomparison!"saidSancho;"thoughnotsonewbutthatIhavehearditmany
andmanyatime,aswellasthatotheroneofthegameofchess;how,solongasthe
gamelasts,eachpiecehasitsownparticularoffice,andwhenthegameisfinished
theyareallmixed,jumbledupandshakentogether,andstowedawayinthebag,
whichismuchlikeendinglifeinthegrave."
"Thouartgrowinglessdoltishandmoreshrewdeveryday,Sancho,"saidDon
Quixote.
"Ay,"saidSancho;"itmustbethatsomeofyourworship'sshrewdnessstickstome;
landthat,ofitself,isbarrenanddry,willcometoyieldgoodfruitifyoufertilizeit
andtillit;whatImeanisthatyourworship'sconversationhasbeenthemanurethat
hasfallenonthebarrensoilofmydrywit,andthetimeIhavebeeninyourservice
andsocietyhasbeenthetilling;andwiththehelpofthisIhopetoyieldfruitin
abundancethatwillnotfallawayorslidefromthosepathsofgoodbreedingthat
yourworshiphasmadeinmyparchedunderstanding."
DonQuixotelaughedatSancho'saffectedphraseology,andperceivedthatwhathe
saidabouthisimprovementwastrue,fornowandthenhespokeinawaythat
surprisedhim;thoughalways,ormostly,whenSanchotriedtotalkfineand
attemptedpolitelanguage,hewoundupbytopplingoverfromthesummitofhis
simplicityintotheabyssofhisignorance;andwhereheshowedhiscultureandhis
memorytothegreatestadvantagewasindragginginproverbs,nomatterwhether
theyhadanybearingornotuponthesubjectinhand,asmayhavebeenseen
alreadyandwillbenoticedinthecourseofthishistory.
Inconversationofthiskindtheypassedagoodpartofthenight,butSanchofelta
desiretoletdownthecurtainsofhiseyes,asheusedtosaywhenhewantedtogoto
sleep;andstrippingtheDapplehelefthimatlibertytograzehisfill.Hedidnot
removeRocinante'ssaddle,ashismaster'sexpressorderswere,thatsolongasthey
wereinthefieldornotsleepingunderaroofRocinantewasnottobestrippedthe
ancientusageestablishedandobservedbyknightserrantbeingtotakeoffthe
bridleandhangitonthesaddlebow,buttoremovethesaddlefromthehorse
never!Sanchoactedaccordingly,andgavehimthesamelibertyhehadgiventhe
Dapple,betweenwhomandRocinantetherewasafriendshipsounequalledandso
strong,thatitishandeddownbytraditionfromfathertoson,thattheauthorofthis
veracioushistorydevotedsomespecialchapterstoit,which,inordertopreserve
theproprietyanddecorumduetoahistorysoheroic,hedidnotinserttherein;
althoughattimesheforgetsthisresolutionofhisanddescribeshoweagerlythetwo
beastswouldscratchoneanotherwhentheyweretogetherandhow,whenthey
155
weretiredorfull,RocinantewouldlayhisneckacrosstheDapple's,stretchinghalfa
yardormoreontheotherside,andthepairwouldstandthus,gazingthoughtfully
ontheground,forthreedays,oratleastsolongastheywereleftalone,orhunger
didnotdrivethemtogoandlookforfood.Imayaddthattheysaytheauthorleftit
onrecordthathelikenedtheirfriendshiptothatofNisusandEuryalus,andPylades
andOrestes;25andifthatbeso,itmaybeperceived,totheadmirationofmankind,
howfirmthefriendshipmusthavebeenbetweenthesetwopeacefulanimals,
shamingmen,whopreservefriendshipswithoneanothersobadly.Thiswaswhyit
wassaid
Forfriendnolongeristherefriend;
Thereedsturnlancesnow.26
Andsomeoneelsehassung
Friendtofriendthebug,etc.27
Andletnoonefancythattheauthorwasatallastraywhenhecomparedthe
friendshipoftheseanimalstothatofmen;formenhavereceivedmanylessonsfrom
beasts,andlearnedmanyimportantthings,as,forexample,theclysterfromthe
stork,vomitandgratitudefromthedog,watchfulnessfromthecrane,foresightfrom
theant,modestyfromtheelephant,andloyaltyfromthehorse.28
Sanchoatlastfellasleepatthefootofacorktree,whileDonQuixotedozedatthatof
asturdyoak;butashorttimeonlyhadelapsedwhenanoiseheheardbehindhim
awokehim,andrisingupstartled,helistenedandlookedinthedirectionthenoise
camefrom,andperceivedtwomenonhorseback,oneofwhom,lettinghimselfdrop
fromthesaddle,saidtotheother,"Dismount,myfriend,andtakethebridlesoffthe
horses,for,sofarasIcansee,thisplacewillfurnishgrassforthem,andthesolitude
25FamousfriendshipsinVirgilsAeneidandinGreektraditionanddrama.
26Fromapopularballad.
27abugintheeyeimplieskeepinganeyeonsomebody.
28Folkloricbeliefsaboutthevirtuesofanimals.
andsilencemylovesickthoughtsneedof."Ashesaidthishestretchedhimselfupon
theground,andasheflunghimselfdown,theamourinwhichhewascladrattled,
wherebyDonQuixoteperceivedthathemustbeaknighterrant;andgoingoverto
Sancho,whowasasleep,heshookhimbythearmandwithnosmalldifficulty
broughthimbacktohissenses,andsaidinalowvoicetohim,"BrotherSancho,we
havegotanadventure."
"Godsendusagoodone,"saidSancho;"andwheremayherladyshiptheadventure
be?"
"Where,Sancho?"repliedDonQuixote;"turnthineeyesandlook,andthouwiltsee
stretchedthereaknighterrant,who,itstrikesme,isnotoverandabovehappy,forI
sawhimflinghimselfoffhishorseandthrowhimselfonthegroundwithacertain
airofdejection,andhisarmorrattledashefell."
"Well,"saidSancho,"howdoesyourworshipmakeoutthattobeanadventure?"
"Idonotmeantosay,"returnedDonQuixote,"thatitisacompleteadventure,but
thatitisthebeginningofone,foritisinthiswayadventuresbegin.Butlisten,forit
seemsheistuningaluteorguitar,andfromthewayheisspittingandclearinghis
chesthemustbegettingreadytosingsomething."
"Faith,youareright,"saidSancho,"andnodoubtheissomeenamoredknight."
"Thereisnoknighterrantthatisnot,"saidDonQuixote;"butletuslistentohim,
for,ifhesings,bythatthreadweshallextracttheballofhisthoughts;becauseoutof
theabundanceoftheheartthemouthspeaketh."
Sanchowasabouttoreplytohismaster,buttheKnightoftheWood'svoice,which
wasneitherverybadnorverygood,stoppedhim,andlisteningattentivelythepair
heardhimsingthis:
157
SONNET
Yourpleasure,prithee,ladymine,unfold;
DeclarethetermsthatIamtoobey;
MywilltoyourssubmissivelyImould,
Andfromyourlawmyfeetshallneverstray.
WouldyouIdie,tosilentgriefaprey?
Thencountmeevennowasdeadandcold;
WouldyouItellmywoesinsomenewway?
ThenshallmytalebyLoveitselfbetold.
Theunisonofoppositestoprove,
OfthesoftwaxanddiamondhardamI;
Butstill,obedienttothelawsoflove,
Here,hardorsoft,Iofferyoumybreast,
Whate'eryougraveorstampthereonshallrest
Indelibleforalleternity.29
Withan"Ahme!"thatseemedtobedrawnfromtheinmostrecessesofhisheart,the
KnightoftheWoodbroughthislaytoanend,andshortlyafterwardsexclaimedina
melancholyandpiteousvoice,"Ofairestandmostungratefulwomanonearth!
What!canitbe,mostsereneCasildeadeVandalia,30thatthouwiltsufferthisthy
captiveknighttowasteawayandperishinceaselesswanderingsandrudeand
arduoustoils?ItisnotenoughthatIhavecompelledalltheknightsofNavarre,all
theLeonese,alltheTartesians,alltheCastilians,andfinallyalltheknightsofLa
Mancha,toconfesstheethemostbeautifulintheworld?"
"Notso,"saidDonQuixoteatthis,"forIamofLaMancha,andIhavenever
confessedanythingofthesort,norcouldInorshouldIconfessathingsomuchto
29Thepoemintentionallyfollowstheaffectedconventionsofthetime.
30TheKnightoftheWoodsliegelady,counterparttoDulcinea.
theprejudiceofmylady'sbeauty;thouseesthowthisknightisraving,Sancho.But
letuslisten,perhapshewilltellusmoreabouthimself."
"Thathewill,"returnedSancho,"forheseemsinamoodtobewailhimselffora
monthatastretch."
Butthiswasnotthecase,fortheKnightoftheWood,hearingvoicesnearhim,
insteadofcontinuinghislamentation,stoodupandexclaimedinadistinctbut
courteoustone,"Whogoesthere?Whatareyou?Doyoubelongtothenumberofthe
happyorofthemiserable?"31
"Ofthemiserable,"answeredDonQuixote.
"Thencometome,"saidheoftheWood,"andrestassuredthatitistowoeitselfand
afflictionitselfyoucome."
DonQuixote,findinghimselfansweredinsuchasoftandcourteousmanner,went
overtohim,andsodidSancho.
ThedolefulknighttookDonQuixotebythearm,saying,"Sitdownhere,sirknight;
for,thatyouareone,andofthosethatprofessknighterrantry,itistomeasufficient
prooftohavefoundyouinthisplace,wheresolitudeandnight,thenaturalcouch
andproperretreatofknightserrant,keepyoucompany."TowhichtheDonmade
answer,"AknightIamoftheprofessionyoumention,andthoughsorrows,
misfortunes,andcalamitieshavemademyhearttheirabode,thecompassionIfeel
forthemisfortunesofothershasnotbeentherebybanishedfromit.Fromwhatyou
havejustnowsungIgatherthatyoursspringfromlove,Imeanfromtheloveyou
bearthatfairingrateyounamedinyourlament."
31Areyouhappy,orareyoulovesick?
159
Inthemeantime,theyhadseatedthemselvestogetheronthehardgroundpeaceably
andsociably,justasif,assoonasdaybroke,theywerenotgoingtobreakone
another'sheads.
"Areyou,sirknight,inloveperchance?"askedheoftheWoodofDonQuixote.
"BymischanceIam,"repliedDonQuixote;"thoughtheillsarisingfromwell
bestowedaffectionsshouldbeesteemedfavorsratherthanmisfortunes."
"Thatistrue,"returnedheoftheWood,"ifscorndidnotunsettleourreasonand
understanding,forifitbeexcessiveitlookslikerevenge."
"Iwasneverscornedbymylady,"saidDonQuixote.
"Certainlynot,"saidSancho,whostoodcloseby,"formyladyisasalamb,andsofter
thanarollofbutter."
"Isthisyoursquire?"askedheoftheWood.
"Heis,"saidDonQuixote.
"Ineveryetsawasquire,"saidheoftheWood,"whoventuredtospeakwhenhis
masterwasspeaking;atleast,thereismine,whoisasbigashisfather,anditcannot
beprovedthathehaseveropenedhislipswhenIamspeaking."
"Bymyfaiththen,"saidSancho,"Ihavespoken,andamfittospeak,inthepresence
ofoneasmuch,orevenbutneverminditonlymakesitworsetostirit."
ThesquireoftheWoodtookSanchobythearm,sayingtohim,"Letustwogowhere
wecantalkinsquirestyleasmuchasweplease,andleavethesegentlemenour
masterstofightitoutoverthestoryoftheirloves;and,dependuponit,daybreak
willfindthematitwithouthavingmadeanendofit."
"Sobeitbyallmeans,"saidSancho;"andIwilltellyourworshipwhoIam,thatyou
mayseewhetherIamtobereckonedamongthenumberofthemosttalkative
squires."
Withthisthetwosquireswithdrewtooneside,andbetweenthemtherepasseda
conversationasdrollasthatwhichpassedbetweentheirmasterswasserious.
161
CHAPTERXIII.
INWHICHISCONTINUEDTHEADVENTUREOFTHEKNIGHTOFTHEWOOD,
TOGETHERWITHTHESENSIBLE,ORIGINAL,ANDTRANQUILCOLLOQUYTHAT
PASSEDBETWEENTHETWOSQUIRES
Theknightsandthesquiresmadetwoparties,thesetellingthestoryoftheirlives,
theothersthestoryoftheirloves;butthehistoryrelatesfirstofalltheconversation
oftheservants,andafterwardstakesupthatofthemasters;anditsaysthat,
withdrawingalittlefromtheothers,heoftheWoodsaidtoSancho,"Ahardlifeitis
weleadandlive,seor,wethataresquirestoknightserrant;verily,weeatour
breadinthesweatofourfaces,whichisoneofthecursesGodlaidonourfirst
parents."32
"Itmaybesaid,too,"addedSancho,"thatweeatitinthechillofourbodies;forwho
getsmoreheatandcoldthanthemiserablesquiresofknighterrantry?Evensoit
wouldnotbesobadifwehadsomethingtoeat,forwoesarelighterifthere'sbread;
butsometimeswegoadayortwowithoutbreakingourfast,exceptwiththewind
thatblows."
"Allthat,"saidheoftheWood,"maybeenduredandputupwithwhenwehave
hopesofreward;for,unlesstheknighterrantheservesisexcessivelyunlucky,after
afewturnsthesquirewillatleastfindhimselfrewardedwithafinegovernmentof
someislandorsomefaircounty."
"I,"saidSancho,"havealreadytoldmymasterthatIshallbecontentwiththe
governmentofsomeisland,andheissonobleandgenerousthathehaspromisedit
tomeeversomanytimes."
32Cf.Genesis3:19
"I,"saidheoftheWood,"shallbesatisfiedwithacanonryformyservices,andmy
masterhasalreadyassignedmeone."
"Yourmaster,"saidSancho,"nodoubtisaknightintheChurchline,andcanbestow
rewardsofthatsortonhisgoodsquire;butmineisonlyalayman;thoughI
remembersomeclever,but,tomymind,designingpeople,strovetopersuadehim
totryandbecomeanarchbishop.He,however,wouldnotbeanythingbutan
emperor;butIwastremblingallthetimelestheshouldtakeafancytogointothe
Church,notfindingmyselffittoholdofficeinit;forImaytellyou,thoughIseema
man,IamnobetterthanabeastfortheChurch."
"Well,then,youarewrongthere,"saidheoftheWood;"forthoseisland
governmentsarenotallsatisfactory;someareawkward,somearepoor,someare
dull,and,inshort,thehighestandchoicestbringswithitaheavyburdenofcares
andtroubleswhichtheunhappywighttowhoselotithasfallenbearsuponhis
shoulders.Farbetterwoulditbeforuswhohaveadoptedthisaccursedserviceto
gobacktoourownhouses,andthereemployourselvesinpleasanteroccupations
inhuntingorfishing,forinstance;forwhatsquireintheworldistheresopooras
nottohaveahackandacoupleofgreyhoundsandafishingrodtoamusehimself
withinhisownvillage?"
"Iamnotinwantofanyofthosethings,"saidSancho;"tobesureIhavenohack,but
Ihaveanassthatisworthmymaster'shorsetwiceover;GodsendmeabadEaster,
andthatthenextoneIamtosee,ifIwouldswap,evenifIgotfourbushelsofbarley
toboot.YouwilllaughatthevalueIputonmyDapplefordappleisthecolorofmy
beast.Astogreyhounds,Ican'twantforthem,forthereareenoughandtosparein
mytown;and,moreover,thereismorepleasureinsportwhenitisatotherpeople's
expense."
163
"Intruthandearnest,sirsquire,"saidheoftheWood,"Ihavemadeupmymindand
determinedtohavedonewiththesedrunkenvagariesoftheseknights,andgoback
tomyvillage,andbringupmychildren;forIhavethree,likethreeOrientalpearls."
"Ihavetwo,"saidSancho,"thatmightbepresentedbeforethePopehimself,
especiallyagirlwhomIambreedingupforacountess,pleaseGod,thoughinspite
ofhermother."
"Andhowoldisthisladythatisbeingbredupforacountess?"askedheofthe
Wood.
"Fifteen,acoupleofyearsmoreorless,"answeredSancho;"butsheisastallasa
lance,andasfreshasanAprilmorning,andasstrongasaporter."
"Thosearegiftstofithertobenotonlyacountessbutanymphofthegreenwood,"
saidheoftheWood;"whoresonstrumpet!whatpiththeroguemusthave!"
TowhichSanchomadeanswer,somewhatsulkily,"She'snostrumpet,norwasher
mother,norwilleitherofthembe,pleaseGod,whileIlive;speakmorecivilly;for
onebredupamongknightserrant,whoarecourtesyitself,yourwordsdon'tseem
tometobeverybecoming."
"Ohowlittleyouknowaboutcompliments,sirsquire,"returnedheoftheWood.
"What!don'tyouknowthatwhenahorsemandeliversagoodlancethrustatthe
bullintheplaza,orwhenanyonedoesanythingverywell,thepeoplearewontto
say,'Ha,whoresonrip!howwellhehasdoneit!'andthatwhatseemstobeabusein
theexpressionishighpraise?Disownsonsanddaughters,seor,whodon'tdowhat
deservesthatcomplimentsofthissortshouldbepaidtotheirparents."
"Idodisownthem,"repliedSancho,"andinthisway,andbythesamereasoning,
youmightcallmeandmychildrenandmywifeallthestrumpetsintheworld,forall
theydoandsayisofakindthatinthehighestdegreedeservesthesamepraise;and
toseethemagainIprayGodtodelivermefrommortalsin,or,whatcomestothe
samething,todelivermefromthisperilouscallingofsquireintowhichIhavefallen
asecondtime,decayedandbeguiledbyapursewithahundredducatsthatIfound
onedayintheheartoftheSierraMorena33;andthedevilisalwaysputtingabagfull
ofdoubloonsbeforemyeyes,here,there,everywhere,untilIfancyateverystopI
amputtingmyhandonit,andhuggingit,andcarryingithomewithme,andmaking
investments,andgettinginterest,andlivinglikeaprince;andsolongasIthinkof
thisImakelightofallthehardshipsIendurewiththissimpletonofamasterof
mine,who,Iwellknow,ismoreofamadmanthanaknight."
"There'swhytheysaythat'covetousnessburststhebag,'"saidheoftheWood;"but
ifyoucometotalkofthatsort,thereisnotagreateroneintheworldthanmy
master,forheisoneofthoseofwhomtheysay,'thecaresofotherskilltheass;'for,
inorderthatanotherknightmayrecoverthesenseshehaslost,hemakesa
madmanofhimselfandgoeslookingforwhat,whenfound,may,forallIknow,flyin
hisownface."
"Andisheinloveperchance?"askedSancho.
"Heis,"saidoftheWood,"withoneCasildeadeVandalia,therawest34andbest
roastedladythewholeworldcouldproduce;butthatrawnessisnottheonlyfoothe
limpson,forhehasgreaterschemesrumblinginhisbowels,aswillbeseenbefore
manyhoursareover."
"There'snoroadsosmoothbutithassomeholeorhindranceinit,"saidSancho;"in
otherhousestheycookbeans,butinmineit'sbythepotfull;madnesswillhave
morefollowersandhangersonthansoundsense;butiftherebeanytruthinthe
33WhenDonQuixoteretiredthereinPartI,Chapter23.
34Theoriginalisapunonthewordcrudo,whichmeansbothrawandcruel.
165
commonsaying,thattohavecompanionsintroublegivessomerelief,Imaytake
consolationfromyou,inasmuchasyouserveamasterascrazyasmyown."
"Crazybutvaliant,"repliedheoftheWood,"andmoreofaroguethananything
else.
"Mineisnotthat,"saidSancho;"Imeanhehasnothingoftherogueinhim;onthe
contrary,heisasopenandaboveboardasawinepitcher;hehasnothoughtofdoing
harmtoanyone,onlygoodtoall,norhasheanymalicewhateverinhim;achild
mightpersuadehimthatitisnightatnoonday;andforthissimplicityIlovehim
withallmyheart,andIcan'tbringmyselftoleavehim,lethimdoeversuchfoolish
things."
"Forallthat,brotherandseor,"saidheoftheWood,"iftheblindleadtheblind,
bothareindangeroffallingintothepit.Itisbetterforustobeataquietretreatand
getbacktoourownquarters;forthosewhoseekadventuresdon'talwaysfindgood
ones."
Sanchokeptspittingfromtimetotime,andhisspittleseemedsomewhatropyand
dry,observingwhichthecompassionatesquireoftheWoodsaid,"Itseemstome
thatwithallthistalkofoursourtonguesarestickingtotheroofsofourmouths;but
Ihaveaprettygoodloosenerhangingfromthesaddlebowofmyhorse,"and
gettinguphecamebackthenextminutewithalargebotaofwineandapastyhalfa
yardacross;andthisisnoexaggeration,foritwasmadeofahouserabbitsobigthat
Sancho,ashehandledit,tookittobemadeofagoat,nottosayakid,andlookingat
ithesaid,"Anddoyoucarrythiswithyou,seor?"
"Why,whatareyouthinkingabout?"saidtheother;"doyoutakemeforsomepaltry
squire?Icarryabetterlarderonmyhorse'scroupthanageneraltakeswithhim
whenhegoesonamarch."
Sanchoatewithoutrequiringtobepressed,andinthedarkboltedmouthfulslike
theknotsonatether,andsaidhe,"Youareapropertrustysquire,oneoftheright
sort,sumptuousandgrand,asthisbanquetshows,which,ifithasnotcomehereby
magicart,atanyratehasthelookofit;notlikeme,unluckybeggar,thathave
nothingmoreinmyalforjasthanascrapofcheese,sohardthatonemightbraina
giantwithit,and,tokeepitcompany,afewdozencarobsandasmanymorefilberts
andwalnuts;thankstotheausterityofmymaster,andtheideahehasandtherule
hefollows,thatknightserrantmustnotliveorsustainthemselvesonanything
exceptdriedfruitsandtheherbsofthefield."
"Bymyfaith,brother,"saidheoftheWood,"mystomachisnotmadeforthistles,or
wildpears,orrootsofthewoods;letourmastersdoastheylike,withtheirchivalry
notionsandlaws,andeatwhatthoseenjoin;Icarrymybasketandthisbotahanging
tothesaddlebow,whatevertheymaysay;anditissuchanobjectofworshipwith
me,andIloveitso,thatthereishardlyamomentbutIamkissingandembracingit
overandoveragain;"andsosayinghethrustitintoSancho'shands,whoraisingit
aloftpointedtohismouth,gazedatthestarsforaquarterofanhour;andwhenhe
haddonedrinkinglethisheadfallononeside,andgivingadeepsigh,exclaimed,
"Ah,whoresonrogue,howcatholicitis!"
"There,yousee,"saidheoftheWood,hearingSancho'sexclamation,"howyouhave
calledthiswinewhoresonbywayofpraise."
"Well,"saidSancho,"Iownit,andIgrantitisnodishonortocallanyonewhoreson
whenitistobeunderstoodaspraise.Buttellme,seor,bywhatyoulovebest,is
thisCiudadReal35wine?"
"Orarewinetaster!"saidheoftheWood;"nowhereelseindeeddoesitcomefrom,
andithassomeyears'agetoo."
35ThemaintowninLaManchaandthecenterofawineregion.
167
"Leavemealoneforthat,"saidSancho;"neverfearbutI'llhitupontheplaceitcame
fromsomehow.Whatwouldyousay,sirsquire,tomyhavingsuchagreatnatural
instinctinjudgingwinesthatyouhaveonlytoletmesmelloneandIcantell
positivelyitscountry,itskind,itsflavorandsoundness,thechangesitwillundergo,
andeverythingthatappertainstoawine?Butitisnowonder,forIhavehadinmy
family,onmyfather'sside,thetwobestwinetastersthathavebeenknowninLa
Manchaformanyalongyear,andtoproveitI'lltellyounowathingthathappened
them.Theygavethetwoofthemsomewineoutofacask,totry,askingtheir
opinionastothecondition,quality,goodnessorbadnessofthewine.Oneofthem
trieditwiththetipofhistongue,theotherdidnomorethanbringittohisnose.The
firstsaidthewinehadaflavorofiron,thesecondsaidithadastrongerflavorof
cordovan.Theownersaidthecaskwasclean,andthatnothinghadbeenaddedto
thewinefromwhichitcouldhavegotaflavorofeitherironorleather.Nevertheless,
thesetwogreatwinetastersheldtowhattheyhadsaid.Timewentby,thewinewas
sold,andwhentheycametocleanoutthecask,theyfoundinitasmallkeyhanging
toathongofcordovan;seenowifonewhocomesofthesamestockhasnotaright
togivehisopinioninsuchlikecases."
"Therefore,Isay,"saidheoftheWood,"letusgiveupgoinginquestofadventures,
andaswehaveloavesletusnotgolookingforcakes,butreturntoourcribs,forGod
willfindusthereifitbehiswill."
"UntilmymasterreachesSaragossa,"saidSancho,"I'llremaininhisservice;after
thatwe'llsee."
Theendofitwasthatthetwosquirestalkedsomuchanddranksomuchthatsleep
hadtotietheirtonguesandmoderatetheirthirst,fortoquenchitwasimpossible;
andsothepairofthemfellasleepclingingtothenownearlyemptybotaandwith
halfchewedmorselsintheirmouths;andtherewewillleavethemforthepresent,
torelatewhatpassedbetweentheKnightoftheWoodandhimoftheMournful
Countenance.
169
CHAPTERXIV.
WHEREINISCONTINUEDTHEADVENTUREOFTHEKNIGHTOFTHEWOOD
AmongthethingsthatpassedbetweenDonQuixoteandtheKnightoftheWood,the
historytellsusheoftheWoodsaidtoDonQuixote,"Infine,sirknight,Iwouldhave
youknowthatmydestiny,or,moreproperlyspeaking,mychoiceledmetofallin
lovewiththepeerlessCasildeadeVandalia.Icallherpeerlessbecauseshehasno
peer,whetheritbeinbodilystatureorinthesupremacyofrankandbeauty.This
sameCasildea,then,thatIspeakof,requitedmyhonorablepassionandgentle
aspirationsbycompellingme,ashisstepmotherdidHercules,toengageinmany
perilsofvarioussorts36,attheendofeachpromisingmethat,withtheendofthe
next,theobjectofmyhopesshouldbeattained;butmylaborshavegoneon
increasinglinkbylinkuntiltheyarepastcounting,nordoIknowwhatwillbethe
lastonethatistobethebeginningoftheaccomplishmentofmychastedesires.On
oneoccasionshebademegoandchallengethefamousgiantessofSeville,La
Giralda37byname,whoisasmightyandstrongasifmadeofbrass,andthough
neverstirringfromonespot,isthemostrestlessandchangeablewomaninthe
world.Icame,Isaw,Iconquered,andImadeherstayquietandbehaveherself,for
nothingbutnorthwindsblewformorethanaweek.AnothertimeIwasorderedto
liftthoseancientstones,themightybullsofGuisando38,anenterprisethatmight
morefitlybeentrustedtoportersthantoknights.Again,shebademeflingmyself
intothecavernofCabra39anunparalleledandawfulperilandbringheraminute
accountofallthatisconcealedinthosegloomydepths.Istoppedthemotionofthe
Giralda,IliftedthebullsofGuisando,Iflungmyselfintothecavernandbroughtto
lightthesecretsofitsabyss;andmyhopesareasdeadasdeadcanbe,andherscorn
36ThesonofZeusandAlcmena,HerculeswaspersecutedbyZeusswifeHera.
37Actually,abrassstatueontheMoorishbelfryofthecathedralatSeville.
38Morestatuestheserepresentinganimalsandsupposedlymarkingaplacewhere
CesardefeatedPompey.
39PossiblyanancientmineshaftintheSierradeCabranearCordova.
andhercommandsaslivelyasever.Tobebrief,lastofallshehascommandedmeto
gothroughalltheprovincesofSpainandcompelalltheknightserrantwandering
thereintoconfessthatshesurpassesallwomenalivetodayinbeauty,andthatIam
themostvaliantandthemostdeeplyenamoredknightonearth;insupportofwhich
claimIhavealreadytravelledoverthegreaterpartofSpain,andhavethere
vanquishedseveralknightswhohavedaredtocontradictme;butwhatImost
plumeandpridemyselfuponishavingvanquishedinsinglecombatthatsofamous
knightDonQuixoteofLaMancha,andmadehimconfessthatmyCasildeaismore
beautifulthanhisDulcinea;andinthisonevictoryIholdmyselftohaveconquered
alltheknightsintheworld;forthisDonQuixotethatIspeakofhasvanquished
themall,andIhavingvanquishedhim,hisglory,hisfame,andhishonorhave
passedandaretransferredtomyperson;for
Themorethevanquishedhathoffairrenown,
Thegreaterglorygildsthevictor'scrown.40
ThustheinnumerableachievementsofthesaidDonQuixotearenowsetdownto
myaccountandhavebecomemine."
DonQuixotewasamazedwhenheheardtheKnightoftheWood,andwasa
thousandtimesonthepointoftellinghimhelied,andhadtheliedirectalreadyon
thetipofhistongue;butherestrainedhimselfaswellashecould,inordertoforce
himtoconfesstheliewithhisownlips;sohesaidtohimquietly,"Astowhatyou
say,sirknight,abouthavingvanquishedmostoftheknightsofSpain,orevenofthe
wholeworld,Isaynothing;butthatyouhavevanquishedDonQuixoteofLaMancha
Iconsiderdoubtful;itmayhavebeensomeotherthatresembledhim,although
therearefewlikehim."
40FromtheAraucana,apoembyAlonzodeErcillayZigaontheSpanishstruggle
againsttheAraucanianIndiansofChile.
171
"How!notvanquished?"saidheoftheWood;"bytheheaventhatisaboveusI
foughtDonQuixoteandovercamehimandmadehimyield;andheisamanoftall
stature,gauntfeatures,long,lanklimbs,withhairturninggrey,anaquilinenose
ratherhooked,andlargeblackdroopingmoustaches;hedoesbattleunderthename
of'TheKnightoftheMournfulCountenance,'andhehasforsquireapeasantcalled
SanchoPanza;hepressestheloinsandrulesthereinsofafamoussteedcalled
Rocinante;andlastly,hehasforthemistressofhiswillacertainDulcineadel
Toboso,onceuponatimecalledAldonzaLorenzo,justasIcallmineCasildeade
VandaliabecausehernameisCasildaandsheisofAndalusia.Ifallthesetokensare
notenoughtovindicatethetruthofwhatIsay,hereismysword,thatwillcompel
incredulityitselftogivecredencetoit."
"Calmyourself,sirknight,"saidDonQuixote,"andgiveeartowhatIamabouttosay
toyou.IwouldhaveyouknowthatthisDonQuixoteyouspeakofisthegreatest
friendIhaveintheworld;somuchsothatImaysayIregardhiminthesamelight
asmyownperson;andfromthepreciseandclearindicationsyouhavegivenI
cannotbutthinkthathemustbetheveryoneyouhavevanquished.Ontheother
hand,Iseewithmyeyesandfeelwithmyhandsthatitisimpossibleitcanhave
beenthesame;unlessindeeditbethat,ashehasmanyenemieswhoare
enchanters,andoneinparticularwhoisalwayspersecutinghim,someoneofthese
mayhavetakenhisshapeinordertoallowhimselftobevanquished,soasto
defraudhimofthefamethathisexaltedachievementsasaknighthaveearnedand
acquiredforhimthroughouttheknownworld.Andinconfirmationofthis,Imust
tellyou,too,thatitisbuttenhourssincethesesaidenchantershisenemies
transformedtheshapeandpersonofthefairDulcineadelTobosointoafouland
meanvillagelass,andinthesamewaytheymusthavetransformedDonQuixote;
andifallthisdoesnotsufficetoconvinceyouofthetruthofwhatIsay,hereisDon
Quixotehimself,whowillmaintainitbyarms,onfootoronhorsebackorinanyway
youplease."
Andsosayinghestoodupandlaidhishandonhissword,waitingtoseewhatthe
KnightoftheWoodwoulddo,whoinanequallycalmvoicesaidinreply,"Pledges
don'tdistressagoodpayer;hewhohassucceededinvanquishingyouoncewhen
transformed,SirDonQuixote,mayfairlyhopetosubdueyouinyourownproper
shape;butasitisnotbecomingforknightstoperformtheirfeatsofarmsinthe
dark,likehighwaymenandbullies,letuswaittilldaylight,thatthesunmaybehold
ourdeeds;andtheconditionsofourcombatshallbethatthevanquishedshallbeat
thevictor'sdisposal,todoallthathemayenjoin,providedtheinjunctionbesuchas
shallbebecomingaknight."
"Iammorethansatisfiedwiththeseconditionsandterms,"repliedDonQuixote;
andsosaying,theybetookthemselvestowheretheirsquireslay,andfoundthem
snoring,andinthesameposturetheywereinwhensleepfelluponthem.They
rousedthemup,andbadethemgetthehorsesready,asatsunrisetheywereto
engageinabloodyandarduoussinglecombat;atwhichintelligenceSanchowas
aghastandthunderstruck,tremblingforthesafetyofhismasterbecauseofthe
mightydeedshehadheardthesquireoftheWoodascribetohis;butwithouta
wordthetwosquireswentinquestoftheircattle;forbythistimethethreehorses
andtheasshadsmeltoneanotherout,andwerealltogether.
Ontheway,heoftheWoodsaidtoSancho,"Youmustknow,brother,thatitisthe
customwiththefightingmenofAndalusia,whentheyaregodfathersinanyquarrel,
nottostandidlewithfoldedarmswhiletheirgodsonsfight;Isaysotoremindyou
thatwhileourmastersarefighting,we,too,havetofight,andknockoneanotherto
shivers."
"Thatcustom,sirsquire,"repliedSancho,"mayholdgoodamongthosebulliesand
fightingmenyoutalkof,butcertainlynotamongthesquiresofknightserrant;at
least,Ihaveneverheardmymasterspeakofanycustomofthesort,andheknows
allthelawsofknighterrantrybyheart;butgrantingittruethatthereisanexpress
lawthatsquiresaretofightwhiletheirmastersarefighting,Idon'tmeantoobeyit,
173
buttopaythepenaltythatmaybelaidonpeacefullymindedsquireslikemyself;for
Iamsureitcannotbemorethantwopoundsofwax41,andIwouldratherpaythat,
forIknowitwillcostmelessthanthebandagesIwillneedtomyhead,whichIlook
uponasbrokenandsplitalready;there'sanotherthingthatmakesitimpossiblefor
metofight,thatIhavenosword,forInevercarriedoneinmylife."
"Iknowagoodremedyforthat,"saidheoftheWood;"Ihaveheretwolinenbagsof
thesamesize;youshalltakeone,andItheother,andwewillfightatbagblowswith
equalarms."
"Ifthat'stheway,sobeitwithallmyheart,"saidSancho,"forthatsortofbattlewill
servetoknockthedustoutofusinsteadofhurtingus."
"Thatwillnotdo,"saidtheother,"forwemustputintothebags,tokeepthewind
fromblowingthemaway,halfadozennicesmoothpebbles,allofthesameweight;
andinthiswayweshallbeabletobasteoneanotherwithoutdoingourselvesany
harmormischief."
"Bodyofmyfather!"saidSancho,"seewhatmartenandsable,andpadsofcarded
cottonheisputtingintothebags,thatourheadsmaynotbebrokenandourbones
beatentojelly!Buteveniftheyarefilledwithtosssilk,Icantellyou,seor,Iamnot
goingtofight;letourmastersfight,that'stheirlookout,andletusdrinkandlive;for
timewilltakecaretoeaseusofourlives,withoutourgoingtolookforfillipssothat
theymaybefinishedoffbeforetheirpropertimecomesandtheydropfrom
ripeness."
"Still,"returnedheoftheWood,"wemustfight,ifitbeonlyforhalfanhour."
41Insomeconfraternities,penaltieswerepaidinwax,presumablytomakechurch
candles.
"Bynomeans,"saidSancho;"Iamnotgoingtobesodiscourteousorsoungrateful
astohaveanyquarrel,beiteversosmall,withoneIhaveeatenanddrunkwith;
besides,whothedevilcouldbringhimselftofightincoldblood,withoutangeror
provocation?"
"Icanremedythatentirely,"saidheoftheWood,"andinthisway:beforewebegin
thebattle,Iwillcomeuptoyourworshipfairandsoftly,andgiveyouthreeorfour
buffets,withwhichIshallstretchyouatmyfeetandrouseyouranger,thoughit
weresleepingsounderthanadormouse."
"Tomatchthatplan,"saidSancho,"Ihaveanotherthatisnotawhitbehindit;Iwill
takeacudgel,andbeforeyourworshipcomesnearenoughtowakenmyangerIwill
sendyourssosoundtosleepwithwhacks,thatitwon'twakenunlessitbeinthe
otherworld,whereitisknownthatIamnotamantoletmyfacebehandledby
anyone;leteachlookoutforthearrow42thoughthesurerwaywouldbetolet
everyone'sangersleep,fornobodyknowstheheartofanyone,andamanmaycome
forwoolandgobackshorn;Godgavehisblessingtopeaceandhiscursetoquarrels;
ifahuntedcat,surroundedandhardpressed,turnsintoalion,GodknowswhatI,
whoamaman,mayturninto;andsofromthistimeforthIwarnyou,sirsquire,that
alltheharmandmischiefthatmaycomeofourquarrelwillbeputdowntoyour
account."
"Verygood,"saidheoftheWood;"Godwillsendthedawnandweshallbeallright."
Andnowgayplumagedbirdsofallsortsbegantowarbleinthetrees,andwiththeir
variedandgladsomenotesseemedtowelcomeandsalutethefreshmornthatwas
beginningtoshowthebeautyofhercountenanceatthegatesandbalconiesofthe
east,shakingfromherlocksaprofusionofliquidpearls;inwhichdulcetmoisture
bathed,theplants,too,seemedtoshedandshowerdownapearlyspray,thewillows
42Aproverbialexpressionfromarchery,leteachonetakecareofhisownarrow.
Otherclearlyproverbialexpressionsfollow,typicalofSanchosspeech.
175
distilledsweetmanna,thefountainslaughed,thebrooksbabbled,thewoods
rejoiced,andthemeadowsarrayedthemselvesinalltheirgloryathercoming.But
hardlyhadthelightofdaymadeitpossibletoseeanddistinguishthings,whenthe
firstobjectthatpresenteditselftotheeyesofSanchoPanzawasthesquireofthe
Wood'snose,whichwassobigthatitalmostovershadowedhiswholebody.Itis,in
fact,stated,thatitwasofenormoussize,hookedinthemiddle,coveredwithwarts,
andofamulberrycolorlikeaneggplant;ithungdowntwofingers'lengthbelowhis
mouth,andthesize,thecolor,thewarts,andthebendofit,madehisfaceso
hideous,thatSancho,ashelookedathim,begantotremblehandandfootlikea
childinconvulsions,andhevowedinhishearttolethimselfbegiventwohundred
buffets,soonerthanbeprovokedtofightthatmonster.DonQuixoteexaminedhis
adversary,andfoundthathealreadyhadhishelmetonandvisorlowered,sothathe
couldnotseehisface;heobserved,however,thathewasasturdilybuiltman,but
notverytallinstature.Overhisarmorheworeasurcoatorcassockofwhatseemed
tobethefinestclothofgold,allbespangledwithglitteringmirrorslikelittlemoons,
whichgavehimanextremelygallantandsplendidappearance;abovehishelmet
flutteredagreatquantityofplumes,green,yellow,andwhite,andhislance,which
wasleaningagainstatree,wasverylongandstout,andhadasteelpointmorethan
apalminlength.
DonQuixoteobservedall,andtooknoteofall,andfromwhathesawandobserved
heconcludedthatthesaidknightmustbeamanofgreatstrength,buthedidnotfor
allthatgivewaytofear,likeSanchoPanza;onthecontrary,withacomposedand
dauntlessair,hesaidtotheKnightoftheMirrors,43"If,sirknight,yourgreat
eagernesstofighthasnotbanishedyourcourtesy,byitIwouldentreatyoutoraise
yourvisoralittle,inorderthatImayseeifthecomelinessofyourcountenance
correspondswiththatofyourequipment."
43TheKnightoftheWood,nowrenamedinkeepingwithhisattire.
"Whetheryoucomevictoriousorvanquishedoutofthisemprise,sirknight,"replied
heoftheMirrors,"youwillhavemorethanenoughtimeandleisuretoseeme;andif
nowIdonotcomplywithyourrequest,itisbecauseitseemstomeIshoulddoa
seriouswrongtothefairCasildeadeVandaliainwastingtimewhileIstoppedto
raisemyvisorbeforecompellingyoutoconfesswhatyouarealreadyawareI
maintain."
"Wellthen,"saidDonQuixote,"whilewearemountingyoucanatleasttellmeifI
amthatDonQuixotewhomyousaidyouvanquished."
"Tothatweansweryou,"saidheoftheMirrors,"thatyouareasliketheveryknight
Ivanquishedasoneeggislikeanother,butasyousaythatenchanterspersecute
you,Iwillnotventuretosaypositivelywhetheryouarethesaidpersonornot."
"That,"saidDonQuixote,"isenoughtoconvincemethatyouareunderadeception;
however,entirelytorelieveyouofit,letourhorsesbebrought,andinlesstimethan
itwouldtakeyoutoraiseyourvisor,ifGod,mylady,andmyarmstandmeingood
stead,Ishallseeyourface,andyoushallseethatIamnotthevanquishedDon
Quixoteyoutakemetobe."
Withthis,cuttingshortthecolloquy,theymounted,andDonQuixotewheeled
Rocinanteroundinordertotakeaproperdistancetochargebackuponhis
adversary,andheoftheMirrorsdidthesame;butDonQuixotehadnotmovedaway
twentypaceswhenheheardhimselfcalledbytheother,and,eachreturninghalf
way,heoftheMirrorssaidtohim,"Remember,sirknight,thatthetermsofour
combatare,thatthevanquished,asIsaidbefore,shallbeatthevictor'sdisposal."
"Iamawareofitalready,"saidDonQuixote;"providedwhatiscommandedand
imposeduponthevanquishedbethingsthatdonottransgressthelimitsof
chivalry."
177
"Thatisunderstood,"repliedheoftheMirrors.
AtthismomenttheextraordinarynoseofthesquirepresenteditselftoDon
Quixote'sview,andhewasnolessamazedthanSanchoatthesight;insomuchthat
hesethimdownasamonsterofsomekind,orahumanbeingofsomenewspecies
orunearthlybreed.Sancho,seeinghismasterretiringtorunhiscourse,didnotlike
tobeleftalonewiththenosyman,fearingthatwithoneflapofthatnoseonhisown,
thebattlewouldbealloverforhimandhewouldbeleftstretchedontheground,
eitherbythebloworwithfright;soheranafterhismaster,holdingonto
Rocinante'sstirrupleather,andwhenitseemedtohimtimetoturnabout,hesaid,
"Iimploreofyourworship,seor,beforeyouturntocharge,tohelpmeupintothis
corktree,fromwhichIwillbeabletowitnessthegallantencounteryourworshipis
goingtohavewiththisknight,moretomytasteandbetterthanfromtheground."
"Itseemstomerather,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"thatthouwouldstmounta
scaffoldinordertoseethebullswithoutdanger."
"Totellthetruth,"returnedSancho,"themonstrousnoseofthatsquirehasfilledme
withfearandterror,andIdarenotstaynearhim."
"Itis,"saidDonQuixote,"suchaonethatwereInotwhoIamitwouldterrifyme
too;so,come,Iwillhelptheeupwherethouwilt."
WhileDonQuixotewaitedforSanchotomountintothecorktreeheoftheMirrors
tookasmuchgroundasheconsideredrequisite,and,supposingDonQuixoteto
havedonethesame,withoutwaitingforanysoundoftrumpetorothersignalto
directthem,hewheeledhishorse,whichwasnotmoreagileorbetterlookingthan
Rocinante,andathistopspeed,whichwasaneasytrot,heproceededtochargehis
enemy;seeinghim,however,engagedinputtingSanchoup,hedrewrein,andhalted
inmidcareer,forwhichhishorsewasverygrateful,ashewasalreadyunabletogo.
DonQuixote,fancyingthathisfoewascomingdownuponhimflying,drovehis
spursvigorouslyintoRocinante'sleanflanksandmadehimscudalonginsuchstyle
thatthehistorytellsusthatonthisoccasiononlywasheknowntobreakinto
somethinglikeagallop,foronallothersitwasasimpletrotwithhim;andwiththis
unparalleledfuryheboredownwhereheoftheMirrorsstooddigginghisspursinto
hishorseuptobuttons,withoutbeingabletomakehimstirafinger'slengthfrom
thespotwherehehadcometoastandstillinhiscourse.Atthisluckymomentand
crisis,DonQuixotecameuponhisadversary,introublewithhishorse,and
embarrassedwithhislance,whichheeithercouldnotmanage,orhadnotimetolay
inrest.DonQuixote,however,paidnoattentiontothesedifficulties,andinperfect
safetytohimselfandwithoutanyriskencounteredhimoftheMirrorswithsuch
forcethathebroughthimtothegroundinspiteofhimselfoverthehaunchesofhis
horse,andwithsoheavyafallthathelaytoallappearancedead,notstirringhand
orfoot.TheinstantSanchosawhimfallhesliddownfromthecorktree,andmade
allhastetowherehismasterwas,who,dismountingfromRocinante,wentand
stoodoverhimoftheMirrors,andunlacinghishelmettoseeifhewasdead,andto
givehimairifheshouldhappentobealive,hesawwhocansaywhathesaw,
withoutfillingallwhohearitwithastonishment,wonder,andawe?Hesaw,the
historysays,theverycountenance,theveryface,theverylook,thevery
physiognomy,theveryeffigy,theveryimageofthebachelorSansonCarrasco!As
soonashesawithecalledoutinaloudvoice,"Makehastehere,Sancho,andbehold
whatthouarttoseebutnottobelieve;quick,myson,andlearnwhatmagiccando,
andwizardsandenchantersarecapableof."
Sanchocameup,andwhenhesawthecountenanceofthebachelorCarrasco,hefell
tocrossinghimselfathousandtimes,andblessinghimselfasmanymore.Allthis
timetheprostrateknightshowednosignsoflife,andSanchosaidtoDonQuixote,"It
ismyopinion,seor,thatinanycaseyourworshipshouldtakeandthrustyour
sworddownthethroatofthisoneherethatlookslikethebachelorSansonCarrasco;
perhapsinhimyouwillkilloneofyourenemies,theenchanters."
179
"Thyadviceisnotbad,"saidDonQuixote,"forofenemiesthefewerthebetter;"and
hewasdrawinghisswordtocarryintoeffectSancho'scounselandsuggestion,
whenthesquireoftheMirrorscameup,nowwithoutthenosewhichhadmadehim
sohideous,andcriedoutinaloudvoice,"Mindwhatyouareabout,SeorDon
Quixote;thatisyourfriend,thebachelorSansonCarrasco,youhaveatyourfeet,and
Iamhissquire."
"Andthenose?"saidSancho,seeinghimwithoutthehideousfeaturehehadbefore;
towhichhereplied,"Ihaveithereinmypocket,"andputtinghishandintohisright
pocket,hepulledoutafalsenoseofvarnishedpasteboardofthemakealready
described;andSancho,examininghimmoreandmoreclosely,exclaimedaloudina
voiceofamazement,"HolyMarybegoodtome!Isn'titTomCecial,myneighbor
andgossip?"
"Why,tobesureIam!"returnedthenowunnosedsquire;"TomCecialIam,gossip
andfriendSanchoPanza;andI'lltellyoupresentlythemeansandtricksand
falsehoodsbywhichIhavebeenbroughthere;butinthemeantime,begandentreat
ofyourmasternottotouch,maltreat,wound,orslaytheKnightoftheMirrors
whomhehasathisfeet;because,beyondalldispute,itistherashandilladvised
bachelorSansonCarrasco,ourfellowtownsman."
AtthismomentheoftheMirrorscametohimself,andDonQuixoteperceivingit,
heldthenakedpointofhisswordoverhisface,andsaidtohim,"Youareadead
man,knight,unlessyouconfessthatthepeerlessDulcineadelTobosoexcelsyour
CasildeadeVandaliainbeauty;andinadditiontothisyoumustpromise,ifyou
shouldsurvivethisencounter,togotothecityofElTobosoandpresentyourself
beforeheronmybehalf,thatshedealwithyouaccordingtohergoodpleasure;and
ifsheleavesyoufreetodoyours,youareinlikemannertoreturnandseekmeout
(forthetrailofmymightydeedswillserveyouasaguidetoleadyoutowhereImay
be),andtellmewhatmayhavepassedbetweenyouandherconditionswhich,in
accordancewithwhatwestipulatedbeforeourcombat,donottransgressthejust
limitsofknighterrantry."
"Iconfess,"saidthefallenknight,"thatthedirtytatteredshoeoftheladyDulcinea
delTobosoisbetterthantheillcombedthoughcleanbeardofCasildea;andI
promisetogoandtoreturnfromherpresencetoyours,andtogiveyouafulland
particularaccountofallyoudemandofme."
"Youmustalsoconfessandbelieve,"addedDonQuixote,"thattheknightyou
vanquishedwasnotandcouldnotbeDonQuixoteofLaMancha,butsomeoneelse
inhislikeness,justasIconfessandbelievethatyou,thoughyouseemtobethe
bachelorSansonCarrasco,arenotso,butsomeotherresemblinghim,whommy
enemieshavehereputbeforemeinhisshape,inorderthatImayrestrainand
moderatethevehemenceofmywrath,andmakeagentleuseofthegloryofmy
victory."
"Iconfess,think,andfeeleverythingthatyoufeel,think,andbelieve,"saidthe
crippledknight;"letmerise,Ientreatyou;if,indeed,theshockofmyfallwillallow
me,forIaminverybadshape."
DonQuixotehelpedhimtorise,withtheassistanceofhissquireTomCecial;from
whomSanchonevertookhiseyes,andtowhomheputquestions,therepliesto
whichfurnishedclearproofthathewasreallyandtrulytheTomCecialhesaid;but
theimpressionmadeonSancho'smindbywhathismastersaidaboutthe
enchantershavingchangedthefaceoftheKnightoftheMirrorsintothatofthe
bachelorSansonCarrasco,wouldnotpermithimtobelievewhathesawwithhis
eyes.Infine,bothmasterandmanremainedunderthedelusion;and,downinthe
mouth,andoutofluck,heoftheMirrorsandhissquirepartedfromDonQuixote
andSancho,hemeaningtogolookforsomevillagewherehecouldplasterandstrap
hisribs.DonQuixoteandSanchoresumedtheirjourneytoSaragossa,andonitthe
181
historyleavestheminorderthatitmaytellwhotheKnightoftheMirrorsandhis
longnosedsquirewere.
182
CHAPTERXV.
WHEREINITISTOLDANDKNOWNWHOTHEKNIGHTOFTHEMIRRORSANDHIS
SQUIREWERE
DonQuixotewentoffsatisfied,elated,andvaingloriousinthehighestdegreeat
havingwonavictoryoversuchavaliantknightashefanciedhimoftheMirrorsto
be,andonefromwhoseknightlywordheexpectedtolearnwhetherthe
enchantmentofhisladystillcontinued;inasmuchasthesaidvanquishedknightwas
bound,underthepenaltyofceasingtobeone,toreturnandrenderhimanaccount
ofwhattookplacebetweenhimandher.ButDonQuixotewasofonemind,heofthe
Mirrorsofanother,forhejustthenhadnothoughtofanythingbutfindingsome
villagewherehecouldplasterhimself,ashasbeenstatedalready.
Thehistorygoesontosay,then,thatwhenthebachelorSansonCarrascosuggested
toDonQuixotethatheresumehisknighterrantrywhichhehadlaidaside,itwasas
aresultofhavingpreviouslymetwiththecurateandthebarbertodecidehowbest
toinduceDonQuixotetostayathomeinpeacewithoutworryinghimselfwithhis
illstarredadventures.Atthisconsultationitwasdecidedbytheunanimousvoteof
all,andonthespecialadviceofCarrasco,thatDonQuixoteshouldbeallowedtogo,
asitseemedimpossibletorestrainhim,andthatSansonshouldsallyforthtomeet
himasaknighterrant,anddobattlewithhim,fortherewouldbenodifficultyin
findingacause,andvanquishhimthatbeinglookeduponasaneasymatter;and
thatitshouldbeagreedandsettledthatthevanquishedwastobeatthemercyof
thevictor.Then,DonQuixotebeingvanquished,thebachelorknightwasto
commandhimtoreturntohisvillageandhishouse,andnotquititfortwoyears,or
untilhereceivedfurtherordersfromhim.AnditwasassumedthatDonQuixote
wouldunhesitatinglyobey,ratherthancontraveneorfailtoobservethelawsof
chivalry;andduringtheperiodofhisseclusionhemightperhapsforgethisfolly,or
theremightbeanopportunityofdiscoveringsomeremedyforhismadness.
Carrascoundertookthetask,andTomCecial,agossipandneighborofSancho
183
Panza's,alively,featherheadedfellow,offeredhimselfashissquire.Carrasco
armedhimselfinthefashiondescribed,andTomCecial,thathemightnotbe
knownbyhisgossipwhentheymet,fittedonoverhisownnaturalnosethefalse
onethathasbeenmentioned;andsotheyfollowedthesamerouteDonQuixote
took,andalmostcameupwithhimintimetobepresentattheadventureofthecart
ofDeathandfinallyencounteredthemintheWood,whereallthatthesagacious
readerhasbeenreadingabouttookplace;andhaditnotbeenfortheextraordinary
fanciesofDonQuixote,andhisconvictionthatthebachelorwasnotthebachelor,
seorbachelorwouldhavebeenincapacitatedforeverfromtakinghisdegreeof
licentiate,allthroughnotfindingnestswherehethoughttofindbirds.
TomCecial,seeinghowilltheyhadsucceeded,andwhatasorryendtheir
expeditionhadcometo,saidtothebachelor,"Surely,SeorSansonCarrasco,weare
servedright;itiseasyenoughtoplanandsetaboutanenterprise,butitisoftena
difficultmattertomakeitcomeoutwell.DonQuixoteamadman,andwesane;he
goesofflaughing,safe,andsound,andyouareleftsoreandsorry!I'dliketoknow
nowwhichisthecrazier,hewhoiscrazybecausehecannothelpit,orhewhoturns
crazyofhisownfreewill?"
TowhichSansonreplied,"Thedifferencebetweenthetwoliesinthis:thathewho
cannothelpbeingcrazywillalwaysbeso,whereastheonewhoiscrazybychoice
canleaveoffbeingcrazywheneverhelikes."
"Inthatcase,"saidTomCecial,"IwasamadmanofmyownfreewillwhenI
volunteeredtobecomeyoursquire,andnow,ofmyownfreewill,I'llleaveoffbeing
oneandgohome."
"That'syouraffair,"returnedSanson,"buttosupposethatIamgoinghomeuntilI
havegivenDonQuixoteathrashingisabsurd;andwhatwillurgemeonnowisnot
anydesiretoseehimrecoverhiswits,butratherathirstforvengeance,forthesore
paininmyribswon'tletmeentertainanymorecharitablethoughts."
184
Thusdiscoursing,thepairproceededuntiltheyreachedatownwhereitwastheir
goodlucktofindabonesetter,withwhosehelptheunfortunateSansonwascured.
TomCeciallefthimandwenthome,whilehestayedbehindmeditatingvengeance;
andthehistorywillreturntohimagainatthepropertime,soasnottoomitmaking
merrywithDonQuixotenow.
185
CHAPTERXVI.
OFWHATBEFELLDONQUIXOTEWITHADISCREETGENTLEMANOFLAMANCHA
DonQuixotepursuedhisjourneyinthehighspirits,satisfaction,andself
complacencyalreadydescribed,fancyinghimselfthemostvalorousknighterrantof
theageintheworldbecauseofhislatevictory.Alltheadventuresthatcouldbefall
himfromthattimeforthheregardedasalreadydoneandbroughttoahappyissue;
hemadelightofenchantmentsandenchanters;hethoughtnomoreofthecountless
drubbingsthathadbeenadministeredtohiminthecourseofhisknighterrantry,
norofthevolleyofstonesthathadleveledhalfhisteeth,noroftheingratitudeofthe
galleyslaves,noroftheaudacityoftheYanguesansandtheshowerofstakesthat
felluponhim;inshort,hesaidtohimselfthatcouldhediscoveranymeans,mode,or
wayofdisenchantinghisladyDulcinea,hewouldnotenvythehighestfortunethat
themostfortunateknighterrantofyoreeverreachedorcouldreach.
Hewasgoingalongentirelyabsorbedinthesefancies,whenSanchosaidtohim,
"Isn'titodd,seor,thatIhavestillbeforemyeyesthatmonstrousenormousnoseof
mygossip,TomCecial?"
"Anddostthou,then,believe,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote,"thattheKnightofthe
MirrorswasthebachelorCarrasco,andhissquireTomCecialthygossip?"
"Idon'tknowwhattosaytothat,"repliedSancho;"allIknowisthatthetokenshe
gavemeaboutmyownhouse,wifeandchildren,nobodyelsebuthimselfcouldhave
givenme;andtheface,oncethenosewasoff,wastheveryfaceofTomCecial,asI
haveseenitmanyatimeinmytownandnextdoortomyownhouse;andthesound
ofthevoicewasjustthesame."
"Letusreasonthematter,Sancho,"saidDonQuixote."Comenow,bywhatprocess
ofthinkingcanitbesupposedthatthebachelorSansonCarrascowouldcomeasa
knighterrant,inarmsoffensiveanddefensive,tofightwithme?HaveIeverbeenby
anychancehisenemy?HaveIevergivenhimanyoccasiontoowemeagrudge?Am
Ihisrival,ordoesheprofessarms,thatheshouldenvythefameIhaveacquiredin
them?"
"Well,butwhatarewetosay,seor,"returnedSancho,"aboutthatknight,whoever
heis,beingsolikethebachelorCarrasco,andhissquiresolikemygossip,Tom
Cecial?Andifthatbeenchantment,asyourworshipsays,wastherenootherpairin
theworldforthemtotakethelikenessof?"
"Itisall,"saidDonQuixote,"aschemeandplotofthemalignantsorcerersthat
persecuteme,who,foreseeingthatIwastobevictoriousintheconflict,arranged
thatthevanquishedknightshoulddisplaythecountenanceofmyfriendthe
bachelor,inorderthatthefriendshipIbearhimshouldinterposetostaytheedgeof
myswordandmightofmyarm,andtemperthejustwrathofmyheart;sothathe
whosoughttotakemylifebyfraudandfalsehoodshouldsavehisown.Andto
proveit,thouknowestalready,Sancho,byexperiencewhichcannotlieordeceive,
howeasyitisforenchanterstochangeonecountenanceintoanother,turningfair
intofoul,andfoulintofair;foritisnottwodayssincethousawestwiththineown
eyesthebeautyandeleganceofthepeerlessDulcineainallitsperfectionand
naturalharmony,whileIsawherintherepulsiveandmeanformofacoarse
countrywench,withcataractsinhereyesandafoulsmellinhermouth;andwhen
theperverseenchanterventuredtoeffectsowickedatransformation,itisno
wonderifheeffectedthatofSansonCarrascoandthygossipinordertosnatchthe
gloryofvictoryoutofmygrasp.Forallthat,however,Iconsolemyself,because,
afterall,inwhatevershapehemayhavebeen,Ihavebeenvictoriousovermy
enemy."
187
"Godknowswhat'sthetruthofitall,"saidSancho;andknowingashedidthatthe
transformationofDulcineahadbeenadeviceandimpositionofhisown,his
master'sillusionswerenotsatisfactorytohim;buthedidnotliketoreplylesthe
shouldsaysomethingthatmightdisclosehistrickery.
Astheywereengagedinthisconversationtheywereovertakenbyamanwhowas
followingthesameroadbehindthem,mountedonaveryhandsomefleabitten
mare,anddressedinagaban44offinegreencloth,trimmedwithtawnyvelvet
facings,andamontera45ofthesamevelvet.Thesaddleofthemarewasofthejineta
fashion,46andofmulberrycolorandgreen.HecarriedaMoorishcutlasshanging
fromabroadgreenandgoldbaldric;thebuskinswereofthesamemakeasthe
baldric;thespurswerenotgilt,butlacqueredgreen,andsobrightlypolishedthat,
matchingastheydidtherestofhisapparel,theylookedbetterthaniftheyhadbeen
ofpuregold.
Whenthetravelercameupwiththemhesalutedthemcourteously,andspurringhis
marewaspassingthemwithoutstopping,butDonQuixotecalledouttohim,
"Gallantsir,ifsobeyourworshipisgoingourroad,andhasnooccasionforspeed,it
wouldbeapleasuretomeifweweretojoincompany."
"Intruth,"repliedheonthemare,"Iwouldnotpassyousohastilybutforfearthat
horsemightturnrestiveinthecompanyofmymare."
"Youmaysafelyholdinyourmare,seor,"saidSanchoinreplytothis,"forour
horseisthemostvirtuousandwellbehavedhorseintheworld;heneverdoes
anythingwrongonsuchoccasions,andtheonlytimehemisbehaved,mymasterand
Isufferedforitsevenfold;Isayagainyourworshipmaypullupifyoulike;forifshe
wasofferedtohimbetweentwoplatesthehorsewouldnothankerafterher."
44Anovercoat.
45Akindofcapmadeofcloth.
46Asaddlewithahighpommelandshortstirrups.
188
Thetravelerdrewrein,amazedatthetrimandfeaturesofDonQuixote,whorode
withouthishelmet,whichSanchocarriedlikeavaliseinfrontoftheDapple'spack
saddle;andifthemaningreenexaminedDonQuixoteclosely,stillmorecloselydid
DonQuixoteexaminethemaningreen,whostruckhimasbeingamanof
intelligence.Inappearancehewasaboutfiftyyearsofage,withbutfewgreyhairs,
anaquilinecastoffeatures,andanexpressionbetweengraveandgay;andhisdress
andaccoutrementsshowedhimtobeamanofgoodcondition.Whatheingreen
thoughtofDonQuixoteofLaManchawasthatamanofthatsortandshapehehad
neveryetseen;hemarveledatthelengthofhishair,hisloftystature,thelankness
andsallownessofhiscountenance,hisarmor,hisbearingandhisgravityafigure
andpicturesuchashadnotbeenseeninthoseregionsformanyalongday.
DonQuixotesawveryplainlytheattentionwithwhichthetravelerwasregarding
him,andreadhiscuriosityinhisastonishment;andcourteousashewasandready
topleaseeverybody,beforetheothercouldaskhimanyquestionheanticipatedhim
bysaying,"TheappearanceIpresenttoyourworshipbeingsostrangeandsooutof
thecommon,Ishouldnotbesurprisedifitfilledyouwithwonder;butyouwill
ceasetowonderwhenItellyou,asIdo,thatIamoneofthoseknightswho,as
peoplesay,goseekingadventures.Ihaveleftmyhome,Ihavemortgagedmyestate,
Ihavegivenupmycomforts,andcommittedmyselftothearmsofFortune,tobear
mewhithersoevershemayplease.Mydesirewastobringtolifeagainknight
errantry,nowdead,andforsometimepast,stumblinghere,fallingthere,now
comingdownheadlong,nowraisingmyselfupagain,Ihavecarriedoutagreat
portionofmydesign,succoringwidows,protectingmaidens,andgivingaidto
wives,orphans,andminors,theproperandnaturaldutyofknightserrant;and,
therefore,becauseofmymanyvaliantandChristianachievements,Ihavebeen
alreadyfoundworthytomakemywayinprinttowellnighall,ormost,ofthe
nationsoftheearth.Thirtythousandvolumesofmyhistoryhavebeenprinted,and
itisonthehighroadtobeprintedthirtythousandthousandsoftimes,ifheaven
doesnotputastoptoit.Inshort,tosumupallinafewwords,orinasingleone,I
189
maytellyouIamDonQuixoteofLaMancha,otherwisecalled'TheKnightofthe
MournfulCountenance;'forthoughselfpraiseisdegrading,Imustperforcesound
myownhornsometimes,thatistosay,whenthereisnooneathandtodoitforme.
Sothat,gentlesir,neitherthishorse,northislance,northisshield,northissquire,
norallthesearmsputtogether,northesallownessofmycountenance,normy
gauntleanness,willhenceforthastonishyou,nowthatyouknowwhoIamandwhat
professionIfollow."
WiththesewordsDonQuixoteheldhispeace,and,fromthetimehetooktoanswer,
themaningreenseemedtobeatalossforareply;afteralongpause,however,he
saidtohim,"Youwererightwhenyousawcuriosityinmyamazement,sirknight;
butyouhavenotsucceededinremovingtheastonishmentIfeelatseeingyou;for
althoughyousay,seor,thatknowingwhoyouareoughttoremoveit,ithasnot
doneso;onthecontrary,nowthatIknow,Iamleftmoreamazedandastonished
thanbefore.What!isitpossiblethatthereareknightserrantintheworldinthese
days,andhistoriesofrealchivalryprinted?Icannotrealizethefactthattherecanbe
anyoneonearthnowadayswhoaidswidows,orprotectsmaidens,ordefendswives,
orsuccorsorphans;norshouldIbelieveithadInotseenitinyourworshipwithmy
owneyes.Blessedbeheaven!forbymeansofthishistoryofyournobleandgenuine
chivalrousdeeds,whichyousayhasbeenprinted,thecountlessstoriesoffictitious
knightserrantwithwhichtheworldisfilled,somuchtotheinjuryofmoralityand
theprejudiceanddiscreditofgoodhistories,willhavebeendrivenintooblivion."
"Thereisagooddealtobesaidonthatpoint,"saidDonQuixote,"astowhetherthe
historiesoftheknightserrantarefictionornot."
"Why,isthereanyonewhodoubtsthatthosehistoriesarefalse?"saidthemanin
green.
"Idoubtit,"saidDonQuixote,"butnevermindthatjustnow;ifourjourneylasts
longenough,ItrustinGodIshallshowyourworshipthatyoudowrongingoing
withthestreamofthosewhoregarditasamatterofcertaintythattheyarenot
true."
FromthislastobservationofDonQuixote's,thetravelerbegantohaveasuspicion
thathewassomecrazybeing,andwaswaitinghimtoconfirmitbysomething
further;butbeforetheycouldturntoanynewsubjectDonQuixotebeggedhimto
tellhimwhohewas,sincehehimselfhadrenderedaccountofhisstationandlife.To
this,heinthegreengabanreplied"I,SirKnightoftheMournfulCountenance,ama
gentlemanbybirth,nativeofthevillagewhere,pleaseGod,wearegoingtodine
today;Iammorethanfairlywelloff,andmynameisDonDiegodeMiranda.Ipass
mylifewithmywife,children,andfriends;mypursuitsarehuntingandfishing,but
Ikeepneitherhawksnorgreyhounds,nothingbutatamepartridge47orabold
ferretortwo;Ihavesixdozenorsoofbooks,someinourmothertongue,some
Latin,someofthemhistory,othersdevotional;thoseofchivalryhavenotasyet
crossedthethresholdofmydoor;Iammoregiventoreadingtheprofanethanthe
devotional,solongastheyarebooksofhonestentertainmentthatcharmbytheir
styleandattractandinterestbytheinventiontheydisplay,thoughofthesethereare
veryfewinSpain.SometimesIdinewithmyneighborsandfriends,andofteninvite
them;myentertainmentsareneatandwellservedwithoutstintofanything.Ihave
notastefortattle,nordoIallowtattlinginmypresence;Iprynotintomy
neighborslives,norhaveIlynxeyesforwhatothersdo.Ihearmasseveryday;I
sharemysubstancewiththepoor,makingnodisplayofgoodworks,lestIlet
hypocrisyandvainglory,thoseenemiesthatsubtlytakepossessionofthemost
watchfulheart,findanentranceintomine.Istrivetomakepeacebetweenthose
whomIknowtobeatvariance;IamthedevotedservantofOurLady,andmytrust
iseverintheinfinitemercyofGodourLord."
Sancholistenedwiththegreatestattentiontotheaccountofthegentleman'slifeand
occupation;andthinkingitagoodandaholylife,andthathewholeditoughtto
47Usedasadecoy.
191
workmiracles,hethrewhimselfofftheDapple,andrunninginhasteseizedhisright
stirrupandkissedhisfootagainandagainwithadevoutheartandalmostwith
tears.
Seeingthisthegentlemanaskedhim,"Whatareyouabout,brother?Whatarethese
kissesfor?"
"Letmekiss,"saidSancho,"forIthinkyourworshipisthefirstsaintinthesaddleI
eversawallthedaysofmylife."
"Iamnosaint,"repliedthegentleman,"butagreatsinner;butyouare,brother,for
youmustbeagoodfellow,asyoursimplicityshows."
Sanchowentbackandregainedhispacksaddle,havingextractedalaughfromhis
master'sprofoundmelancholy,andexcitedfreshamazementinDonDiego.Don
Quixotethenaskedhimhowmanychildrenhehad,andobservedthatoneofthe
thingswhereintheancientphilosophers,whowerewithoutthetrueknowledgeof
God,placedthehighestgoodwasinthegiftsofnature,inthoseoffortune,inhaving
manyfriends,andmanyandgoodchildren.
"I,SeorDonQuixote,"answeredthegentleman,"haveoneson,withoutwhom,
perhaps,IshouldcountmyselfhappierthanIam,notbecauseheisabadson,but
becauseheisnotsogoodasIcouldwish.Heiseighteenyearsofage;hehasbeenfor
sixatSalamancastudyingLatinandGreek,andwhenIwishedhimtoturntothe
studyofothersciencesIfoundhimsowrappedupinthatofpoetry(ifthatcanbe
calledascience)thatthereisnogettinghimtotakekindlytothelaw,whichI
wishedhimtostudy,ortotheology,thequeenofthemall.Iwouldlikehimtobean
honortohisfamily,asweliveindayswhenourkingsliberallyrewardlearningthat
isvirtuousandworthy;forlearningwithoutvirtueisapearlonadunghill.He
spendsthewholedayinsettlingwhetherHomerexpressedhimselfcorrectlyornot
insuchandsuchalineoftheIliad,whetherMartialwasindecentornotinsuchand
suchanepigram,whethersuchandsuchlinesofVirgilaretobeunderstoodinthis
wayorinthat;inshort,allhistalkisoftheworksofthesepoets,andthoseof
Horace,Perseus,Juvenal,andTibullus;forofthemodernsinourownlanguagehe
makesnogreataccount;butwithallhisseemingindifferencetoSpanishpoetry,just
nowhisthoughtsareabsorbedinmakingaglossonfourlinesthathavebeensent
himfromSalamanca,whichIsuspectareforsomepoeticaltournament."
ToallthisDonQuixotesaidinreply,"Children,seor,areportionsoftheirparents'
bowels,andtherefore,betheygoodorbad,aretobelovedaswelovethesoulsthat
giveuslife;itisfortheparentstoguidethemfrominfancyinthewaysofvirtue,
propriety,andworthyChristianconduct,sothatwhengrownuptheymaybethe
staffoftheirparents'oldage,andthegloryoftheirposterity;andtoforcethemto
studythisorthatscienceIdonotthinkwise,thoughitmaybenoharmtopersuade
them;andwhenthereisnoneedtostudyforthesakeofpanelucrando48,anditis
thestudent'sgoodfortunethatheavenhasgivenhimparentswhoprovidehimwith
it,itwouldbemyadvicetothemtolethimpursuewhateversciencetheymaysee
himmostinclinedto;andthoughthatofpoetryislessusefulthanpleasurable,itis
notoneofthosethatbringdiscredituponthepossessor.Poetry,gentlesir,is,asI
takeit,likeatenderyoungmaidenofsupremebeauty,toarray,bedeck,andadorn
whomisthetaskofseveralothermaidens,whoarealltherestofthesciences;and
shemustavailherselfofthehelpofall,andallderivetheirlusterfromher.Butthis
maidenwillnotbeartobehandled,nordraggedthroughthestreets,norexposed
eitheratthecornersofthemarketplaces,orintheclosetsofpalaces.Sheisthe
productofanAlchemyofsuchvirtuethathewhoisabletopracticeit,willturnher
intopuregoldofinestimableworth.Hethatpossesseshermustkeepherwithin
bounds,notpermittinghertobreakoutinribaldsatiresorsoullesssonnets.She
mustonnoaccountbeofferedforsale,unless,indeed,itbeinheroicpoems,moving
tragedies,orsprightlyandingeniouscomedies.Shemustnotbetouchedbythe
buffoons,norbytheignorantvulgar,incapableofcomprehendingorappreciating
48Earningonesbread.
193
herhiddentreasures.Anddonotsuppose,seor,thatIapplythetermvulgarhere
merelytoplebeiansandthelowerorders;foreveryonewhoisignorant,behelord
orprince,mayandshouldbeincludedamongthevulgar.He,then,whoshall
embraceandcultivatepoetryundertheconditionsIhavenamed,shallbecome
famous,andhisnamehonoredthroughoutallthecivilizednationsoftheearth.And
withregardtowhatyousay,seor,ofyoursonhavingnogreatopinionofSpanish
poetry,Iaminclinedtothinkthatheisnotquiterightthere,andforthisreason:the
greatpoetHomerdidnotwriteinLatin,becausehewasaGreek,nordidVirgilwrite
inGreek,becausehewasaLatin;inshort,alltheancientpoetswroteinthe
languagetheyimbibedwiththeirmother'smilk,andneverwentinquestofforeign
onestoexpresstheirsublimeconceptions;andthatbeingso,theusageshouldin
justiceextendtoallnations,andtheGermanpoetshouldnotbeundervalued
becausehewritesinhisownlanguage,northeCastilian,noreventheBiscayan,for
writinginhis.Butyourson,seor,Isuspect,isnotprejudicedagainstSpanish
poetry,butagainstthosepoetswhoaremereSpanishversewriters,withoutany
knowledgeofotherlanguagesorsciencestoadornandgivelifeandvigortotheir
naturalinspiration;andyeteveninthishemaybewrong;for,accordingtoatrue
belief,apoetisbornone;thatistosay,thepoetbynaturecomesforthapoetfrom
hismother'swomb;andfollowingthebentthatheavenhasbestoweduponhim,
withouttheaidofstudyorart,heproducesthingsthatshowhowtrulyhespoke
whosaid,'EstDeusinnobis,'etc.49Atthesametime,Isaythatthepoetbynature
whocallsinarttohisaidwillbeafarbetterpoet,andwillsurpasshimwhotriesto
beonerelyinguponhisknowledgeofartalone.Thereasonis,thatartdoesnot
surpassnature,butonlybringsittoperfection;andthus,naturecombinedwithart,
andartwithnature,willproduceaperfectpoet.Tobringmyargumenttoaclose,I
wouldsaythen,gentlesir,letyoursongoonashisstarleadshim,forbeingso
studiousasheseemstobe,andhavingalreadysuccessfullysurmountedthefirst
stepofthesciences,whichisthatofthelanguages,withtheirhelphewillbyhisown
exertionsreachthesummitofpoliteliterature,whichsowellbecomesan
49Thereisagodinus.
independentgentleman,andadorns,honors,anddistinguisheshim,asmuchasthe
miterdoesthebishop,orthegownthelearnedcounselor.Ifyoursonwritesatires
reflectingonthehonorofothers,chideandcorrecthim,andtearthemup;butifhe
composediscoursesinwhichherebukesviceingeneral,inthestyleofHorace,and
withelegancelikehis,commendhim;foritislegitimateforapoettowriteagainst
envyandlashtheenviousinhisverse,andtheothervicestoo,providedhedoesnot
singleoutindividuals;thereare,however,poetswho,forthesakeofsaying
somethingspiteful,wouldruntheriskofbeingbanishedtothecoastofPontus.50If
thepoetbepureinhismorals,hewillbepureinhisversestoo;thepenisthe
tongueofthemind,andasthethoughtengenderedthere,sowillbethethingsthatit
writesdown.Andwhenkingsandprincesobservethismarvelousscienceofpoetry
inwise,virtuous,andthoughtfulsubjects,theyhonor,value,exaltthem,andeven
crownthemwiththeleavesofthattreewhichthethunderboltstrikesnot,51asifto
showthattheywhosebrowsarehonoredandadornedwithsuchacrownarenotto
beassailedbyanyone."
HeofthegreengabanwasfilledwithastonishmentatDonQuixote'sargument,so
muchsothathebegantoabandonthenotionhehadtakenupabouthisbeingcrazy.
Butinthemiddleofthediscourse,itbeingnotverymuchtohistaste,Sanchohad
turnedasideoutoftheroadtobegalittlemilkfromsomeshepherds,whowere
milkingtheireweshardby;andjustasthegentleman,highlypleased,wasaboutto
renewtheconversation,DonQuixote,raisinghishead,perceivedacartcovered
withroyalflagscomingalongtheroadtheyweretravelling;andpersuadedthatthis
mustbesomenewadventure,hecalledaloudtoSanchotocomeandbringhimhis
helmet.Sancho,hearinghimselfcalled,quittedtheshepherds,and,proddingthe
Dapplevigorously,cameuptohismaster,towhomtherefellaterrificanddesperate
adventure.
50AswasOvidbyAugustusin8A.D.
51Thelaureltree.
195
CHAPTERXVII.
WHEREINISSHOWNTHEFURTHESTANDHIGHESTPOINTWHICHTHE
UNEXAMPLEDCOURAGEOFDONQUIXOTEREACHEDORCOULDREACH;
TOGETHERWITHTHEHAPPILYACHIEVEDADVENTUREOFTHELIONS
ThehistorytellsthatwhenDonQuixotecalledouttoSanchotobringhimhis
helmet,Sanchowasbuyingsomecurdstheshepherdsagreedtosellhim,and
flurriedbythegreathastehismasterwasindidnotknowwhattodowiththemor
whattocarrythemin;so,nottolosethem,forhehadalreadypaidforthem,he
thoughtitbesttothrowthemintohismaster'shelmet,andactingonthisbrightidea
hewenttoseewhathismasterwantedwithhim.He,asheapproached,exclaimedto
him:
"Givemethathelmet,myfriend,foreitherIknowlittleofadventures,orwhatI
observeyonderisonethatwill,anddoes,calluponmetoarmmyself."
Heofthegreengaban,onhearingthis,lookedinalldirections,butcouldperceive
nothing,exceptacartcomingtowardsthemwithtwoorthreesmallflags,whichled
himtoconcludeitmustbecarryingtreasureoftheKing's,andhesaidsotoDon
Quixote.He,however,wouldnotbelievehim,beingalwayspersuadedand
convincedthatallthathappenedtohimmustbeadventuresandstillmore
adventures;soherepliedtothegentleman,"Hewhoispreparedhashisbattlehalf
fought;nothingislostbymypreparingmyself,forIknowbyexperiencethatIhave
enemies,visibleandinvisible,andIknownotwhen,orwhere,oratwhatmoment,
orinwhatshapestheywillattackme;"andturningtoSanchohecalledforhis
helmet;andSancho,ashehadnotimetotakeoutthecurds,hadtogiveitjustasit
was.DonQuixotetookit,andwithoutperceivingwhatwasinitthrustitdowninhot
hasteuponhishead;butasthecurdswerepressedandsqueezedthewheybeganto
runalloverhisfaceandbeard,whereathewassostartledthathecriedoutto
Sancho:
196
"Sancho,what'sthis?Ithinkmyheadissoftening,ormybrainsaremelting,orIam
sweatingfromheadtofoot!IfIamsweatingitisnotindeedfromfear.Iam
convincedbeyondadoubtthattheadventurewhichisabouttobefallmeisa
terribleone.Givemesomethingtowipemyselfwith,ifthouhastit,forthisprofuse
sweatisblindingme."
Sanchoheldhistongue,andgavehimacloth,andgavethankstoGodatthesame
timethathismasterhadnotfoundoutwhatwasthematter.DonQuixotethen
wipedhimself,andtookoffhishelmettoseewhatitwasthatmadehisheadfeelso
cool,andseeingallthatwhitemashinsidehishelmetheputittohisnose,andas
soonashehadsmeltitheexclaimed:
"BythelifeofmyladyDulcineadelToboso,butitiscurdsthouhastputhere,thou
treacherous,impudent,illmanneredsquire!"
Towhich,withgreatcomposureandpretendedinnocence,Sanchoreplied,"Ifthey
arecurdsletmehavethem,yourworship,andI'lleatthem;butletthedevileat
them,foritmusthavebeenhewhoputthemthere.I,daretodirtyyourhelmet!
Youhaveguessedtheoffenderfinely!Faith,sir,bythelightGodgivesme,itseemsI
musthaveenchanterstoo,thatpersecutemeasacreatureandlimbofyourworship,
andtheymusthaveputthatnastinessthereinordertoprovokeyourpatienceto
anger,andmakeyoubastemyribsasyouarewonttodo.Well,thistime,indeed,
theyhavemissedtheiraim,forItrusttomymaster'sgoodsensetoseethatIhave
gotnocurdsormilk,oranythingofthesort;andthatifIhad,itisinmystomachI
wouldputit,andnotinthehelmet."
"Maybeso,"saidDonQuixote.Allthisthegentlemanwasobserving,andwith
astonishment,moreespeciallywhen,afterhavingwipedhimselfclean,hishead,
face,beard,andhelmet,DonQuixoteputiton,andsettlinghimselffirmlyinhis
197
stirrups,easinghisswordinthescabbard,andgraspinghislance,hecried,"Now,
comewhowill,hereamI,readytotryconclusionswithSatanhimselfinperson!"
Bythistimethecartwiththeflagshadcomeup,unattendedbyanyoneexceptthe
carteronamule,andamansittinginfront.DonQuixoteplantedhimselfbeforeit
andsaid,"Whitherareyougoing,brothers?Whatcartisthis?Whathaveyougotin
it?Whatflagsarethose?"
Tothisthecarterreplied,"Thecartismine;whatisinitisapairofwildcagedlions,
whichthegovernorofOranissendingtocourtasapresenttohisMajesty;andthe
flagsareourlordtheKing's,toshowthatwhatishereishisproperty."
"Andarethelionslarge?"askedDonQuixote.
"Solarge,"repliedthemanwhosatatthedoorofthecart,"thatlarger,oraslarge,
havenevercrossedfromAfricatoSpain;Iamthekeeper,andIhavebroughtover
others,butneveranylikethese.Theyaremaleandfemale;themaleisinthatfirst
cageandthefemaleintheonebehind,andtheyarehungrynow,fortheyhaveeaten
nothingtoday,soletyourworshipstandaside,forwemustmakehastetotheplace
wherewearetofeedthem."
Hereupon,smilingslightly,DonQuixoteexclaimed,"Lionwhelpsagainstme!
Againstmewhelpsoflions,andatsuchatime!Then,byGod!thosegentlemenwho
sendthemhereshallseeifIamamantobefrightenedbylions.Getdown,mygood
fellow,andasyouarethekeeperopenthecages,andturnmeoutthosebeasts,and
inthemidstofthisplainIwillletthemknowwhoDonQuixoteofLaManchais,in
spiteandintheteethoftheenchanterswhosendthemtome."
"So,"saidthegentlemantohimselfatthis;"ourworthyknighthasrevealedhimself;
thecurds,nodoubt,havesoftenedhisskullandbroughthisbrainstoahead."
AtthisinstantSanchocameuptohim,saying,"Seor,forGod'ssakedosomething
tokeepmymaster,DonQuixote,fromtacklingtheselions;forifhedoesthey'lltear
usalltopieceshere."
"Isyourmasterthensocrazy,"askedthegentleman,"thatyoubelieveandareafraid
hewillengagesuchfierceanimals?"
"Heisnotcrazy,"saidSancho,"butheisfoolhardy."
"Iwillpreventit,"saidthegentleman;andgoingovertoDonQuixote,whowas
insistinguponthekeeper'sopeningthecages,hesaidtohim,"Sirknight,knights
errantshouldattemptonlythoseadventuresthataffordthehopeofasuccessful
outcome,notthosewhichareentirelyhopeless;forvalorthatbordersontemerity
savorsmoreofmadnessthanofcourage;moreover,theselionsdonotcometo
opposeyou,nordotheydreamofsuchathing;theyaregoingaspresentstohis
Majesty,anditwillnotberighttostopthemordelaytheirjourney."
"Gentlesir,"repliedDonQuixote,"yougoandmindyourtamepartridgeandyour
boldferret,andleaveeveryonetomanagehisownbusiness;thisaffairismine,andI
knowwhetherthesegentlementhelionscometomeornot;"andthenturningto
thekeeperheexclaimed,"Byallthat'sgood,sirscoundrel,ifyoudon'topenthe
cagesthisveryinstant,I'llpinyoutothecartwiththislance."
Thecarter,seeingthedeterminationofthisapparitioninamour,saidtohim,"Please
yourworship,forcharity'ssake,seor,letmeunyokethemulesandplacemyselfin
safetyalongwiththembeforethelionsareturnedout;foriftheykillthem,Iam
ruinedforlife,forallIpossessisthiscartandmules."
"Omanoflittlefaith,"repliedDonQuixote,"getdownandunyoke;youwillsoonsee
thatyouareexertingyourselffornothing,andthatyoumighthavesparedyourself
thetrouble."
199
Thecartergotdownandwithallspeedunyokedthemules,andthekeepercalled
outatthetopofhisvoice,"Icallallheretowitnessthatagainstmywillandunder
compulsionIopenthecagesandletthelionsloose,andthatIwarnthisgentleman
thathewillbeaccountableforalltheharmandmischiefwhichthesebeastsmaydo,
andformysalaryandduesaswell.You,gentlemen,placeyourselvesinsafety
beforeIopen,forIknowtheywilldomenoharm."
OncemorethegentlemanstrovetopersuadeDonQuixotenottodosuchamad
thing,asitwastemptingGodtoengageinsuchapieceoffolly.Tothis,DonQuixote
repliedthatheknewwhathewasdoing.Thegentlemaninreturnentreatedhimto
reflect,forheknewhewasunderadelusion."Well,seor,"answeredDonQuixote,
"ifyoudonotliketobeaspectatorofthistragedy,asinyouropinionitwillbe,spur
yourfleabittenmare,andplaceyourselfinsafety."
Hearingthis,Sancho,withtearsinhiseyes,entreatedhimtogiveupanenterprise
comparedwithwhichtheoneofthewindmills,andtheawfuloneofthefullingmills,
and,infact,allthefeatshehadattemptedinthewholecourseofhislife,werecakes
andfancybread."Lookye,seor,"saidSancho,"there'snoenchantmenthere,nor
anythingofthesort,forbetweenthebarsandchinksofthecageIhaveseenthepaw
ofareallion,andjudgingbythatIreckonthelionsuchapawcouldbelongtomust
bebiggerthanamountain."
"Fearatanyrate,"repliedDonQuixote,"willmakehimlookbiggertotheethanhalf
theworld.Retire,Sancho,andleaveme;andifIdieherethouknowestourold
compact;thouwiltrepairtoDulcineaIsaynomore."Totheseheaddedsome
furtherwordsthatbanishedallhopeofhisgivinguphisinsaneproject.Heofthe
greengabanwouldhaveofferedresistance,buthefoundhimselfillmatchedasto
arms,anddidnotthinkitprudenttocometoblowswithamadman,forsuchDon
Quixotenowshowedhimselftobeineveryrespect;andthelatter,renewinghis
commandstothekeeperandrepeatinghisthreats,gavewarningtothegentleman
tospurhismare,SanchohisDapple,andthecarterhismules,allstrivingtogetaway
fromthecartasfarastheycouldbeforethelionsbrokeloose.Sanchowasweeping
overhismaster'sdeath,forthistimehefirmlybelieveditwasinstoreforhimfrom
theclawsofthelions;andhecursedhisfateandcalleditanunluckyhourwhenhe
thoughtoftakingservicewithhimagain;butwithallhistearsandlamentationshe
didnotforgettothrashtheDapplesoastoputagoodspacebetweenhimselfand
thecart.Thekeeper,seeingthatthefugitiveswerenowsomedistanceoff,once
moreentreatedandwarnedhimasbefore;butherepliedthatheheardhim,and
thatheneednottroublehimselfwithanyfurtherwarningsorentreaties,asthey
wouldbefruitless,andbadehimmakehaste.
Duringthedelaythatoccurredwhilethekeeperwasopeningthefirstcage,Don
Quixotewasconsideringwhetheritwouldnotbewelltodobattleonfoot,insteadof
onhorseback,andfinallyresolvedtofightonfoot,fearingthatRocinantemighttake
frightatthesightofthelions;hethereforesprangoffhishorse,flunghislanceaside,
bracedhisbuckleronhisarm,anddrawinghissword,advancedslowlywith
marvelousintrepidityandresolutecourage,toplanthimselfinfrontofthecart,
commendinghimselfwithallhishearttoGodandtohisladyDulcinea.
Itistobeobserved,thatoncomingtothispassage,theauthorofthisveracious
historybreaksoutintoexclamations."OgreatsouledDonQuixote!highmettled,
pastextolling!Mirror,whereinalltheheroesoftheworldmayseethemselves!A
newandsecondDonManueldeLen,52oncethegloryandhonorofSpanish
knighthood!InwhatwordsshallIdescribethisdreadexploit,bywhatlanguage
shallImakeitcredibletoagestocome,whateulogiesarethereunmeetforthee,
thoughtheybehyperbolespiledonhyperboles!Onfoot,alone,undaunted,withbut
asimplesword,andthatnotrenchantbladeofthePerrillobrand,ashield,butno
brightpolishedsteelone,therestoodstthou,bidingandawaitingthetwofiercest
lionsthatAfrica'sforestseverbred!Thyowndeedsbethypraise,valiant
52DonManualPoncedeLen,aparagonofgallantryandcourtesyduringthetimeof
FerdinandandIsabella.
201
Manchegan,andhereIleavethemastheystand,wantingthewordswherewithto
glorifythem!"
Heretheauthor'soutburstcametoanend,andheproceededtotakeupthethread
ofhisstory,sayingthatthekeeper,seeingthatDonQuixotehadtakenuphis
position,andthatitwasimpossibleforhimtoavoidlettingoutthemalewithout
incurringtheenmityofthefieryanddaringknight,flungopenthedoorsofthefirst
cage,containing,ashasbeensaid,thelion,whichwasnowseentobeofenormous
size,andgrimandhideousmien.Thefirstthinghedidwastoturnroundinthecage
inwhichhelay,andprotrudehisclaws,andstretchhimselfthoroughly;henext
openedhismouth,andyawnedveryleisurely,andwithneartwopalms'lengthof
tonguethathehadthrustforth,helickedthedustoutofhiseyesandwashedhis
face;havingdonethis,heputhisheadoutofthecageandlookedallroundwitheyes
likeglowingcoals,aspectacleanddemeanortostriketerrorintotemerityitself.
DonQuixotemerelyobservedhimsteadily,longingforhimtoleapfromthecartand
cometoclosequarterswithhim,whenhehopedtohewhiminpieces.
Sofardidhisunparalleledmadnessgo;butthenoblelion,morecourteousthan
arrogant,nottroublinghimselfaboutsillybravado,afterhavinglookedallround,as
hasbeensaid,turnedaboutandpresentedhishindquarterstoDonQuixote,and
verycoollyandtranquillylaydownagaininthecage.Seeingthis,DonQuixote
orderedthekeepertotakeasticktohimandprovokehimtomakehimcomeout.
"ThatIwon't,"saidthekeeper;"forifIangerhim,thefirsthe'lltearinpieceswillbe
myself.Besatisfied,sirknight,withwhatyouhavedone,whichleavesnothingmore
tobesaidonthescoreofcourage,anddonotseektotemptfortuneasecondtime.
Thelionhasthedooropen;heisfreetocomeoutornottocomeout;butashehas
notcomeoutsofar,hewillnotcomeouttoday.Yourworship'sgreatcouragehas
beenfullymanifestedalready;nobravechampion,soitstrikesme,isboundtodo
morethanchallengehisenemyandwaitforhimonthefield;ifhisadversarydoes
notcome,onhimliesthedisgrace,andhewhowaitsforhimcarriesoffthecrownof
victory."
"Thatistrue,"saidDonQuixote;"closethedoor,myfriend,andbearmewitnessas
bestyoucanwithregardtowhatyouhaveseenmedohere.Iwouldhavethee
certifytowit,thatthoudidstopenforthelion,thatIwaitedforhim,thathedidnot
comeout,thatIstillwaitedforhim,andthatstillhedidnotcomeout,andlaydown
again.Iamnotboundtodomore;enchantmentsaway,andGodupholdtheright,the
truth,andtruechivalry!ClosethedoorasIbadethee,whileImakesignalstothe
fugitivesthathaveleftus,thattheymaylearnthisexploitfromthylips."
Thekeeperobeyed,andDonQuixote,fixingonthepointofhislancetheclothhehad
wipedhisfacewithafterthedelugeofcurds,proceededtorecalltheothers,who
stillcontinuedtofly,lookingbackateverystep,allinabody,thegentlemanbringing
uptherear.Sancho,however,happeningtoobservethesignalofthewhitecloth,
exclaimed,"MayIdie,ifmymasterhasnotovercomethewildbeasts,forheis
callingtous."
Theyallstopped,andperceivedthatitwasDonQuixotewhowasmakingsignals,
andshakingofftheirfearstosomeextent,theyapproachedslowlyuntiltheywere
nearenoughtoheardistinctlyDonQuixote'svoicecallingtothem.Theyreturnedat
lengthtothecart,andastheycameup,DonQuixotesaidtothecarter,"Hitchup
yourmulesoncemore,brother,andcontinueyourjourney;anddothou,Sancho,
givehimtwogoldcrownsforhimselfandthekeeper,tocompensateforthedelay
theyhaveincurredthroughme."
"ThatwillIgivewithallmyheart,"saidSancho;"butwhathasbecomeofthelions?
Aretheydeadoralive?"
Thekeeper,then,infulldetail,andbitbybit,describedtheendofthecontest,
exaltingtothebestofhispowerandabilitythevalorofDonQuixote,atthesightof
203
whomthelionquailed,andwouldnotanddarednotcomeoutofthecage,although
hehadheldthedooropeneversolong;andshowinghow,inconsequenceofhis
havingrepresentedtotheknightthatitwastemptingGodtoprovokethelionin
ordertoforcehimout,whichhewishedtohavedone,heveryreluctantly,and
altogetheragainsthiswill,hadallowedthedoortobeclosed.
"Whatdostthouthinkofthis,Sancho?"saidDonQuixote."Arethereany
enchantmentsthatcanprevailagainsttruevalor?Theenchantersmaybeableto
robmeofgoodfortune,butoffortitudeandcouragetheycannot."
Sanchopaidthecrowns,thecarterhitchedhismules,thekeeperkissedDon
Quixote'shandsforthebountybestoweduponhim,andpromisedtogivean
accountofthevaliantexploittotheKinghimself,assoonashesawhimatcourt.
"Then,"saidDonQuixote,"ifhisMajestyshouldhappentoaskwhoperformedit,
youmustsayTHEKNIGHTOFTHELIONS;foritismydesirethatintothisthename
IhavehithertoborneofKnightoftheMournfulCountenancebefromthistime
forwardchanged,altered,transformed,andturned;andinthisIfollowtheancient
usageofknightserrant,whochangedtheirnameswhentheypleased,orwhenit
suitedtheirpurpose."
Thecartwentitsway,andDonQuixote,Sancho,andheofthegreengabanwent
theirs.Allthistime,DonDiegodeMirandahadnotspokenaword,beingentirely
takenupwithobservingandnotingallthatDonQuixotedidandsaid,andthe
opinionheformedwasthathewasamanofbrainsgonemad,andamadmanonthe
vergeofrationality.Thefirstpartofhishistoryhadnotyetreachedhim,for,hadhe
readit,theamazementwithwhichhiswordsanddeedsfilledhimwouldhave
vanished,ashewouldthenhaveunderstoodthenatureofhismadness;butknowing
nothingofit,hetookhimtoberationalonemoment,andcrazythenext,forwhathe
saidwassensible,elegant,andwellexpressed,andwhathedid,absurd,rash,and
foolish;andsaidhetohimself,"Whatcouldbemadderthanputtingonahelmetfull
ofcurds,andthenpersuadingoneselfthatenchantersaresofteningone'sskull;or
whatcouldbegreaterrashnessandfollythanwantingtofightlionsbysheer
strengthalone?"
DonQuixoterousedhimfromthesereflectionsandthissoliloquybysaying,"No
doubt,SeorDonDiegodeMiranda,youmusttakemeforafoolandamadman,and
itwouldbenowonderifyoudid,formydeedsdonotargueanythingelse.Butforall
that,IwouldhaveyoutakenoticethatIamneithersomadnorsofoolishasImust
haveseemedtoyou.Agallantknightlooksgoodbringinghislancetobearadroitly
uponafiercebullundertheeyesofhissovereign,inthemidstofaspaciousplaza;a
knightshowstoadvantagearrayedinglitteringarmor,pacingthelistsbeforethe
ladiesinsomejoyoustournament,andallthoseknightsshowtoadvantagethat
entertain,divert,and,ifwemaysayso,honorthecourtsoftheirprincesbywarlike
exercises,orwhatresemblethem;butthebestshowingofallismadebyaknight
errantwhenhetraversesdeserts,solitudes,crossroads,forests,andmountains,in
questofperilousadventures,bentonbringingthemtoahappyandsuccessfulissue,
alltowinagloriousandlastingrenown.
Moreimpressive,Imaintain,istheknighterrantbringingaidtosomewidowin
somelonelywaste,thanthecourtknightdallyingwithsomecitydamsel.Allknights
havetheirownspecialpartstoplay;letthecourtierdevotehimselftotheladies,let
himaddlustertohissovereign'scourtbyhisliveries,lethimentertainpoor
gentlemenwiththesumptuousfareofhistable,lethimarrangejoustings,marshal
tournaments,andprovehimselfnoble,generous,andmagnificent,andabovealla
goodChristian,andsodoinghewillfulfillthedutiesthatareespeciallyhis.Butlet
theknighterrantexplorethecornersoftheearthandpenetratethemostintricate
labyrinths,ateachsteplethimattemptimpossibilities,ondesolateheathslethim
enduretheburningraysofthemidsummersun,andthebitterinclemencyofthe
winterwindsandfrosts;letnolionsdaunthim,nomonstersterrifyhim,nodragons
makehimquail;fortoseekthenout,toattackthem,andtovanquishthemall,arein
truthhismainduties.I,then,asithasfallentomylottobeaknighterrant,cannot
205
avoidattemptingallthattomeseemstocomewithinthesphereofmyduties;thusit
wasmydutytoattackthoselions,althoughIknewittobeanexceedinglyrashthing
todo.
ForwellIknowthemeaningofvalor:namely,avirtuethatliesbetweenthetwo
extremesofcowardiceontheonehandandtemerityontheother.Itis,nonetheless,
betterforthebravemantocarryhisbraverytothepointofrashnessthanforhimto
sinkintocowardice;for,asitiseasierfortheprodigaltobecomeagenerousman
thanitisforthemiser,soitiseasierforthefoolhardytobecometrulybraveforthe
cowardtorisetotruevalor.Andbelieveme,SeorDonDiego,inthismatterof
adventures,itisbettertolosebyacardtoomanythanbyacardtoofew;fortohear
itsaidthat'suchaknightisrashanddaring,'soundsbetterthan'suchaknightis
timidandacoward.'"
"Imustassureyou,SeorDonQuixote,"saidDonDiego,"thateverythingyouhave
saidanddoneisprovedcorrectbythetestofreasonitself;andIbelieve,ifthelaws
andordinancesofknighterrantryshouldbelost,theymightbefoundagaininyour
Grace;sbosom,whichistheirownproperdepositoryandstorehouse.Butletus
makehaste,andreachmyvillage,whereyoushalltakerestafteryourlateexertions;
forifthebodyisnottired,thespiritmaybe,andthissometimestendstoproduce
bodilyfatigue."
"Itaketheinvitationasagreatflavorandhonor,SeorDonDiego,"repliedDon
Quixote;andpressingforwardatabetterpacethanbefore,atabouttwointhe
afternoontheyreachedthevillageandhouseofDonDiego,or,asDonQuixotecalled
him,"TheKnightoftheGreenGaban."
206
CHAPTERLXIV.
TREATINGOFTHEADVENTUREWHICHGAVEDONQUIXOTEMORE
UNHAPPINESSTHANALLTHATHADHITHERTOBEFALLENHIM
...OnemorningasDonQuixotewentoutforastrollalongthebeach,53arrayedin
fullarmor(for,asheoftensaid,thiswas"hisonlygear,hisonlyrestthefray,"and
heneverwaswithoutitforamoment),hesawcomingtowardshimaknight,alsoin
fullarmor,withashiningmoonpaintedonhisshield,who,onapproaching
sufficientlyneartobeheard,saidinaloudvoice,addressinghimselftoDonQuixote,
"Illustriousknight,andneversufficientlyextolledDonQuixoteofLaMancha,Iam
theKnightoftheWhiteMoon,whoseunheardofachievementswillperhapshave
recalledhimtothymemory.Icometodobattlewiththeeandprovethemightof
thyarm,totheendthatImaketheeacknowledgeandconfessthatmylady,lether
bewhoshemay,isincomparablyfairerthanthyDulcineadelToboso.Ifthoudost
acknowledgethisfairlyandopenly,thoushaltescapedeathandsavemethetrouble
ofinflictingituponthee;ifthoufightestandIvanquishthee,Idemandnoother
satisfactionthanthat,layingasidearmsandabstainingfromgoinginquestof
adventures,thouwithdrawandbetakethyselftothineownvillageforthespaceofa
year,andlivetherewithoutputtinghandtosword,inpeaceandquietandbeneficial
repose,thesamebeingneedfulfortheincreaseofthysubstanceandthesalvationof
thysoul;andifthoudostvanquishme,myheadshallbeatthydisposal,myarms
andhorsethyspoils,andtherenownofmydeedstransferredandaddedtothine.
Considerwhichwillbethybestcourse,andgivemethyanswerspeedily,forthisday
isallthetimeIhaveforthedispatchingofthisbusiness."
53DonQuixoteandSancho,afternumerousencounters(suchasDonQuixotes
descentintothecaveofMontesinosandtheirstaywithaplayfulDuke,whogave
Sanchothegovernorshipofanislandfortendays),arenowinBarcelona.Famous
astheyare,theymeettheviceroyandthenobles;theirhostisDonAntonioMoreno,
agentlemanofwealthanddiscernmentwhowasfondofamusinghimselfinan
innocentandkindlyway.
207
DonQuixotewasamazedandastonished,aswellattheKnightoftheWhiteMoon's
arrogance,asathisreasonfordeliveringthedefiance,andwithcalmdignityhe
answeredhim.
"KnightoftheWhiteMoon,ofwhoseachievementsIhaveneverhearduntilnow,I
willventuretoswearyouhaveneverseentheillustriousDulcinea;forhadyouseen
herIknowyouwouldhavetakencarenottostakeyouralluponthisissue,because
thesightwouldhaveremovedalldoubtfromyourmindthatthereeverhasbeenor
canbeabeautytobecomparedwithhers;andso,notsayingyoulie,butmerelythat
youarenotcorrectinwhatyoustate,Iacceptyourchallenge,withtheconditions
youhaveproposed,andatonce,thatthedayyouhavefixedmaynotexpire;and
fromyourconditionsIexceptonlythatoftherenownofyourachievementsbeing
transferredtome,forIknownotofwhatsorttheyarenorwhattheymayamount
to;Iamsatisfiedwithmyown,suchastheybe.Take,therefore,thesideofthefield
youchoose,andIwilldothesame;andtowhomGodshallgiveit,maySaintPeter
addhisblessing."
TheKnightoftheWhiteMoonhadbeenseenbysomeofthetownspeople,whotold
theviceroythathewastalkingwithDonQuixote.Theviceroy,fancyingitmustbe
somefreshadventuregotupbyDonAntonioMorenoorsomeothergentlemanof
thecity,hurriedoutatoncetothebeach,accompaniedbyDonAntonioandseveral
othergentlemen,justasDonQuixotewaswheelingRocinanteroundinordertotake
upthenecessarydistance.Theviceroyuponthis,seeingthatthepairofthemwere
evidentlypreparingtocometothecharge,puthimselfbetweenthem,askingthem
whatitwasthatledthemtoengageincombatallofasuddeninthisway.TheKnight
oftheWhiteMoonrepliedthatitwasaquestionofprecedenceofbeauty;andbriefly
toldhimwhathehadsaidtoDonQuixote,andhowtheconditionsofthedefiance
agreedupononbothsideshadbeenaccepted.TheviceroywentovertoDon
Antonio,andaskedinalowvoiceifheknewwhotheKnightoftheWhiteMoonwas,
orwasitsomejoketheywereplayingonDonQuixote.DonAntoniorepliedthathe
neitherknewwhohewasnorwhetherthedefiancewasinjokeorinearnest.This
answerlefttheviceroyinastateofperplexity,notknowingwhetherheoughttolet
thecombatgoonornot;butunabletopersuadehimselfthatitwasanythingbuta
jokehefellback,saying,"Iftherebenootherwayoutofit,gallantknights,exceptto
confessordie,andDonQuixoteisinflexible,andyourworshipoftheWhiteMoon
stillmoreso,inGod'shandbeit,andfallon."
HeoftheWhiteMoonthankedtheviceroyincourteousandwellchosenwordsfor
thepermissionhegavethem,andsodidDonQuixote,whothen,commending
himselfwithallhishearttoheavenandtohisDulcinea,aswashiscustomontheeve
ofanycombatthatawaitedhim,proceededtotakealittlemoredistance,ashesaw
hisantagonistwasdoingthesame;then,withoutblastoftrumpetorotherwarlike
instrumenttogivethemthesignaltocharge,bothatthesameinstantwheeledtheir
horses;andheoftheWhiteMoon,beingtheswifter,metDonQuixoteafterhaving
traversedtwothirdsofthecourse,andthereencounteredhimwithsuchviolence
that,withouttouchinghimwithhislance(forheheldithigh,toallappearance
purposely),hehurledDonQuixoteandRocinantetotheearth,aperilousfall.He
spranguponhimatonce,andplacingthelanceoverhisvisorsaidtohim,"Youare
vanquished,sirknight,naydead,unlessyouconfess,accordingtothetermsofour
combat.
DonQuixote,bruisedandstupefied,withoutraisinghisvisor,saidinaweakfeeble
voiceasifhewerespeakingoutofatomb,"DulcineadelTobosoisthefairest
womanintheworld,andIthemostunfortunateknightonearth;itisnotfittingthat
thistruthshouldsufferbymyfeebleness;driveyourlancehome,sirknight,andtake
mylife,sinceyouhavealreadydeprivedmeofmyhonor."
"ThatwillImostsurelywillnotdo,saidheoftheWhiteMoon;"Letthefameofthe
ladyDulcineasbeautyliveonundimmed;allIrequireisthatthegreatDonQuixote
retiretohisownhomeforayear,oruntilsuchtimeasIshallspecify,asweagreed
beforejoiningbattle."
209
Theviceroy,DonAntonio,andseveralotherswhowerepresentheardallthis,and
heardtoohowDonQuixotereplied,thatsolongasnothinginprejudiceofDulcinea
wasdemandedofhim,hewouldobservealltherestlikeatrueandloyalknight.The
engagementgiven,heoftheWhiteMoonwheeledabout,andmakingobeisanceto
theviceroywithamovementofthehead,rodeawayintothecityatahalfgallop.
TheviceroybadeDonAntoniohastenafterhim,andbysomemeansorotherfind
outwhohewas.TheyraisedDonQuixoteupanduncoveredhisface,andfoundhim
paleandbathedwithsweat.
Rocinantefromthemerehardmeasurehehadreceivedlayunabletostirforthe
present.Sancho,whollydejectedandwoebegone,knewnotwhattosayordo.He
fanciedthatallwasadream,thatthewholebusinesswasapieceofenchantment.
Herewashismaster,defeated,andboundnottotakeuparmsforayear.Hesawthe
lightofthegloryofhisachievementsobscured;thehopesofthepromiseslately
madehimsweptawaylikesmokebeforethewind;Rocinante,hefeared,was
crippledforlife,andhismaster'sbonesdislocated;forifhewereonlyjoltedoutof
hismadness54itwouldbenosmallluck.Intheendtheycarriedhimintothecityin
alitterwhichtheviceroysentfor,andthithertheviceroyhimselfreturnedtofind
outwhothisKnightoftheWhiteMoonwaswhohadleftDonQuixoteinsuchasad
state.
54Theoriginalhasanuntranslatablepunondeslocado,whichmeansoutofjoint
andalsocuredofmadness(fromloco,mad).Decrazied.
210
CHAPTERLXV.
WHEREINISMADEKNOWNWHOTHEKNIGHTOFTHEWHITEMOONWAS;
LIKEWISEDONGREGORIO'SRELEASE,ANDOTHEREVENTS
DonAntoniaMorenofollowedtheKnightoftheWhiteMoon,andanumberofboys
followedhimtoo,naypursuedhim,untiltheyfoundhimfairlyhousedinahostelin
theheartofthecity.DonAntonio,eagertomakehisacquaintance,enteredalso;a
squirecameouttomeethimandremovehisamour,andheshuthimselfintoa
lowerroom,stillattendedbyDonAntonio,whosebreadwouldnotbakeuntilhehad
foundoutwhohewas.HeoftheWhiteMoon,seeingthenthatthegentlemanwould
notleavehim,"Iknowverywell,seor,whatyouhavecomefor;itistofindoutwho
Iam;andasthereisnoreasonwhyIshouldconcealitfromyou,whilemyservant
hereistakingoffmyamourIwilltellyouthetruestateofthecase,withoutleaving
outanything.Youmustknow,seor,thatIamcalledthebachelorSansonCarrasco.I
amofthesamevillageasDonQuixoteofLaMancha,whosecrazeandfollymakeall
ofuswhoknowhimfeelpityforhim,andIamoneofthosewhohavefeltitmost;
andpersuadedthathischanceofrecoverylayinquietandkeepingathomeandin
hisownhouse,Ihituponadeviceforkeepinghimthere.
Threemonthsago,therefore,Iwentouttomeethimasaknighterrant,underthe
assumednameoftheKnightoftheMirrors,intendingtoengagehimincombatand
overcomehimwithouthurtinghim,makingittheconditionofourcombatthatthe
vanquishedshouldbeatthedisposalofthevictor.WhatImeanttodemandofhim
(forIregardedhimasvanquishedalready)wasthatheshouldreturntohisown
village,andnotleaveitforawholeyear,bywhichtimehemightbecured.Butfate
ordereditotherwise,forhevanquishedmeandunhorsedme,andsomyplanfailed.
Hewenthisway,andIcamebackconquered,coveredwithshame,andsorely
bruisedbymyfall,whichwasaparticularlydangerousone.Butthisdidnotquench
mydesiretomeethimagainandovercomehim,asyouhaveseentoday.Andashe
issoscrupulousinhisobservanceofthelawsofknighterrantry,hewill,nodoubt,
211
inordertokeephisword,obeytheinjunctionIhavelaiduponhim.This,seor,is
howthematterstands,andIhavenothingmoretotellyou.Iimploreofyounotto
betrayme,ortellDonQuixotewhoIam;sothatmyhonestendeavorsmaybe
successful,andthatamanofexcellentwitswereheonlyridofthefooleriesof
chivalrymaygetthembackagain."
"Oseor,"saidDonAntonio,"mayGodforgiveyouthewrongyouhavedonethe
wholeworldintryingtobringthemostamusingmadmaninitbacktohissenses.
Doyounotsee,seor,thatthegainbyDonQuixote'ssanitycanneverequalthe
enjoymenthiscrazesgive?Butmybeliefisthatalltheseorbachelor'spainswill
beofnoavailtobringamansohopelesslycrackedtohissensesagain;andifitwere
notuncharitable,IwouldsaymayDonQuixoteneverbecured,forbyhisrecovery
welosenotonlyhisowndrolleries,buthissquireSanchoPanza'stoo,anyoneof
whichisenoughtoturnmelancholyitselfintomerriment.However,I'llholdmy
peaceandsaynothingtohim,andwe'llseewhetherIamrightinmysuspicionthat
SeorCarrasco'seffortswillbefruitless."
Thebachelorrepliedthatatalleventstheaffairpromisedwell,andhehopedfora
happyresultfromit;andputtinghisservicesatDonAntonio'scommandshetook
hisleaveofhim;andhavinghadhisamourpackedatonceuponamule,herode
awayfromthecitythesamedayonthehorseherodetobattle,andreturnedtohis
owncountrywithoutmeetinganyadventurecallingforrecordinthisveracious
history.
212
CHAPTERLXXIII.
OFTHEOMENSDONQUIXOTEHADASHEENTEREDHISOWNVILLAGE,AND
OTHERINCIDENTSTHATEMBELLISHANDGIVEACOLOURTOTHISGREAT
HISTORY
Attheentranceofthevillage,sosaysCideHamete,DonQuixotesawtwoboys
quarrellingonthevillagethreshingflooroneofwhomsaidtotheother,"Takeit
easy,Periquillo;thoushaltneverseeitagainaslongasthoulivest."
DonQuixoteheardthis,andsaidhetoSancho,"Dostthounotmark,friend,what
thatboysaid,'Thoushaltneverseeit55againaslongasthoulivest'?"
"Well,"saidSancho,"whatdoesitmatteriftheboysaidso?"
"What!"saidDonQuixote,"dostthounotseethat,appliedtotheobjectofmy
desires,thewordsmeanthatIamnevertoseeDulcineaagain?"
Sanchowasabouttoanswer,whenhisattentionwasdivertedbyseeingaharecome
flyingacrosstheplainpursuedbyseveralgreyhoundsandsportsmen.Initsterrorit
rantotakeshelterandhideitselfundertheDapple.Sanchocaughtitaliveand
presentedittoDonQuixote,whowassaying,"Malumsignum,malumsignum!56a
hareflies,greyhoundschaseit,Dulcineaappearsnot."
"Yourworship'sastrangeman,"saidSancho;"let'stakeitforgrantedthatthishare
isDulcinea,andthesegreyhoundschasingitthemalignantenchanterswhoturned
herintoacountrywench;sheflies,andIcatchherandputherintoyourworship's
55InSpanish,nounsarefeminineandmasculine.Acricketcageisfeminineandis
thusreferredtoasher;thusQuixotesinferenceconcerningDulcinea.
56Abadsign.Meetingahareisconsideredanillomen.
213
hands,andyouholdherinyourarmsandcherishher;whatbadsignisthat,orwhat
illomenistheretobefoundhere?"
Thetwoboyswhohadbeenquarrellingcameovertolookatthehare,andSancho
askedoneofthemwhattheirquarrelwasabout.Hewasansweredbytheonewho
hadsaid,"Thoushaltneverseeitagainaslongasthoulivest,"thathehadtakena
cagefullofcricketsfromtheotherboy,anddidnotmeantogiveitbacktohimas
longashelived.Sanchotookoutfourcuartosfromhispocketandgavethemtothe
boyforthecage,whichheplacedinDonQuixote'shands,saying,"There,seor!
therearetheomensbrokenanddestroyed,andtheyhavenomoretodowithour
affairs,tomythinking,foolasIam,thanwithlastyear'sclouds;andifIremember
rightlyIhaveheardthecurateofourvillagesaythatitdoesnotbecomeChristians
orsensiblepeopletogiveanyheedtothesesillythings;andevenyouyourselfsaid
thesametomesometimeago,tellingmethatallChristianswhomindedomens
werefools;butthere'snoneedofmakingwordsaboutit;letuspushonandgointo
ourvillage."
Thesportsmencameupandaskedfortheirhare,whichDonQuixotegavethem.
Theythenwenton,anduponthegreenattheentranceofthetowntheycameupon
thecurateandthebachelorSansonCarrascobusyreadingtheirbreviaries.Itshould
bementionedthatSanchohadthrown,bywayofasumptercloth,overtheDapple
andoverthebundleofarmor,thebuckramrobepaintedwithflameswhichtheyhad
putuponhimattheduke'scastlethenightAltisidoracamebacktolife.57Hehad
alsofixedthemiterontheDapple'shead,theoddesttransformationanddecoration
thateveranassintheworldunderwent.Theywereatoncerecognizedbyboththe
curateandthebachelor,whocametowardsthemwithopenarms.DonQuixote
dismountedandreceivedthemwithacloseembrace;andtheboys,whoarelike
lynxesthatnothingescapes,spiedouttheass'smiterandcamerunningtoseeit,
57AltisidorawasagirlinthedukescastlewhereQuixoteandSanchowereguests
foratime;shedramaticallypretendedtobeinlovewithDonQuixote.
callingouttooneanother,"Comehere,boys,andseeSanchoPanza'sassfiggedout
finerthanMingo,andDonQuixote'sbeastleanerthanever."
Soatlength,withtheboyscaperingroundthem,andaccompaniedbythecurateand
thebachelor,theymadetheirentranceintothetown,andproceededtoDon
Quixote'shouse,atthedoorofwhichtheyfoundhishousekeeperandniece,whom
thenewsofhisarrivalhadalreadyreached.IthadbeenbroughttoTeresaPanza,
Sancho'swife,aswell,andshewithherhairalllooseandhalfnaked,dragging
Sanchicaherdaughterbythehand,ranouttomeetherhusband;butseeinghim
cominginbynomeansasgoodcaseasshethoughtagovernoroughttobe,shesaid
tohim,"Howisityoucomethisway,husband?Itseemstomeyoucometramping
andfootsore,andlookingmorelikeadisorderlyvagabondthanagovernor."
"Holdyourtongue,Teresa,"saidSancho;"often'wheretherearestakesthereisno
bacon;letusgointothehouseandthereyou'llhearstrangethings.Ibringmoney,
andthat'sthemainthing,gotbymyownindustrywithoutwronginganybody."
"Youbringthemoney,mygoodhusband,"saidTeresa,"andnomatterwhetherit
wasgotthiswayorthat;for,howeveryoumayhavegotit,you'llnothavebrought
anynewpracticeintotheworld."
Sanchicathenembracedherfatherandaskedhimifhebroughtheranything,forshe
hadbeenlookingoutforhimasfortheshowersofMay;andshetakingholdofhim
bythegirdleononeside,andhiswifebythehand,whilethedaughterledthe
Dapple,theymadefortheirhouse,leavingDonQuixoteinhis,inthehandsofhis
nieceandhousekeeper,andinthecompanyofthecurateandthebachelor.
DonQuixoteatonce,withoutanyregardtotimeorseason,withdrewinprivatewith
thebachelorandthecurate,andinafewwordstoldthemofhisdefeat,andofthe
engagementhewasundernottoquithisvillageforayear,whichhemeanttokeep
totheletterwithoutdepartingahair'sbreadthfromit,asbecameaknighterrant
215
boundbyscrupulousgoodfaithandthelawsofknighterrantry;andofhowhe
thoughtofturningshepherdforthatyear,andtakinghisdiversioninthesolitudeof
thefields,wherehecouldwithperfectfreedomgiverangetohisthoughtsoflove
whilehefollowedthevirtuouspastoralcalling;andhebesoughtthem,iftheyhad
notagreatdealtodoandwerenotpreventedbymoreimportantbusiness,to
consenttobehiscompanions,forhewouldbuysheepenoughtoqualifythemfor
shepherds;andthemostimportantpointofthewholeaffair,hecouldtellthem,was
settled,forhehadgiventhemnamesthatwouldfitthemtoaT.Thecurateasked
whattheywere.DonQuixoterepliedthathehimselfwastobecalledtheshepherd
QuixotizeandthebachelortheshepherdCarrascon,andthecuratetheshepherd
Curambro,andSanchoPanzatheshepherdPancino.
BothwereastoundedatDonQuixote'snewcraze;however,lestheshouldonce
moremakeoffoutofthevillagefromtheminpursuitofhischivalry,theytrusting
thatinthecourseoftheyearhemightbecured,fellinwithhisnewproject,
applaudedhiscrazyideaasabrightone,andofferedtosharethelifewithhim.
"Andwhat'smore,"saidSansonCarrasco,"Iam,asalltheworldknows,avery
famouspoet,andI'llbealwaysmakingverses,pastoral,orcourtly,orasitmaycome
intomyhead,topassawayourtimeinthosesecludedregionswhereweshallbe
roaming.Butwhatismostneedful,sirs,isthateachofusshouldchoosethenameof
theshepherdesshemeanstoglorifyinhisverses,andthatweshouldnotleavea
tree,beiteversohard,withoutwritingupandcarvinghernameonit,asisthehabit
andcustomoflovesmittenshepherds."
"That'stheverything,"saidDonQuixote;"thoughIamrelievedfromlookingforthe
nameofanimaginaryshepherdess,forthere'sthepeerlessDulcineadelToboso,the
gloryofthesebrooksides,theornamentofthesemeadows,themainstayofbeauty,
thecreamofallthegraces,and,inaword,thebeingtowhomallpraiseis
appropriate,beiteversohyperbolical."
"Verytrue,"saidthecurate;"butwetheothersmustlookaboutforaccommodating
shepherdessesthatwillanswerourpurposeonewayoranother."
"And,"addedSansonCarrasco,"iftheyfailus,wecancallthembythenamesofthe
onesinprintthattheworldisfilledwith,Filidas,Amarilises,Dianas,Fleridas,
Galateas,Belisardas;forastheyselltheminthemarketplaceswemayfairlybuy
themandmakethemourown.Ifmylady,orIshouldsaymyshepherdess,happens
tobecalledAna,I'llsingherpraisesunderthenameofAnarda,andifFrancisca,I'll
callherFrancenia,andifLucia,Lucinda,foritallcomestothesamething;and
SanchoPanza,ifhejoinsthisfraternity,mayglorifyhiswifeTeresaPanzaas
Teresaina."
DonQuixotelaughedattheadaptationofthename,andthecuratebestowedvast
praiseupontheworthyandhonorableresolutionhehadmade,andagainofferedto
bearhimcompanyallthetimethathecouldsparefromhisimperativeduties.And
sotheytooktheirleaveofhim,recommendingandbeseechinghimtotakecareof
hishealthandtreathimselftoasuitablediet.
Itsohappenedhisnieceandthehousekeeperoverheardallthethreeofthemsaid;
andassoonastheyweregonetheybothofthemcameintoDonQuixote,andsaid
theniece,"What'sthis,uncle?Nowthatwewerethinkingyouhadcomebacktostay
athomeandleadaquietrespectablelifethere,areyougoingtogetintofresh
entanglements,andturn'youngshepherd,thouthatcomesthere,youngshepherd
goingthere?'58Nay!indeed'thestrawistoohardnowtomakepipesof.'"59
"And,"addedthehousekeeper,"willyourworshipbeabletobear,outinthefields,
theheatsofsummer,andthechillsofwinter,andthehowlingofthewolves?Not
you;forthat'salifeandabusinessforhardymen,bredandseasonedtosuchwork
almostfromthetimetheywereinswaddlingclothes.Why,tomakechoiceofevils,
58Fromaballad.
59Aproverb.
217
it'sbettertobeaknighterrantthanashepherd!Lookhere,seor;takemyadvice
andI'mnotgivingittoyoufullofbreadandwine,butfasting,andwithfiftyyears
uponmyheadstayathome,lookafteryouraffairs,gooftentoconfession,begood
tothepoor,anduponmysoulbeitifanyevilcomestoyou."
"Holdyourpeace,mydaughters,"saidDonQuixote;"Iknowverywellwhatmyduty
is;helpmetobed,forIdon'tfeelverywell;andrestassuredthat,knighterrantnow
orwanderingshepherdtobe,Ishallneverfailtohaveacareforyourinterests,as
youwillseeintheend."Andthegoodwenches(forthattheyundoubtedlywere),
thehousekeeperandniece,helpedhimtobed,wheretheygavehimsomethingto
eatandmadehimascomfortableaspossible.
218
CHAPTERLXXIV.
OFHOWDONQUIXOTEFELLSICK,ANDOFTHEWILLHEMADE,ANDHOWHE
DIED
Asnothingthatisman'scanlastforever,butalltendseverdownwardsfromits
beginningtoitsend,andaboveallman'slife,andasDonQuixote'senjoyedno
specialdispensationfromheaventostayitscourse,itsendandclosecamewhenhe
leastlookedforit.Forwhetheritwasofthedejectionthethoughtofhisdefeat
produced,orofheaven'swillthatsoordereditafeversettleduponhimandkept
himinhisbedforsixdays,duringwhichhewasoftenvisitedbyhisfriendsthe
curate,thebachelor,andthebarber,whilehisgoodsquireSanchoPanzanever
quittedhisbedside.They,persuadedthatitwasgriefatfindinghimselfvanquished,
andtheobjectofhisheart,theliberationanddisenchantmentofDulcinea,
unattained,thatkepthiminthisstate,strovebyallthemeansintheirpowerto
cheerhimup;thebachelorbiddinghimtakeheartandgetuptobeginhispastoral
life,forwhichhehimself,hesaid,hadalreadycomposedanecloguethatwouldtake
theshineoutofallSannazarohadeverwritten,andhadboughtwithhisownmoney
twofamousdogstoguardtheflock,onecalledBarcinoandtheotherButron,which
aherdsmanofQuintanarhadsoldhim.
ButforallthisDonQuixotecouldnotshakeoffhissadness.Hisfriendscalledinthe
doctor,whofelthispulseandwasnotverywellsatisfiedwithit,andsaidthatinany
caseitwouldbewellforhimtoattendtothehealthofhissoul,asthatofhisbody
wasinabadway.DonQuixoteheardthiscalmly;butnotsohishousekeeper,his
niece,andhissquire,whofellweepingbitterly,asiftheyhadhimlyingdeadbefore
them.Thedoctor'sopinionwasthatmelancholyanddepressionwerebringinghim
tohisend.DonQuixotebeggedthemtoleavehimtohimself,ashehadawishto
sleepalittle.Theyobeyed,andhesleptatonestretch,asthesayingis,morethansix
hours,sothatthehousekeeperandniecethoughthewasgoingtosleepforever.But
attheendofthattimehewokeup,andinaloudvoiceexclaimed,"Blessedbe
219
AlmightyGod,whohasshownmesuchgoodness.Intruthhismerciesare
boundless,andthesinsofmencanneitherlimitthemnorkeepthemback!"
Theniecelistenedwithattentiontoheruncle'swords,andtheystruckherasmore
coherentthanwhatusuallyfellfromhim,atleastduringhisillness,sosheasked,
"Whatareyousaying,seor?Hasanythingstrangeoccurred?Whatmerciesor
whatsinsofmenareyoutalkingof?"
"Themercies,niece,"saidDonQuixote,"arethosethatGodhasthismomentshown
me,andwithHim,asIsaid,mysinsarenoimpedimenttothem.Myreasonisnow
freeandclear,ridofthedarkshadowsofignorancethatmyunhappyconstantstudy
ofthosedetestablebooksofchivalrycastoverit.NowIseethroughtheir
absurditiesanddeceptions,anditonlygrievesmethatthisdestructionofmy
illusionshascomesolatethatitleavesmenotimetomakesomeamendsbyreading
otherbooksthatmightbealighttomysoul.Niece,Ifeelmyselfatthepointofdeath,
andIwouldfainmeetitinsuchawayastoshowthatmylifehasnotbeensoillthat
Ishouldleavebehindmethenameofamadman;forthoughIhavebeenone,I
wouldnotthatthefactshouldbemadeplaineratmydeath.Callintome,mydear,
mygoodfriendsthecurate,thebachelorSansonCarrasco,andMasterNicholasthe
barber,forIwishtoconfessandmakemywill."Buthisniecewassavedthetrouble
bytheentranceofthethree.TheinstantDonQuixotesawthemheexclaimed,"Good
newsforyou,goodsirs,thatIamnolongerDonQuixoteofLaMancha,butAlonso
Quixano,whosewayoflifewonforhimthenameoftheGood.NowamItheenemy
ofAmadisofGaulandofthewholecountlesstroopofhisdescendants;odioustome
nowarealltheprofanestoriesofknighterrantry;nowIperceivemyfolly,andthe
perilintowhichreadingthembroughtme;now,byGod'smercyschooledintomy
rightsenses,Iloathethem."
Whenthethreeheardhimspeakinthisway,theyhadnodoubtwhateverthatsome
newcrazehadtakenpossessionofhim;andsaidSanson,"What?SeorDonQuixote!
NowthatwehaveintelligenceoftheladyDulcineabeingdisenchanted,areyou
takingthisline;now,justasweareonthepointofbecomingshepherds,topassour
livessinging,likeprinces,areyouthinkingofturninghermit?Hush,forheaven's
sake,berationalandlet'shavenomorenonsense."
"Allthatnonsense,"saidDonQuixote,"thatuntilnowhasbeenarealitytomyhurt,
mydeathwill,withheaven'shelp,turntomygood.Ifeel,sirs,thatIamrapidly
drawingneardeath;atrucetojesting;letmehaveaconfessortoconfessme,anda
notarytomakemywill;forinextremitieslikethis,manmustnottriflewithhissoul;
andwhilethecurateisconfessingmeletsomeone,Ibeg,goforthenotary."
Theylookedatoneanother,wonderingatDonQuixote'swords;but,though
uncertain,theywereinclinedtobelievehim,andoneofthesignsbywhichthey
cametotheconclusionhewasdyingwasthissosuddenandcompletereturntohis
sensesafterhavingbeenmad;fortothewordsalreadyquotedheaddedmuchmore,
sowellexpressed,sodevout,andsorational,astobanishalldoubtandconvince
themthathewassoundofmind.Thecurateturnedthemallout,andleftalonewith
him,heardhisconfession.Thebachelorwentforthenotaryandreturnedshortly
afterwardswithhimandwithSancho,who,havingalreadylearnedfromthe
bachelortheconditionhismasterwasin,andfindingthehousekeeperandniece
weeping,begantoblubberandshedtears.
Theconfessionover,thecuratecameoutsaying,"AlonsoQuixanotheGoodis
indeeddying,andisindeedinhisrightmind;wemaynowgointohimwhilehe
makeshiswill."
Thisnewsgaveatremendousimpulsetothebrimmingeyesofthehousekeeper,
niece,andSanchoPanzahisgoodsquire,makingthetearsburstfromtheireyesand
ahostofsighsfromtheirhearts;forofatruth,ashasbeensaidmorethanonce,
whetherasplainAlonsoQuixanotheGood,orasDonQuixoteofLaMancha,Don
Quixotewasalwaysofagentledispositionandkindlyinallhisways,andhencehe
wasbeloved,notonlybythoseofhisownhouse,butbyallwhoknewhim.
221
Thenotarycameinwiththerest,andassoonasthepreambleofthehadbeenset
outandDonQuixotehadcommendedhissoultoGodwithallthedevoutformalities
thatareusual,comingtothebequests,hesaid,
"Item:itismywillthat,touchingcertainmoneysinthehandsofSanchoPanza
(whominmymadnessImademysquire),inasmuchasbetweenhimandmethere
havebeencertainaccountsanddebitsandcredits,noclaimbemadeagainsthim,
noranyaccountdemandedofhiminrespectofthem;butthatifanythingremain
overandabove,afterhehaspaidhimselfwhatIowehim,thebalance,whichwillbe
butlittle,shallbehis,andmuchgoodmayitdohim;andif,aswhenIwasmadIhad
ashareingivinghimthegovernmentofanisland,so,nowthatIaminmysenses,I
couldgivehimthatofakingdomifitwerewithinmypower,forhissimplicityof
mindandthefidelityofhisconductdeservenoless."Andthen,turningtoSancho,
hesaid,"Forgiveme,myfriend,thatIledtheetoseemasmadasmyself,making
theefallintothesameerrorImyselffellinto,thattherewereandstillareknights
errantintheworld."
"Ah!"saidSanchoweeping,"don'tdie,master,buttakemyadviceandlivemany
years;forthecraziestthingamancandointhislifeistolethimselfdiewithout
rhymeorreason,withoutanybodykillinghim,slainonlybythehandsof
melancholy.Come,don'tbeidle,butgetupfromyourbedandletustaketothe
fieldsinshepherd'strimasweagreed.Perhapsbehindsomebushweshallfindthe
ladyDulcineadisenchanted,asfineasfinecanbe.Ifitbethatyouaredyingof
vexationathavingbeenvanquished,laytheblameonme,andsayyouwere
overthrownbecauseIhadgirthedRocinantebadly;besidesyoumusthaveseenin
yourbooksofchivalrythatitisacommonthingforknightstoupsetoneanother,
andforhimwhoisconqueredtodaytobeconquerortomorrow."
"Verytrue,"saidSanson,"andgoodSanchoPanza'sviewofthesecasesisquite
right."
222
"Sirs,notsofast,"saidDonQuixote,"'inlastyear'sneststherearenobirdsthis
year.'Iwasmad,nowIaminmysenses;IwasDonQuixoteofLaMancha,Iamnow,
asIsaid,AlonsoQuixanotheGood;andmaymyrepentanceandsincerityrestoreme
totheesteemyouusedtohaveforme;andnowletMasterNotaryproceed.
"Item:IleaveallmypropertyabsolutelytoAntoniaQuixanamyniece,herepresent,
afterallhasbeendeductedfromthemostavailableportionofitthatmaybe
requiredtosatisfythebequestsIhavemade.AndthefirstdisbursementIdesireto
bemadeisthepaymentofthewagesIoweforthetimemyhousekeeperhasserved
me,withtwentyducats,overandabove,foragown.Thecurateandthebachelor
SansonCarrasco,nowpresent,Iappointmyexecutors.
"Item:itismywishthatifAntoniaQuixana,myniece,desirestomarry,sheshall
marryamanofwhomitshallbefirstofallascertainedbyinformationtakenthathe
doesnotknowwhatbooksofchivalryare;andifitshouldbeprovedthathedoes,
andif,inspiteofthis,mynieceinsistsuponmarryinghim,anddoesmarryhim,then
sheshallforfeitthewholeofwhatIhavelefther,whichmyexecutorsshalldevoteto
worksofcharityastheyplease.
"Item:Ientreattheaforesaidgentlemen,myexecutors,that,ifanyhappychance
shouldleadthemtodiscovertheauthorwhoissaidtohavewrittenahistorynow
goingaboutunderthetitleofTheSecondPartoftheAchievementsofDonQuixoteof
LaMancha,theybegofhimonmybehalfasearnestlyastheycantoforgivemefor
havingbeen,withoutintendingit,thecauseofhiswritingsomanyandsuch
monstrousabsurditiesashehaswritteninit;forIamleavingtheworldwitha
feelingofcompunctionathavingprovokedhimtowritethem."
Withthisheclosedhiswill,and,afaintnesscomingoverhim,hestretchedhimself
outatfulllengthonthebed.Allwereinaflutterandmadehastetorelievehim,and
duringthethreedayshelivedafterthatonwhichhemadehiswill,hefaintedaway
223
veryoften.Thehousewasallinconfusion;butstillthenieceateandthe
housekeeperdrankandSanchoPanzaenjoyedhimself;forinheritingproperty
wipesoutorsoftensdownintheheirthefeelingofgriefthedeadmanmightbe
expectedtoleavebehindhim.
AtlastDonQuixote'sendcame,afterhehadreceivedallthesacraments,andhadin
fullandforcibletermsexpressedhisdetestationofbooksofchivalry.Thenotary
wasthereatthetime,andhesaidthatinnobookofchivalryhadheeverreadofany
knighterrantdyinginhisbedsocalmlyandsolikeaChristianasDonQuixote,who
amidthetearsandlamentationsofallpresentyieldeduphisspirit.Onperceivingit,
thecuratebeggedthenotarytobearwitnessthatAlonsoQuixanotheGood,
commonlycalledDonQuixoteofLaMancha,hadpassedawayfromthispresentlife,
anddiednaturally;andsaidhedesiredthistestimonyinordertoremovethe
possibilityofanyotherauthorsaveCideHameteBenengelibringinghimtolife
againfalselyandmakinginterminablestoriesoutofhisachievements.60
SuchwastheendoftheIngeniousGentlemanofLaMancha,whosevillageCide
Hametewouldnotindicateprecisely,inordertoleaveallthetownsandvillagesof
LaManchatocontendamongthemselvesfortherighttoadopthimandclaimhimas
ason,asthesevencitiesofGreececontendedforHomer.Thelamentationsof
Sanchoandthenieceandhousekeeperareomittedhere,aswellasthenewepitaphs
uponhistomb;SansonCarrasco,however,putdownthefollowinglines:
Adoughtygentlemanlieshere;
Astrangerallhislifetofear;
NorinhisdeathcouldDeathprevail,
Inthatlasthour,tomakehimquail.
Hefortheworldbutlittlecared;
Andathisfeatstheworldwasscared;
60ItiscommonlybelievedthatCervanteskilledoffhisheroinordertopreventany
morefalsesequelsliketheonethathadobligedhimtowritePartTwo.
224
Acrazymanhislifehepassed,
Butinhissensesdiedatlast.
AndsaidmostsageCideHametetohispen,"Resthere,hungupbythisbrasswire,
uponthisshelf,Omypen,whetherofskilfulmakeorclumsycutIknownot;here
shaltthouremainlongageshence,unlesspresumptuousormalignantstorytellers
taketheedowntoprofanethee.Buteretheytouchthee,warnthem,and,asbest
thoucanst,saytothem:
Holdoff!yeweaklings;holdyourhands!
Adventureitletnone,
Forthisemprise,mylordtheking,
Wasmeantformealone.
FormealonewasDonQuixoteborn,andIforhim;itwashistoact,minetowrite;
wetwotogethermakebutone,notwithstandingandinspiteofthatpretended
Tordesillesquewriterwhohasventuredorwouldventurewithhisgreat,coarse,ill
trimmedostrichquilltowritetheachievementsofmyvaliantknight;noburden
forhisshoulders,norsubjectforhisfrozenwit:whom,ifperchancethoushouldst
cometoknowhim,thoushaltwarntoleaveatrestwheretheylietheweary
molderingbonesofDonQuixote,andnottoattempttocarryhimoff,inopposition
toalltheprivilegesofdeath,toOldCastile,makinghimrisefromthegravewherein
realityandtruthheliesstretchedatfulllength,powerlesstomakeanythird
expeditionornewsally;forthetwothathehasalreadymade,somuchtothe
enjoymentandapprovalofeverybodytowhomtheyhavebecomeknown,inthisas
wellasinforeigncountries,arequitesufficientforthepurposeofturninginto
ridiculethewholeofthosemadebythewholesetoftheknightserrant;andso
doingshaltthoudischargethyChristiancalling,givinggoodcounseltoonethat
bearsillwilltothee.AndIshallremainsatisfied,andproudtohavebeenthefirst
whohaseverenjoyedthefruitofhiswritingsasfullyashecoulddesire;formy
desirehasbeennootherthantodeliverovertothedetestationofmankindthefalse
andfoolishtalesofthebooksofchivalry,which,thankstothatofmytrueDon
Quixote,areevennowtottering,anddoubtlessdoomedtofallforever.
Farewell."
225

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