“Itseemstomerather,Sancho,“saidDonQuixote,“thatthouwouldstmountascaffoldinordertoseethebullswithoutdanger。“
“Totellthetruth,“returnedSancho,“themonstrousnoseofthatsquirehasfilledmewithfearandterror,andIdarenotstaynearhim。“
“Itis,“saidDonQuixote,“suchaonethatwereInotwhatIamitwouldterrifymetoo;so,come,Iwillhelptheeupwherethouwilt。“
WhileDonQuixotewaitedforSanchotomountintothecorktreeheoftheMirrorstookasmuchgroundasheconsideredrequisite,and,supposingDonQuixotetohavedonethesame,withoutwaitingforanysoundoftrumpetorothersignaltodirectthem,hewheeledhishorse,whichwasnotmoreagileorbetter-lookingthanRocinante,andathistopspeed,whichwasaneasytrot,heproceededtochargehisenemy;seeinghim,however,engagedinputtingSanchoup,hedrewrein,andhaltedinmidcareer,forwhichhishorsewasverygrateful,ashewasalreadyunabletogo。DonQuixote,fancyingthathisfoewascomingdownuponhimflying,drovehisspursvigorouslyintoRocinante'sleanflanksandmadehimscudalonginsuchstylethatthehistorytellsusthatonthisoccasiononlywasheknowntomakesomethinglikerunning,foronallothersitwasasimpletrotwithhim;andwiththisunparalleledfuryheboredownwhereheoftheMirrorsstooddigginghisspursintohishorseuptobuttons,withoutbeingabletomakehimstirafinger'slengthfromthespotwherehehadcometoastandstillinhiscourse。Atthisluckymomentandcrisis,DonQuixotecameuponhisadversary,introublewithhishorse,andembarrassedwithhislance,whichheeithercouldnotmanage,orhadnotimetolayinrest。DonQuixote,however,paidnoattentiontothesedifficulties,andinperfectsafetytohimselfandwithoutanyriskencounteredhimoftheMirrorswithsuchforcethathebroughthimtothegroundinspiteofhimselfoverthehaunchesofhishorse,andwithsoheavyafallthathelaytoallappearancedead,notstirringhandorfoot。TheinstantSanchosawhimfallhesliddownfromthecorktree,andmadeallhastetowherehismasterwas,who,dismountingfromRocinante,wentandstoodoverhimoftheMirrors,andunlacinghishelmettoseeifhewasdead,andtogivehimairifheshouldhappentobealive,hesaw-whocansaywhathesaw,withoutfillingallwhohearitwithastonishment,wonder,andawe?Hesaw,thehistorysays,theverycountenance,theveryface,theverylook,theveryphysiognomy,theveryeffigy,theveryimageofthebachelorSamsonCarrasco!Assoonashesawithecalledoutinaloudvoice,“Makehastehere,Sancho,andbeholdwhatthouarttoseebutnottobelieve;quick,myson,andlearnwhatmagiccando,andwizardsandenchantersarecapableof。“
Sanchocameup,andwhenhesawthecountenanceofthebachelorCarrasco,hefelltocrossinghimselfathousandtimes,andblessinghimselfasmanymore。Allthistimetheprostrateknightshowednosignsoflife,andSanchosaidtoDonQuixote,“Itismyopinion,senor,thatinanycaseyourworshipshouldtakeandthrustyourswordintothemouthofthisoneherethatlookslikethebachelorSamsonCarrasco;perhapsinhimyouwillkilloneofyourenemies,theenchanters。“
“Thyadviceisnotbad,“saidDonQuixote,“forofenemiesthefewerthebetter;“andhewasdrawinghisswordtocarryintoeffectSancho'scounselandsuggestion,whenthesquireoftheMirrorscameup,nowwithoutthenosewhichhadmadehimsohideous,andcriedoutinaloudvoice,“Mindwhatyouareabout,SenorDonQuixote;thatisyourfriend,thebachelorSamsonCarrasco,youhaveatyourfeet,andIamhissquire。“
“Andthenose?”saidSancho,seeinghimwithoutthehideousfeaturehehadbefore;towhichhereplied,“Ihaveithereinmypocket,“andputtinghishandintohisrightpocket,hepulledoutamasqueradenoseofvarnishedpasteboardofthemakealreadydescribed;
andSancho,examininghimmoreandmoreclosely,exclaimedaloudinavoiceofamazement,“HolyMarybegoodtome!Isn'titTomCecial,myneighbourandgossip?”
“Why,tobesureIam!”returnedthenowunnosedsquire;“TomCecialIam,gossipandfriendSanchoPanza;andI'lltellyoupresentlythemeansandtricksandfalsehoodsbywhichIhavebeenbroughthere;
butinthemeantime,begandentreatofyourmasternottotouch,maltreat,wound,orslaytheKnightoftheMirrorswhomhehasathisfeet;because,beyondalldispute,itistherashandill-advisedbachelorSamsonCarrasco,ourfellowtownsman。“
AtthismomentheoftheMirrorscametohimself,andDonQuixoteperceivingit,heldthenakedpointofhisswordoverhisface,andsaidtohim,“Youareadeadman,knight,unlessyouconfessthatthepeerlessDulcineadelTobosoexcelsyourCasildeadeVandaliainbeauty;andinadditiontothisyoumustpromise,ifyoushouldsurvivethisencounterandfall,togotothecityofElTobosoandpresentyourselfbeforeheronmybehalf,thatshedealwithyouaccordingtohergoodpleasure;andifsheleavesyoufreetodoyours,youareinlikemannertoreturnandseekmeoutforthetrailofmymightydeedswillserveyouasaguidetoleadyoutowhereI
maybe,andtellmewhatmayhavepassedbetweenyouandher-
conditionswhich,inaccordancewithwhatwestipulatedbeforeourcombat,donottransgressthejustlimitsofknight-errantry。“
“Iconfess,“saidthefallenknight,“thatthedirtytatteredshoeoftheladyDulcineadelTobosoisbetterthantheill-combedthoughcleanbeardofCasildea;andIpromisetogoandtoreturnfromherpresencetoyours,andtogiveyouafullandparticularaccountofallyoudemandofme。“
“Youmustalsoconfessandbelieve,“addedDonQuixote,“thattheknightyouvanquishedwasnotandcouldnotbeDonQuixoteofLaMancha,butsomeoneelseinhislikeness,justasIconfessandbelievethatyou,thoughyouseemtobethebachelorSamsonCarrasco,arenotso,butsomeotherresemblinghim,whommyenemieshavehereputbeforemeinhisshape,inorderthatImayrestrainandmoderatethevehemenceofmywrath,andmakeagentleuseofthegloryofmyvictory。“
“Iconfess,hold,andthinkeverythingtobeasyoubelieve,hold,andthinkit,“thecrippledknight;“letmerise,Ientreatyou;if,indeed,theshockofmyfallwillallowme,forithasleftmeinasorryplightenough。“
DonQuixotehelpedhimtorise,withtheassistanceofhissquireTomCecial;fromwhomSanchonevertookhiseyes,andtowhomheputquestions,therepliestowhichfurnishedclearproofthathewasreallyandtrulytheTomCecialhesaid;buttheimpressionmadeonSancho'smindbywhathismastersaidabouttheenchantershavingchangedthefaceoftheKnightoftheMirrorsintothatofthebachelorSamsonCarrasco,wouldnotpermithimtobelievewhathesawwithhiseyes。Infine,bothmasterandmanremainedunderthedelusion;and,downinthemouth,andoutofluck,heoftheMirrorsandhissquirepartedfromDonQuixoteandSancho,hemeaningtogolookforsomevillagewherehecouldplasterandstraphisribs。DonQuixoteandSanchoresumedtheirjourneytoSaragossa,andonitthehistoryleavestheminorderthatitmaytellwhotheKnightoftheMirrorsandhislong-nosedsquirewere。
CHAPTERXV
WHEREINITISTOLDANDKNOWNWHOTHEKNIGHTOFTHEMIRRORSANDHIS
SQUIREWERE
DONQUIXOTEwentoffsatisfied,elated,andvain-gloriousinthehighestdegreeathavingwonavictoryoversuchavaliantknightashefanciedhimoftheMirrorstobe,andonefromwhoseknightlywordheexpectedtolearnwhethertheenchantmentofhisladystillcontinued;inasmuchasthesaidvanquishedknightwasbound,underthepenaltyofceasingtobeone,toreturnandrenderhimanaccountofwhattookplacebetweenhimandher。ButDonQuixotewasofonemind,heoftheMirrorsofanother,forhejustthenhadnothoughtofanythingbutfindingsomevillagewherehecouldplasterhimself,ashasbeensaidalready。Thehistorygoesontosay,then,thatwhenthebachelorSamsonCarrascorecommendedDonQuixotetoresumehisknight-errantrywhichhehadlaidaside,itwasinconsequenceofhavingbeenpreviouslyinconclavewiththecurateandthebarberonthemeanstobeadoptedtoinduceDonQuixotetostayathomeinpeaceandquietwithoutworryinghimselfwithhisill-starredadventures;atwhichconsultationitwasdecidedbytheunanimousvoteofall,andonthespecialadviceofCarrasco,thatDonQuixoteshouldbeallowedtogo,asitseemedimpossibletorestrainhim,andthatSamsonshouldsallyforthtomeethimasaknight-errant,anddobattlewithhim,fortherewouldbenodifficultyaboutacause,andvanquishhim,thatbeinglookeduponasaneasymatter;andthatitshouldbeagreedandsettledthatthevanquishedwastobeatthemercyofthevictor。Then,DonQuixotebeingvanquished,thebachelorknightwastocommandhimtoreturntohisvillageandhishouse,andnotquititfortwoyears,oruntilhereceivedfurtherordersfromhim;allwhichitwasclearDonQuixotewouldunhesitatinglyobey,ratherthancontraveneorfailtoobservethelawsofchivalry;andduringtheperiodofhisseclusionhemightperhapsforgethisfolly,ortheremightbeanopportunityofdiscoveringsomereadyremedyforhismadness。Carrascoundertookthetask,andTomCecial,agossipandneighbourofSanchoPanza's,alively,feather-headedfellow,offeredhimselfashissquire。Carrascoarmedhimselfinthefashiondescribed,andTomCecial,thathemightnotbeknownbyhisgossipwhentheymet,fittedonoverhisownnaturalnosethefalsemasqueradeonethathasbeenmentioned;andsotheyfollowedthesamerouteDonQuixotetook,andalmostcameupwithhimintimetobepresentattheadventureofthecartofDeathandfinallyencounteredtheminthegrove,whereallthatthesagaciousreaderhasbeenreadingabouttookplace;andhaditnotbeenfortheextraordinaryfanciesofDonQuixote,andhisconvictionthatthebachelorwasnotthebachelor,senorbachelorwouldhavebeenincapacitatedforeverfromtakinghisdegreeoflicentiate,allthroughnotfindingnestswherehethoughttofindbirds。
TomCecial,seeinghowilltheyhadsucceeded,andwhatasorryendtheirexpeditionhadcometo,saidtothebachelor,“Sureenough,SenorSamsonCarrasco,weareservedright;itiseasyenoughtoplanandsetaboutanenterprise,butitisoftenadifficultmattertocomewelloutofit。DonQuixoteamadman,andwesane;hegoesofflaughing,safe,andsound,andyouareleftsoreandsorry!I'dliketoknownowwhichisthemadder,hewhoissobecausehecannothelpit,orhewhoissoofhisownchoice?”
TowhichSamsonreplied,“Thedifferencebetweenthetwosortsofmadmenis,thathewhoissowillhenilhe,willbeonealways,whilehewhoissoofhisownaccordcanleaveoffbeingonewheneverhelikes。“
“Inthatcase,“saidTomCecial,“IwasamadmanofmyownaccordwhenIvolunteeredtobecomeyoursquire,and,ofmyownaccord,I'llleaveoffbeingoneandgohome。“
“That'syouraffair,“returnedSamson,“buttosupposethatIamgoinghomeuntilIhavegivenDonQuixoteathrashingisabsurd;anditisnotanywishthathemayrecoverhissensesthatwillmakemehunthimoutnow,butawishforthesorepainIaminwithmyribswon'tletmeentertainmorecharitablethoughts。“
Thusdiscoursing,thepairproceededuntiltheyreachedatownwhereitwastheirgoodlucktofindabone-setter,withwhosehelptheunfortunateSamsonwascured。TomCeciallefthimandwenthome,whilehestayedbehindmeditatingvengeance;andthehistorywillreturntohimagainatthepropertime,soasnottoomitmakingmerrywithDonQuixotenow。
CHAPTERXVI
OFWHATBEFELLDONQUIXOTEWITHADISCREETGENTLEMANOFLAMANCHA
DONQUIXOTEpursuedhisjourneyinthehighspirits,satisfaction,andself-complacencyalreadydescribed,fancyinghimselfthemostvalorousknight-errantoftheageintheworldbecauseofhislatevictory。Alltheadventuresthatcouldbefallhimfromthattimeforthheregardedasalreadydoneandbroughttoahappyissue;hemadelightofenchantmentsandenchanters;hethoughtnomoreofthecountlessdrubbingsthathadbeenadministeredtohiminthecourseofhisknight-errantry,norofthevolleyofstonesthathadlevelledhalfhisteeth,noroftheingratitudeofthegalleyslaves,noroftheaudacityoftheYanguesansandtheshowerofstakesthatfelluponhim;inshort,hesaidtohimselfthatcouldhediscoveranymeans,mode,orwayofdisenchantinghisladyDulcinea,hewouldnotenvythehighestfortunethatthemostfortunateknight-errantofyoreeverreachedorcouldreach。
Hewasgoingalongentirelyabsorbedinthesefancies,whenSanchosaidtohim,“Isn'titodd,senor,thatIhavestillbeforemyeyesthatmonstrousenormousnoseofmygossip,TomCecial?”
“Anddostthou,then,believe,Sancho,“saidDonQuixote,“thattheKnightoftheMirrorswasthebachelorCarrasco,andhissquireTomCecialthygossip?”
“Idon'tknowwhattosaytothat,“repliedSancho;“allIknowisthatthetokenshegavemeaboutmyownhouse,wifeandchildren,nobodyelsebuthimselfcouldhavegivenme;andtheface,oncethenosewasoff,wastheveryfaceofTomCecial,asIhaveseenitmanyatimeinmytownandnextdoortomyownhouse;andthesoundofthevoicewasjustthesame。“
“Letusreasonthematter,Sancho,“saidDonQuixote。“Comenow,bywhatprocessofthinkingcanitbesupposedthatthebachelorSamsonCarrascowouldcomeasaknight-errant,inarmsoffensiveanddefensive,tofightwithme?HaveIeverbeenbyanychancehisenemy?
HaveIevergivenhimanyoccasiontoowemeagrudge?AmIhisrival,ordoesheprofessarms,thatheshouldenvythefameIhaveacquiredinthem?”
“Well,butwhatarewetosay,senor,“returnedSancho,“aboutthatknight,whoeverheis,beingsolikethebachelorCarrasco,andhissquiresolikemygossip,TomCecial?Andifthatbeenchantment,asyourworshipsays,wastherenootherpairintheworldforthemtotakethelikenessof?”
“Itisall,“saidDonQuixote,“aschemeandplotofthemalignantmagiciansthatpersecuteme,who,foreseeingthatIwastobevictoriousintheconflict,arrangedthatthevanquishedknightshoulddisplaythecountenanceofmyfriendthebachelor,inorderthatthefriendshipIbearhimshouldinterposetostaytheedgeofmyswordandmightofmyarm,andtemperthejustwrathofmyheart;sothathewhosoughttotakemylifebyfraudandfalsehoodshouldsavehisown。
Andtoproveit,thouknowestalready,Sancho,byexperiencewhichcannotlieordeceive,howeasyitisforenchanterstochangeonecountenanceintoanother,turningfairintofoul,andfoulintofair;foritisnottwodayssincethousawestwiththineowneyesthebeautyandeleganceofthepeerlessDulcineainallitsperfectionandnaturalharmony,whileIsawherintherepulsiveandmeanformofacoarsecountrywench,withcataractsinhereyesandafoulsmellinhermouth;andwhentheperverseenchanterventuredtoeffectsowickedatransformation,itisnowonderifheeffectedthatofSamsonCarrascoandthygossipinordertosnatchthegloryofvictoryoutofmygrasp。Forallthat,however,Iconsolemyself,because,afterall,inwhatevershapehemayhavebeen,Ihavevictoriousovermyenemy。“
“Godknowswhat'sthetruthofitall,“saidSancho;andknowingashedidthatthetransformationofDulcineahadbeenadeviceandimpositionofhisown,hismaster'sillusionswerenotsatisfactorytohim;buthedidnotliketoreplylestheshouldsaysomethingthatmightdisclosehistrickery。
Astheywereengagedinthisconversationtheywereovertakenbyamanwhowasfollowingthesameroadbehindthem,mountedonaveryhandsomeflea-bittenmare,anddressedinagabanoffinegreencloth,withtawnyvelvetfacings,andamonteraofthesamevelvet。Thetrappingsofthemarewereofthefieldandjinetafashion,andofmulberrycolourandgreen。HecarriedaMoorishcutlasshangingfromabroadgreenandgoldbaldric;thebuskinswereofthesamemakeasthebaldric;thespurswerenotgilt,butlacqueredgreen,andsobrightlypolishedthat,matchingastheydidtherestofhisapparel,theylookedbetterthaniftheyhadbeenofpuregold。
Whenthetravellercameupwiththemhesalutedthemcourteously,andspurringhismarewaspassingthemwithoutstopping,butDonQuixotecalledouttohim,“Gallantsir,ifsobeyourworshipisgoingourroad,andhasnooccasionforspeed,itwouldbeapleasuretomeifweweretojoincompany。“
“Intruth,“repliedheonthemare,“Iwouldnotpassyousohastilybutforfearthathorsemightturnrestiveinthecompanyofmymare。“
“Youmaysafelyholdinyourmare,senor,“saidSanchoinreplytothis,“forourhorseisthemostvirtuousandwell-behavedhorseintheworld;heneverdoesanythingwrongonsuchoccasions,andtheonlytimehemisbehaved,mymasterandIsufferedforitsevenfold;
Isayagainyourworshipmaypullupifyoulike;forifshewasofferedtohimbetweentwoplatesthehorsewouldnothankerafterher。“
Thetravellerdrewrein,amazedatthetrimandfeaturesofDonQuixote,whorodewithouthishelmet,whichSanchocarriedlikeavaliseinfrontofDapple'spack-saddle;andifthemaningreenexaminedDonQuixoteclosely,stillmorecloselydidDonQuixoteexaminethemaningreen,whostruckhimasbeingamanofintelligence。Inappearancehewasaboutfiftyyearsofage,withbutfewgreyhairs,anaquilinecastoffeatures,andanexpressionbetweengraveandgay;andhisdressandaccoutrementsshowedhimtobeamanofgoodcondition。WhatheingreenthoughtofDonQuixoteofLaManchawasthatamanofthatsortandshapehehadneveryetseen;
hemarvelledatthelengthofhishair,hisloftystature,thelanknessandsallownessofhiscountenance,hisarmour,hisbearingandhisgravity-afigureandpicturesuchashadnotbeenseeninthoseregionsformanyalongday。
DonQuixotesawveryplainlytheattentionwithwhichthetravellerwasregardinghim,andreadhiscuriosityinhisastonishment;andcourteousashewasandreadytopleaseeverybody,beforetheothercouldaskhimanyquestionheanticipatedhimbysaying,“TheappearanceIpresenttoyourworshipbeingsostrangeandsooutofthecommon,Ishouldnotbesurprisedifitfilledyouwithwonder;butyouwillceasetowonderwhenItellyou,asIdo,thatIamoneofthoseknightswho,aspeoplesay,goseekingadventures。Ihaveleftmyhome,Ihavemortgagedmyestate,Ihavegivenupmycomforts,andcommittedmyselftothearmsofFortune,tobearmewhithersoevershemayplease。Mydesirewastobringtolifeagainknight-errantry,nowdead,andforsometimepast,stumblinghere,fallingthere,nowcomingdownheadlong,nowraisingmyselfupagain,Ihavecarriedoutagreatportionofmydesign,succouringwidows,protectingmaidens,andgivingaidtowives,orphans,andminors,theproperandnaturaldutyofknights-errant;
and,therefore,becauseofmymanyvaliantandChristianachievements,Ihavebeenalreadyfoundworthytomakemywayinprinttowell-nighall,ormost,ofthenationsoftheearth。Thirtythousandvolumesofmyhistoryhavebeenprinted,anditisonthehigh-roadtobeprintedthirtythousandthousandsoftimes,ifheavendoesnotputastoptoit。Inshort,tosumupallinafewwords,orinasingleone,ImaytellyouIamDonQuixoteofLaMancha,otherwisecalled'TheKnightoftheRuefulCountenance;'forthoughself-praiseisdegrading,Imustperforcesoundmyownsometimes,thatistosay,whenthereisnooneathandtodoitforme。Sothat,gentlesir,neitherthishorse,northislance,northisshield,northissquire,norallthesearmsputtogether,northesallownessofmycountenance,normygauntleanness,willhenceforthastonishyou,nowthatyouknowwhoIamandwhatprofessionIfollow。“
WiththesewordsDonQuixoteheldhispeace,and,fromthetimehetooktoanswer,themaningreenseemedtobeatalossforareply;
afteralongpause,however,hesaidtohim,“Youwererightwhenyousawcuriosityinmyamazement,sirknight;butyouhavenotsucceededinremovingtheastonishmentIfeelatseeingyou;foralthoughyousay,senor,thatknowingwhoyouareoughttoremoveit,ithasnotdoneso;onthecontrary,nowthatIknow,Iamleftmoreamazedandastonishedthanbefore。What!isitpossiblethatthereareknights-errantintheworldinthesedays,andhistoriesofrealchivalryprinted?Icannotrealisethefactthattherecanbeanyoneonearthnow-a-dayswhoaidswidows,orprotectsmaidens,ordefendswives,orsuccoursorphans;norshouldIbelieveithadI
notseenitinyourworshipwithmyowneyes。Blessedbeheaven!forbymeansofthishistoryofyournobleandgenuinechivalrousdeeds,whichyousayhasbeenprinted,thecountlessstoriesoffictitiousknights-errantwithwhichtheworldisfilled,somuchtotheinjuryofmoralityandtheprejudiceanddiscreditofgoodhistories,willhavebeendrivenintooblivion。“
“Thereisagooddealtobesaidonthatpoint,“saidDonQuixote,“astowhetherthehistoriesoftheknights-errantarefictionornot。“
“Why,isthereanyonewhodoubtsthatthosehistoriesarefalse?”
saidthemaningreen。
“Idoubtit,“saidDonQuixote,“butnevermindthatjustnow;ifourjourneylastslongenough,ItrustinGodIshallshowyourworshipthatyoudowrongingoingwiththestreamofthosewhoregarditasamatterofcertaintythattheyarenottrue。“
FromthislastobservationofDonQuixote's,thetravellerbegantohaveasuspicionthathewassomecrazybeing,andwaswaitinghimtoconfirmitbysomethingfurther;butbeforetheycouldturntoanynewsubjectDonQuixotebeggedhimtotellhimwhohewas,sincehehimselfhadrenderedaccountofhisstationandlife。Tothis,heinthegreengabanreplied“I,SirKnightoftheRuefulCountenance,amagentlemanbybirth,nativeofthevillagewhere,pleaseGod,wearegoingtodinetoday;Iammorethanfairlywelloff,andmynameisDonDiegodeMiranda。Ipassmylifewithmywife,children,andfriends;mypursuitsarehuntingandfishing,butIkeepneitherhawksnorgreyhounds,nothingbutatamepartridgeoraboldferretortwo;Ihavesixdozenorsoofbooks,someinourmothertongue,someLatin,someofthemhistory,othersdevotional;thoseofchivalryhavenotasyetcrossedthethresholdofmydoor;Iammoregiventoturningovertheprofanethanthedevotional,solongastheyarebooksofhonestentertainmentthatcharmbytheirstyleandattractandinterestbytheinventiontheydisplay,thoughofthesethereareveryfewinSpain。SometimesIdinewithmyneighboursandfriends,andofteninvitethem;myentertainmentsareneatandwellservedwithoutstintofanything。Ihavenotastefortattle,nordoI
allowtattlinginmypresence;Iprynotintomyneighbours'lives,norhaveIlynx-eyesforwhatothersdo。Ihearmasseveryday;I
sharemysubstancewiththepoor,makingnodisplayofgoodworks,lestIlethypocrisyandvainglory,thoseenemiesthatsubtlytakepossessionofthemostwatchfulheart,findanentranceintomine。I
strivetomakepeacebetweenthosewhomIknowtobeatvariance;IamthedevotedservantofOurLady,andmytrustiseverintheinfinitemercyofGodourLord。“
Sancholistenedwiththegreatestattentiontotheaccountofthegentleman'slifeandoccupation;andthinkingitagoodandaholylife,andthathewholeditoughttoworkmiracles,hethrewhimselfoffDapple,andrunninginhasteseizedhisrightstirrupandkissedhisfootagainandagainwithadevoutheartandalmostwithtears。
Seeingthisthegentlemanaskedhim,“Whatareyouabout,brother?
Whatarethesekissesfor?”
“Letmekiss,“saidSancho,“forIthinkyourworshipisthefirstsaintinthesaddleIeversawallthedaysofmylife。“
“Iamnosaint,“repliedthegentleman,“butagreatsinner;butyouare,brother,foryoumustbeagoodfellow,asyoursimplicityshows。“
Sanchowentbackandregainedhispack-saddle,havingextractedalaughfromhismaster'sprofoundmelancholy,andexcitedfreshamazementinDonDiego。DonQuixotethenaskedhimhowmanychildrenhehad,andobservedthatoneofthethingswhereintheancientphilosophers,whowerewithoutthetrueknowledgeofGod,placedthesummumbonumwasinthegiftsofnature,inthoseoffortune,inhavingmanyfriends,andmanyandgoodchildren。
“I,SenorDonQuixote,“answeredthegentleman,“haveoneson,withoutwhom,perhaps,IshouldcountmyselfhappierthanIam,notbecauseheisabadson,butbecauseheisnotsogoodasIcouldwish。Heiseighteenyearsofage;hehasbeenforsixatSalamancastudyingLatinandGreek,andwhenIwishedhimtoturntothestudyofothersciencesIfoundhimsowrappedupinthatofpoetryifthatcanbecalledasciencethatthereisnogettinghimtotakekindlytothelaw,whichIwishedhimtostudy,ortotheology,thequeenofthemall。Iwouldlikehimtobeanhonourtohisfamily,asweliveindayswhenourkingsliberallyrewardlearningthatisvirtuousandworthy;forlearningwithoutvirtueisapearlonadunghill。HespendsthewholedayinsettlingwhetherHomerexpressedhimselfcorrectlyornotinsuchandsuchalineoftheIliad,whetherMartialwasindecentornotinsuchandsuchanepigram,whethersuchandsuchlinesofVirgilaretobeunderstoodinthiswayorinthat;inshort,allhistalkisoftheworksofthesepoets,andthoseofHorace,Perseus,Juvenal,andTibullus;forofthemodernsinourownlanguagehemakesnogreataccount;butwithallhisseemingindifferencetoSpanishpoetry,justnowhisthoughtsareabsorbedinmakingaglossonfourlinesthathavebeensenthimfromSalamanca,whichI
suspectareforsomepoeticaltournament。“
ToallthisDonQuixotesaidinreply,“Children,senor,areportionsoftheirparents'bowels,andtherefore,betheygoodorbad,aretobelovedaswelovethesoulsthatgiveuslife;itisfortheparentstoguidethemfrominfancyinthewaysofvirtue,propriety,andworthyChristianconduct,sothatwhengrownuptheymaybethestaffoftheirparents'oldage,andthegloryoftheirposterity;andtoforcethemtostudythisorthatscienceIdonotthinkwise,thoughitmaybenoharmtopersuadethem;andwhenthereisnoneedtostudyforthesakeofpanelucrando,anditisthestudent'sgoodfortunethatheavenhasgivenhimparentswhoprovidehimwithit,itwouldbemyadvicetothemtolethimpursuewhateversciencetheymayseehimmostinclinedto;andthoughthatofpoetryislessusefulthanpleasurable,itisnotoneofthosethatbringdiscredituponthepossessor。Poetry,gentlesir,is,asI
takeit,likeatenderyoungmaidenofsupremebeauty,toarray,bedeck,andadornwhomisthetaskofseveralothermaidens,whoarealltherestofthesciences;andshemustavailherselfofthehelpofall,andallderivetheirlustrefromher。Butthismaidenwillnotbeartobehandled,nordraggedthroughthestreets,norexposedeitheratthecornersofthemarket-places,orintheclosetsofpalaces。SheistheproductofanAlchemyofsuchvirtuethathewhoisabletopractiseit,willturnherintopuregoldofinestimableworth。Hethatpossesseshermustkeepherwithinbounds,notpermittinghertobreakoutinribaldsatiresorsoullesssonnets。Shemustonnoaccountbeofferedforsale,unless,indeed,itbeinheroicpoems,movingtragedies,orsprightlyandingeniouscomedies。
Shemustnotbetouchedbythebuffoons,norbytheignorantvulgar,incapableofcomprehendingorappreciatingherhiddentreasures。Anddonotsuppose,senor,thatIapplythetermvulgarheremerelytoplebeiansandthelowerorders;foreveryonewhoisignorant,behelordorprince,mayandshouldbeincludedamongthevulgar。He,then,whoshallembraceandcultivatepoetryundertheconditionsIhavenamed,shallbecomefamous,andhisnamehonouredthroughoutallthecivilisednationsoftheearth。Andwithregardtowhatyousay,senor,ofyoursonhavingnogreatopinionofSpanishpoetry,Iaminclinedtothinkthatheisnotquiterightthere,andforthisreason:thegreatpoetHomerdidnotwriteinLatin,becausehewasaGreek,nordidVirgilwriteinGreek,becausehewasaLatin;inshort,alltheancientpoetswroteinthelanguagetheyimbibedwiththeirmother'smilk,andneverwentinquestofforeignonestoexpresstheirsublimeconceptions;andthatbeingso,theusageshouldinjusticeextendtoallnations,andtheGermanpoetshouldnotbeundervaluedbecausehewritesinhisownlanguage,northeCastilian,noreventheBiscayan,forwritinginhis。Butyourson,senor,Isuspect,isnotprejudicedagainstSpanishpoetry,butagainstthosepoetswhoaremereSpanishversewriters,withoutanyknowledgeofotherlanguagesorsciencestoadornandgivelifeandvigourtotheirnaturalinspiration;andyeteveninthishemaybewrong;for,accordingtoatruebelief,apoetisbornone;thatistosay,thepoetbynaturecomesforthapoetfromhismother'swomb;andfollowingthebentthatheavenhasbestoweduponhim,withouttheaidofstudyorart,heproducesthingsthatshowhowtrulyhespokewhosaid,'EstDeusinnobis,'&c。Atthesametime,Isaythatthepoetbynaturewhocallsinarttohisaidwillbeafarbetterpoet,andwillsurpasshimwhotriestobeonerelyinguponhisknowledgeofartalone。Thereasonis,thatartdoesnotsurpassnature,butonlybringsittoperfection;andthus,naturecombinedwithart,andartwithnature,willproduceaperfectpoet。Tobringmyargumenttoaclose,Iwouldsaythen,gentlesir,letyoursongoonashisstarleadshim,forbeingsostudiousasheseemstobe,andhavingalreadysuccessfullysurmountedthefirststepofthesciences,whichisthatofthelanguages,withtheirhelphewillbyhisownexertionsreachthesummitofpoliteliterature,whichsowellbecomesanindependentgentleman,andadorns,honours,anddistinguisheshim,asmuchasthemitredoesthebishop,orthegownthelearnedcounsellor。Ifyoursonwritesatiresreflectingonthehonourofothers,chideandcorrecthim,andtearthemup;butifhecomposediscoursesinwhichherebukesviceingeneral,inthestyleofHorace,andwithelegancelikehis,commendhim;foritislegitimateforapoettowriteagainstenvyandlashtheenviousinhisverse,andtheothervicestoo,providedhedoesnotsingleoutindividuals;thereare,however,poetswho,forthesakeofsayingsomethingspiteful,wouldruntheriskofbeingbanishedtothecoastofPontus。Ifthepoetbepureinhismorals,hewillbepureinhisversestoo;thepenisthetongueofthemind,andasthethoughtengenderedthere,sowillbethethingsthatitwritesdown。Andwhenkingsandprincesobservethismarvellousscienceofpoetryinwise,virtuous,andthoughtfulsubjects,theyhonour,value,exaltthem,andevencrownthemwiththeleavesofthattreewhichthethunderboltstrikesnot,asiftoshowthattheywhosebrowsarehonouredandadornedwithsuchacrownarenottobeassailedbyanyone。“
HeofthegreengabanwasfilledwithastonishmentatDonQuixote'sargument,somuchsothathebegantoabandonthenotionhehadtakenupabouthisbeingcrazy。Butinthemiddleofthediscourse,itbeingnotverymuchtohistaste,Sanchohadturnedasideoutoftheroadtobegalittlemilkfromsomeshepherds,whoweremilkingtheireweshardby;andjustasthegentleman,highlypleased,wasabouttorenewtheconversation,DonQuixote,raisinghishead,perceivedacartcoveredwithroyalflagscomingalongtheroadtheyweretravelling;
andpersuadedthatthismustbesomenewadventure,hecalledaloudtoSanchotocomeandbringhimhishelmet。Sancho,hearinghimselfcalled,quittedtheshepherds,and,proddingDapplevigorously,cameuptohismaster,towhomtherefellaterrificanddesperateadventure。
CHAPTERXVII
WHEREINISSHOWNTHEFURTHESTANDHIGHESTPOINTWHICHTHEUNEXAMPLED
COURAGEOFDONQUIXOTEREACHEDORCOULDREACH;TOGETHERWITHTHE
HAPPILYACHIEVEDADVENTUREOFTHELIONS
THEhistorytellsthatwhenDonQuixotecalledouttoSanchotobringhimhishelmet,Sanchowasbuyingsomecurdstheshepherdsagreedtosellhim,andflurriedbythegreathastehismasterwasindidnotknowwhattodowiththemorwhattocarrythemin;so,nottolosethem,forhehadalreadypaidforthem,hethoughtitbesttothrowthemintohismaster'shelmet,andactingonthisbrightideahewenttoseewhathismasterwantedwithhim。He,asheapproached,exclaimedtohim:
“Givemethathelmet,myfriend,foreitherIknowlittleofadventures,orwhatIobserveyonderisonethatwill,anddoes,calluponmetoarmmyself。“
Heofthegreengaban,onhearingthis,lookedinalldirections,butcouldperceivenothing,exceptacartcomingtowardsthemwithtwoorthreesmallflags,whichledhimtoconcludeitmustbecarryingtreasureoftheKing's,andhesaidsotoDonQuixote。He,however,wouldnotbelievehim,beingalwayspersuadedandconvincedthatallthathappenedtohimmustbeadventuresandstillmoreadventures;
soherepliedtothegentleman,“Hewhoispreparedhashisbattlehalffought;nothingislostbymypreparingmyself,forIknowbyexperiencethatIhaveenemies,visibleandinvisible,andIknownotwhen,orwhere,oratwhatmoment,orinwhatshapestheywillattackme;“andturningtoSanchohecalledforhishelmet;andSancho,ashehadnotimetotakeoutthecurds,hadtogiveitjustasitwas。DonQuixotetookit,andwithoutperceivingwhatwasinitthrustitdowninhothasteuponhishead;butasthecurdswerepressedandsqueezedthewheybegantorunalloverhisfaceandbeard,whereathewassostartledthathecriedouttoSancho:
“Sancho,what'sthis?Ithinkmyheadissoftening,ormybrainsaremelting,orIamsweatingfromheadtofoot!IfIamsweatingitisnotindeedfromfear。Iamconvincedbeyondadoubtthattheadventurewhichisabouttobefallmeisaterribleone。Givemesomethingtowipemyselfwith,ifthouhastit,forthisprofusesweatisblindingme。“
Sanchoheldhistongue,andgavehimacloth,andgavethankstoGodatthesametimethathismasterhadnotfoundoutwhatwasthematter。DonQuixotethenwipedhimself,andtookoffhishelmettoseewhatitwasthatmadehisheadfeelsocool,andseeingallthatwhitemashinsidehishelmetheputittohisnose,andassoonashehadsmeltitheexclaimed:
“BythelifeofmyladyDulcineadelToboso,butitiscurdsthouhastputhere,thoutreacherous,impudent,ill-manneredsquire!”
Towhich,withgreatcomposureandpretendedinnocence,Sanchoreplied,“Iftheyarecurdsletmehavethem,yourworship,andI'lleatthem;butletthedevileatthem,foritmusthavebeenhewhoputthemthere。Idaretodirtyyourhelmet!Youhaveguessedtheoffenderfinely!Faith,sir,bythelightGodgivesme,itseemsImusthaveenchanterstoo,thatpersecutemeasacreatureandlimbofyourworship,andtheymusthaveputthatnastinessthereinordertoprovokeyourpatiencetoanger,andmakeyoubastemyribsasyouarewonttodo。Well,thistime,indeed,theyhavemissedtheiraim,forItrusttomymaster'sgoodsensetoseethatIhavegotnocurdsormilk,oranythingofthesort;andthatifIhaditisinmystomachIwouldputitandnotinthehelmet。“
“Mayheso,“saidDonQuixote。Allthisthegentlemanwasobserving,andwithastonishment,moreespeciallywhen,afterhavingwipedhimselfclean,hishead,face,beard,andhelmet,DonQuixoteputiton,andsettlinghimselffirmlyinhisstirrups,easinghisswordinthescabbard,andgraspinghislance,hecried,“Now,comewhowill,hereamI,readytotryconclusionswithSatanhimselfinperson!”
Bythistimethecartwiththeflagshadcomeup,unattendedbyanyoneexceptthecarteronamule,andamansittinginfront。DonQuixoteplantedhimselfbeforeitandsaid,“Whitherareyougoing,brothers?Whatcartisthis?Whathaveyougotinit?Whatflagsarethose?”
Tothisthecarterreplied,“Thecartismine;whatisinitisapairofwildcagedlions,whichthegovernorofOranissendingtocourtasapresenttohisMajesty;andtheflagsareourlordtheKing's,toshowthatwhatishereishisproperty。“
“Andarethelionslarge?”askedDonQuixote。
“Solarge,“repliedthemanwhosatatthedoorofthecart,“thatlarger,oraslarge,havenevercrossedfromAfricatoSpain;Iamthekeeper,andIhavebroughtoverothers,butneveranylikethese。Theyaremaleandfemale;themaleisinthatfirstcageandthefemaleintheonebehind,andtheyarehungrynow,fortheyhaveeatennothingto-day,soletyourworshipstandaside,forwemustmakehastetotheplacewherewearetofeedthem。“
Hereupon,smilingslightly,DonQuixoteexclaimed,“Lion-whelpstome!tomewhelpsoflions,andatsuchatime!Then,byGod!thosegentlemenwhosendthemhereshallseeifIamamantobefrightenedbylions。Getdown,mygoodfellow,andasyouarethekeeperopenthecages,andturnmeoutthosebeasts,andinthemidstofthisplainIwillletthemknowwhoDonQuixoteofLaManchais,inspiteandintheteethoftheenchanterswhosendthemtome。“
“So,so,“saidthegentlemantohimselfatthis;“ourworthyknighthasshownofwhatsortheis;thecurds,nodoubt,havesoftenedhisskullandbroughthisbrainstoahead。“
AtthisinstantSanchocameuptohim,saying,“Senor,forGod'ssakedosomethingtokeepmymaster,DonQuixote,fromtacklingtheselions;forifhedoesthey'lltearusalltopieceshere。“
“Isyourmasterthensomad,“askedthegentleman,“thatyoubelieveandareafraidhewillengagesuchfierceanimals?”
“Heisnotmad,“saidSancho,“butheisventuresome。“
“Iwillpreventit,“saidthegentleman;andgoingovertoDonQuixote,whowasinsistinguponthekeeper'sopeningthecages,hesaidtohim,“Sirknight,knights-errantshouldattemptadventureswhichencouragethehopeofasuccessfulissue,notthosewhichentirelywithholdit;forvalourthattrenchesupontemeritysavoursratherofmadnessthanofcourage;moreover,theselionsdonotcometoopposeyou,nordotheydreamofsuchathing;theyaregoingaspresentstohisMajesty,anditwillnotberighttostopthemordelaytheirjourney。“
“Gentlesir,“repliedDonQuixote,“yougoandmindyourtamepartridgeandyourboldferret,andleaveeveryonetomanagehisownbusiness;thisismine,andIknowwhetherthesegentlementhelionscometomeornot;“andthenturningtothekeeperheexclaimed,“Byallthat'sgood,sirscoundrel,ifyoudon'topenthecagesthisveryinstant,I'llpinyoutothecartwiththislance。“
Thecarter,seeingthedeterminationofthisapparitioninarmour,saidtohim,“Pleaseyourworship,forcharity'ssake,senor,letmeunyokethemulesandplacemyselfinsafetyalongwiththembeforethelionsareturnedout;foriftheykillthemonmeIamruinedforlife,forallIpossessisthiscartandmules。“
“Omanoflittlefaith,“repliedDonQuixote,“getdownandunyoke;youwillsoonseethatyouareexertingyourselffornothing,andthatyoumighthavesparedyourselfthetrouble。“
Thecartergotdownandwithallspeedunyokedthemules,andthekeepercalledoutatthetopofhisvoice,“IcallallheretowitnessthatagainstmywillandundercompulsionIopenthecagesandletthelionsloose,andthatIwarnthisgentlemanthathewillbeaccountableforalltheharmandmischiefwhichthesebeastsmaydo,andformysalaryandduesaswell。You,gentlemen,placeyourselvesinsafetybeforeIopen,forIknowtheywilldomenoharm。“
OncemorethegentlemanstrovetopersuadeDonQuixotenottodosuchamadthing,asitwastemptingGodtoengageinsuchapieceoffolly。Tothis,DonQuixoterepliedthatheknewwhathewasabout。
Thegentlemaninreturnentreatedhimtoreflect,forheknewhewasunderadelusion。
“Well,senor,“answeredDonQuixote,“ifyoudonotliketobeaspectatorofthistragedy,asinyouropinionitwillbe,spuryourflea-bittenmare,andplaceyourselfinsafety。“
Hearingthis,Sanchowithtearsinhiseyesentreatedhimtogiveupanenterprisecomparedwithwhichtheoneofthewindmills,andtheawfuloneofthefullingmills,and,infact,allthefeatshehadattemptedinthewholecourseofhislife,werecakesandfancybread。
“Lookye,senor,“saidSancho,“there'snoenchantmenthere,noranythingofthesort,forbetweenthebarsandchinksofthecageI
haveseenthepawofareallion,andjudgingbythatIreckonthelionsuchapawcouldbelongtomustbebiggerthanamountain。“
“Fearatanyrate,“repliedDonQuixote,“willmakehimlookbiggertotheethanhalftheworld。Retire,Sancho,andleaveme;
andifIdieherethouknowestouroldcompact;thouwiltrepairtoDulcinea-Isaynomore。“Totheseheaddedsomefurtherwordsthatbanishedallhopeofhisgivinguphisinsaneproject。Heofthegreengabanwouldhaveofferedresistance,buthefoundhimselfill-matchedastoarms,anddidnotthinkitprudenttocometoblowswithamadman,forsuchDonQuixotenowshowedhimselftobeineveryrespect;andthelatter,renewinghiscommandstothekeeperandrepeatinghisthreats,gavewarningtothegentlemantospurhismare,SanchohisDapple,andthecarterhismules,allstrivingtogetawayfromthecartasfarastheycouldbeforethelionsbrokeloose。Sanchowasweepingoverhismaster'sdeath,forthistimehefirmlybelieveditwasinstoreforhimfromtheclawsofthelions;andhecursedhisfateandcalleditanunluckyhourwhenhethoughtoftakingservicewithhimagain;butwithallhistearsandlamentationshedidnotforgettothrashDapplesoastoputagoodspacebetweenhimselfandthecart。Thekeeper,seeingthatthefugitiveswerenowsomedistanceoff,oncemoreentreatedandwarnedhimasbefore;butherepliedthatheheardhim,andthatheneednottroublehimselfwithanyfurtherwarningsorentreaties,astheywouldbefruitless,andbadehimmakehaste。
Duringthedelaythatoccurredwhilethekeeperwasopeningthefirstcage,DonQuixotewasconsideringwhetheritwouldnotbewelltodobattleonfoot,insteadofonhorseback,andfinallyresolvedtofightonfoot,fearingthatRocinantemighttakefrightatthesightofthelions;hethereforesprangoffhishorse,flunghislanceaside,bracedhisbuckleronhisarm,anddrawinghissword,advancedslowlywithmarvellousintrepidityandresolutecourage,toplanthimselfinfrontofthecart,commendinghimselfwithallhishearttoGodandtohisladyDulcinea。
Itistobeobserved,thatoncomingtothispassage,theauthorofthisveracioushistorybreaksoutintoexclamations。“OdoughtyDonQuixote!high-mettledpastextolling!Mirror,whereinalltheheroesoftheworldmayseethemselves!SecondmodernDonManueldeLeon,oncethegloryandhonourofSpanishknighthood!InwhatwordsshallI
describethisdreadexploit,bywhatlanguageshallImakeitcredibletoagestocome,whateulogiesarethereunmeetforthee,thoughtheybehyperbolespiledonhyperboles!Onfoot,alone,undaunted,high-souled,withbutasimplesword,andthatnotrenchantbladeofthePerrillobrand,ashield,butnobrightpolishedsteelone,therestoodstthou,bidingandawaitingthetwofiercestlionsthatAfrica'sforestseverbred!Thyowndeedsbethypraise,valiantManchegan,andhereIleavethemastheystand,wantingthewordswherewithtoglorifythem!”
Heretheauthor'soutburstcametoanend,andheproceededtotakeupthethreadofhisstory,sayingthatthekeeper,seeingthatDonQuixotehadtakenuphisposition,andthatitwasimpossibleforhimtoavoidlettingoutthemalewithoutincurringtheenmityofthefieryanddaringknight,flungopenthedoorsofthefirstcage,containing,ashasbeensaid,thelion,whichwasnowseentobeofenormoussize,andgrimandhideousmien。Thefirstthinghedidwastoturnroundinthecageinwhichhelay,andprotrudehisclaws,andstretchhimselfthoroughly;henextopenedhismouth,andyawnedveryleisurely,andwithneartwopalms'lengthoftonguethathehadthrustforth,helickedthedustoutofhiseyesandwashedhisface;havingdonethis,heputhisheadoutofthecageandlookedallroundwitheyeslikeglowingcoals,aspectacleanddemeanourtostriketerrorintotemerityitself。DonQuixotemerelyobservedhimsteadily,longingforhimtoleapfromthecartandcometoclosequarterswithhim,whenhehopedtohewhiminpieces。
Sofardidhisunparalleledmadnessgo;butthenoblelion,morecourteousthanarrogant,nottroublinghimselfaboutsillybravado,afterhavinglookedallround,ashasbeensaid,turnedaboutandpresentedhishind-quarterstoDonQuixote,andverycoollyandtranquillylaydownagaininthecage。Seeingthis,DonQuixoteorderedthekeepertotakeasticktohimandprovokehimtomakehimcomeout。
“ThatIwon't,“saidthekeeper;“forifIangerhim,thefirsthe'lltearinpieceswillbemyself。Besatisfied,sirknight,withwhatyouhavedone,whichleavesnothingmoretobesaidonthescoreofcourage,anddonotseektotemptfortuneasecondtime。
Thelionhasthedooropen;heisfreetocomeoutornottocomeout;
butashehasnotcomeoutsofar,hewillnotcomeoutto-day。Yourworship'sgreatcouragehasbeenfullymanifestedalready;nobravechampion,soitstrikesme,isboundtodomorethanchallengehisenemyandwaitforhimonthefield;ifhisadversarydoesnotcome,onhimliesthedisgrace,andhewhowaitsforhimcarriesoffthecrownofvictory。“
“Thatistrue,“saidDonQuixote;“closethedoor,myfriend,andletmehave,inthebestformthoucanst,whatthouhastseenmedo,bywayofcertificate;towit,thatthoudidstopenforthelion,thatIwaitedforhim,thathedidnotcomeout,thatIstillwaitedforhim,andthatstillhedidnotcomeout,andlaydownagain。Iamnotboundtodomore;enchantmentsavaunt,andGodupholdtheright,thetruth,andtruechivalry!ClosethedoorasIbadethee,whileI
makesignalstothefugitivesthathaveleftus,thattheymaylearnthisexploitfromthylips。“
Thekeeperobeyed,andDonQuixote,fixingonthepointofhislancetheclothhehadwipedhisfacewithafterthedelugeofcurds,proceededtorecalltheothers,whostillcontinuedtofly,lookingbackateverystep,allinabody,thegentlemanbringinguptherear。
Sancho,however,happeningtoobservethesignalofthewhitecloth,exclaimed,“MayIdie,ifmymasterhasnotovercomethewildbeasts,forheiscallingtous。“
Theyallstopped,andperceivedthatitwasDonQuixotewhowasmakingsignals,andshakingofftheirfearstosomeextent,theyapproachedslowlyuntiltheywerenearenoughtoheardistinctlyDonQuixote'svoicecallingtothem。Theyreturnedatlengthtothecart,andastheycameup,DonQuixotesaidtothecarter,“Putyourmulestooncemore,brother,andcontinueyourjourney;anddothou,Sancho,givehimtwogoldcrownsforhimselfandthekeeper,tocompensateforthedelaytheyhaveincurredthroughme。“
“ThatwillIgivewithallmyheart,“saidSancho;“butwhathasbecomeofthelions?Aretheydeadoralive?”
Thekeeper,then,infulldetail,andbitbybit,describedtheendofthecontest,exaltingtothebestofhispowerandabilitythevalourofDonQuixote,atthesightofwhomthelionquailed,andwouldnotanddarednotcomeoutofthecage,althoughhehadheldthedooropeneversolong;andshowinghow,inconsequenceofhishavingrepresentedtotheknightthatitwastemptingGodtoprovokethelioninordertoforcehimout,whichhewishedtohavedone,heveryreluctantly,andaltogetheragainsthiswill,hadallowedthedoortobeclosed。
“Whatdostthouthinkofthis,Sancho?”saidDonQuixote。“Arethereanyenchantmentsthatcanprevailagainsttruevalour?Theenchantersmaybeabletorobmeofgoodfortune,butoffortitudeandcouragetheycannot。“
Sanchopaidthecrowns,thecarterputto,thekeeperkissedDonQuixote'shandsforthebountybestoweduponhim,andpromisedtogiveanaccountofthevaliantexploittotheKinghimself,assoonashesawhimatcourt。
“Then,“saidDonQuixote,“ifhisMajestyshouldhappentoaskwhoperformedit,youmustsayTHEKNIGHTOFTHELIONS;foritismydesirethatintothisthenameIhavehithertoborneofKnightoftheRuefulCountenancebefromthistimeforwardchanged,altered,transformed,andturned;andinthisIfollowtheancientusageofknights-errant,whochangedtheirnameswhentheypleased,orwhenitsuitedtheirpurpose。“
Thecartwentitsway,andDonQuixote,Sancho,andheofthegreengabanwenttheirs。Allthistime,DonDiegodeMirandahadnotspokenaword,beingentirelytakenupwithobservingandnotingallthatDonQuixotedidandsaid,andtheopinionheformedwasthathewasamanofbrainsgonemad,andamadmanonthevergeofrationality。Thefirstpartofhishistoryhadnotyetreachedhim,for,hadhereadit,theamazementwithwhichhiswordsanddeedsfilledhimwouldhavevanished,ashewouldthenhaveunderstoodthenatureofhismadness;butknowingnothingofit,hetookhimtoberationalonemoment,andcrazythenext,forwhathesaidwassensible,elegant,andwellexpressed,andwhathedid,absurd,rash,andfoolish;andsaidhetohimself,“Whatcouldbemadderthanputtingonahelmetfullofcurds,andthenpersuadingoneselfthatenchantersaresofteningone'sskull;orwhatcouldbegreaterrashnessandfollythanwantingtofightlionstoothandnail?”
DonQuixoterousedhimfromthesereflectionsandthissoliloquybysaying,“Nodoubt,SenorDonDiegodeMiranda,yousetmedowninyourmindasafoolandamadman,anditwouldbenowonderifyoudid,formydeedsdonotargueanythingelse。Butforallthat,I
wouldhaveyoutakenoticethatIamneithersomadnorsofoolishasImusthaveseemedtoyou。Agallantknightshowstoadvantagebringinghislancetobearadroitlyuponafiercebullundertheeyesofhissovereign,inthemidstofaspaciousplaza;aknightshowstoadvantagearrayedinglitteringarmour,pacingthelistsbeforetheladiesinsomejoyoustournament,andallthoseknightsshowtoadvantagethatentertain,divert,and,ifwemaysayso,honourthecourtsoftheirprincesbywarlikeexercises,orwhatresemblethem;buttogreateradvantagethanallthesedoesaknight-errantshowwhenhetraversesdeserts,solitudes,cross-roads,forests,andmountains,inquestofperilousadventures,bentonbringingthemtoahappyandsuccessfulissue,alltowinagloriousandlastingrenown。Togreateradvantage,I
maintain,doestheknight-errantshowbringingaidtosomewidowinsomelonelywaste,thanthecourtknightdallyingwithsomecitydamsel。Allknightshavetheirownspecialpartstoplay;letthecourtierdevotehimselftotheladies,lethimaddlustretohissovereign'scourtbyhisliveries,lethimentertainpoorgentlemenwiththesumptuousfareofhistable,lethimarrangejoustings,marshaltournaments,andprovehimselfnoble,generous,andmagnificent,andaboveallagoodChristian,andsodoinghewillfulfilthedutiesthatareespeciallyhis;butlettheknight-errantexplorethecornersoftheearthandpenetratethemostintricatelabyrinths,ateachsteplethimattemptimpossibilities,ondesolateheathslethimenduretheburningraysofthemidsummersun,andthebitterinclemencyofthewinterwindsandfrosts;letnolionsdaunthim,nomonstersterrifyhim,nodragonsmakehimquail;fortoseekthese,toattackthose,andtovanquishall,areintruthhismainduties。I,then,asithasfallentomylottobeamemberofknight-errantry,cannotavoidattemptingallthattomeseemstocomewithinthesphereofmyduties;thusitwasmyboundendutytoattackthoselionsthatIjustnowattacked,althoughIknewittobetheheightofrashness;forIknowwellwhatvalouris,thatitisavirtuethatoccupiesaplacebetweentwoviciousextremes,cowardiceandtemerity;butitwillbealesserevilforhimwhoisvalianttorisetillhereachesthepointofrashness,thantosinkuntilhereachesthepointofcowardice;for,asitiseasierfortheprodigalthanforthemisertobecomegenerous,soitiseasierforarashmantoprovetrulyvaliantthanforacowardtorisetotruevalour;andbelieveme,SenorDonDiego,inattemptingadventuresitisbettertolosebyacardtoomanythanbyacardtoofew;fortohearitsaid,'suchaknightisrashanddaring,'
soundsbetterthan'suchaknightistimidandcowardly。'“
“Iprotest,SenorDonQuixote,“saidDonDiego,“everythingyouhavesaidanddoneisprovedcorrectbythetestofreasonitself;andI
believe,ifthelawsandordinancesofknight-errantryshouldbelost,theymightbefoundinyourworship'sbreastasintheirownproperdepositoryandmuniment-house;butletusmakehaste,andreachmyvillage,whereyoushalltakerestafteryourlateexertions;foriftheyhavenotbeenofthebodytheyhavebeenofthespirit,andthesesometimestendtoproducebodilyfatigue。“
“Itaketheinvitationasagreatfavourandhonour,SenorDonDiego,“repliedDonQuixote;andpressingforwardatabetterpacethanbefore,atabouttwointheafternoontheyreachedthevillageandhouseofDonDiego,or,asDonQuixotecalledhim,“TheKnightoftheGreenGaban。“
CHAPTERXVIII
OFWHATHAPPENEDDONQUIXOTEINTHECASTLEORHOUSEOFTHEKNIGHTOF
THEGREENGABAN,TOGETHERWITHOTHERMATTERSOUTOFTHECOMMON
DONQUIXOTEfoundDonDiegodeMiranda'shousebuiltinvillagestyle,withhisarmsinroughstoneoverthestreetdoor;inthepatiowasthestore-room,andattheentrancethecellar,withplentyofwine-jarsstandinground,which,comingfromElToboso,broughtbacktohismemoryhisenchantedandtransformedDulcinea;andwithasigh,andnotthinkingofwhathewassaying,orinwhosepresencehewas,heexclaimed-
“Oyesweettreasures,tomysorrowfound!
Oncesweetandwelcomewhen'twasheaven'sgood-will。
OyeTobosanjars,howyebringbacktomymemorythesweetobjectofmybitterregrets!”
Thestudentpoet,DonDiego'sson,whohadcomeoutwithhismothertoreceivehim,heardthisexclamation,andbothmotherandsonwerefilledwithamazementattheextraordinaryfigurehepresented;
he,however,dismountingfromRocinante,advancedwithgreatpolitenesstoaskpermissiontokissthelady'shand,whileDonDiegosaid,“Senora,prayreceivewithyourwontedkindnessSenorDonQuixoteofLaMancha,whomyouseebeforeyou,aknight-errant,andthebravestandwisestintheworld。“
Thelady,whosenamewasDonaChristina,receivedhimwitheverysignofgood-willandgreatcourtesy,andDonQuixoteplacedhimselfatherservicewithanabundanceofwell-chosenandpolishedphrases。Almostthesamecivilitieswereexchangedbetweenhimandthestudent,wholisteningtoDonQuixote,tookhimtobeasensible,clear-headedperson。
HeretheauthordescribesminutelyeverythingbelongingtoDonDiego'smansion,puttingbeforeusinhispicturethewholecontentsofarichgentleman-farmer'shouse;butthetranslatorofthehistorythoughtitbesttopassovertheseandotherdetailsofthesamesortinsilence,astheyarenotinharmonywiththemainpurposeofthestory,thestrongpointofwhichistruthratherthandulldigressions。
TheyledDonQuixoteintoaroom,andSanchoremovedhisarmour,leavinghiminlooseWalloonbreechesandchamois-leatherdoublet,allstainedwiththerustofhisarmour;hiscollarwasafallingoneofscholasticcut,withoutstarchorlace,hisbuskinsbuff-coloured,andhisshoespolished。Heworehisgoodsword,whichhunginabaldricofsea-wolf'sskin,forhehadsufferedformanyyears,theysay,fromanailmentofthekidneys;andoverallhethrewalongcloakofgoodgreycloth。Butfirstofall,withfiveorsixbucketsofwaterforasregardthenumberofbucketsthereissomedispute,hewashedhisheadandface,andstillthewaterremainedwhey-coloured,thankstoSancho'sgreedinessandpurchaseofthoseunluckycurdsthatturnedhismastersowhite。Thusarrayed,andwithaneasy,sprightly,andgallantair,DonQuixotepassedoutintoanotherroom,wherethestudentwaswaitingtoentertainhimwhilethetablewasbeinglaid;
foronthearrivalofsodistinguishedaguest,DonaChristinawasanxioustoshowthatsheknewhowandwasabletogiveabecomingreceptiontothosewhocametoherhouse。
WhileDonQuixotewastakingoffhisarmour,DonLorenzoforsoDonDiego'ssonwascalledtooktheopportunitytosaytohisfather,“Whatarewetomakeofthisgentlemanyouhavebroughthometous,sir?Forhisname,hisappearance,andyourdescribinghimasaknight-erranthavecompletelypuzzledmymotherandme。“
“Idon'tknowwhattosay,myson,“replied。DonDiego;“allIcantelltheeisthatIhaveseenhimacttheactsofthegreatestmadmanintheworld,andheardhimmakeobservationssosensiblethattheyeffaceandundoallhedoes;dothoutalktohimandfeelthepulseofhiswits,andasthouartshrewd,formthemostreasonableconclusionthoucanstastohiswisdomorfolly;though,totellthetruth,Iammoreinclinedtotakehimtobemadthansane。“
WiththisDonLorenzowentawaytoentertainDonQuixoteashasbeensaid,andinthecourseoftheconversationthatpassedbetweenthemDonQuixotesaidtoDonLorenzo,“Yourfather,SenorDonDiegodeMiranda,hastoldmeoftherareabilitiesandsubtleintellectyoupossess,and,aboveall,thatyouareagreatpoet。“
“Apoet,itmaybe,“repliedDonLorenzo,“butagreatone,bynomeans。ItistruethatIamsomewhatgiventopoetryandtoreadinggoodpoets,butnotsomuchsoastojustifythetitleof'great'
whichmyfathergivesme。“
“Idonotdislikethatmodesty,“saidDonQuixote;“forthereisnopoetwhoisnotconceitedanddoesnotthinkheisthebestpoetintheworld。“
“Thereisnorulewithoutanexception,“saidDonLorenzo;“theremaybesomewhoarepoetsandyetdonotthinktheyare。“
“Veryfew,“saidDonQuixote;“buttellme,whatversesarethosewhichyouhavenowinhand,andwhichyourfathertellsmekeepyousomewhatrestlessandabsorbed?Ifitbesomegloss,Iknowsomethingaboutglosses,andIshouldliketohearthem;andiftheyareforapoeticaltournament,contrivetocarryoffthesecondprize;
forthefirstalwaysgoesbyfavourorpersonalstanding,thesecondbysimplejustice;andsothethirdcomestobethesecond,andthefirst,reckoninginthisway,willbethird,inthesamewayaslicentiatedegreesareconferredattheuniversities;but,forallthat,thetitleoffirstisagreatdistinction。“
“Sofar,“saidDonLorenzotohimself,“Ishouldnottakeyoutobeamadman;butletusgoon。“Sohesaidtohim,“Yourworshiphasapparentlyattendedtheschools;whatscienceshaveyoustudied?”
“Thatofknight-errantry,“saidDonQuixote,“whichisasgoodasthatofpoetry,andevenafingerortwoaboveit。“
“Idonotknowwhatsciencethatis,“saidDonLorenzo,“anduntilnowIhaveneverheardofit。“
“Itisascience,“saidDonQuixote,“thatcomprehendsinitselfallormostofthesciencesintheworld,forhewhoprofessesitmustbeajurist,andmustknowtherulesofjustice,distributiveandequitable,soastogivetoeachonewhatbelongstohimandisduetohim。Hemustbeatheologian,soastobeabletogiveaclearanddistinctivereasonfortheChristianfaithheprofesses,whereveritmaybeaskedofhim。Hemustbeaphysician,andaboveallaherbalist,soasinwastesandsolitudestoknowtheherbsthathavethepropertyofhealingwounds,foraknight-errantmustnotgolookingforsomeonetocurehimateverystep。Hemustbeanastronomer,soastoknowbythestarshowmanyhoursofthenighthavepassed,andwhatclimeandquarteroftheworldheisin。Hemustknowmathematics,forateveryturnsomeoccasionforthemwillpresentitselftohim;and,puttingitasidethathemustbeadornedwithallthevirtues,cardinalandtheological,tocomedowntominorparticulars,hemust,Isay,beabletoswimaswellasNicholasorNicolaotheFishcould,asthestorygoes;hemustknowhowtoshoeahorse,andrepairhissaddleandbridle;and,toreturntohighermatters,hemustbefaithfultoGodandtohislady;hemustbepureinthought,decorousinwords,generousinworks,valiantindeeds,patientinsuffering,compassionatetowardstheneedy,and,lastly,anupholderofthetruththoughitsdefenceshouldcosthimhislife。
Ofallthesequalities,greatandsmall,isatrueknight-errantmadeup;judgethen,SenorDonLorenzo,whetheritbeacontemptiblesciencewhichtheknightwhostudiesandprofessesithastolearn,andwhetheritmaynotcomparewiththeveryloftiestthataretaughtintheschools。“
“Ifthatbeso,“repliedDonLorenzo,“thisscience,Iprotest,surpassesall。“
“How,ifthatbeso?”saidDonQuixote。
“WhatImeantosay,“saidDonLorenzo,“is,thatIdoubtwhethertherearenow,oreverwere,anyknights-errant,andadornedwithsuchvirtues。“
“Manyatime,“repliedDonQuixote,“haveIsaidwhatInowsayoncemore,thatthemajorityoftheworldareofopinionthatthereneverwereanyknights-errantinit;andasitismyopinionthat,unlessheavenbysomemiraclebringshometothemthetruththattherewereandare,allthepainsonetakeswillbeinvainasexperiencehasoftenprovedtome,Iwillnotnowstoptodisabuseyouoftheerroryousharewiththemultitude。AllIshalldoistopraytoheaventodeliveryoufromit,andshowyouhowbeneficialandnecessaryknights-errantwereindaysofyore,andhowusefultheywouldbeinthesedaysweretheybutinvogue;butnow,forthesinsofthepeople,slothandindolence,gluttonyandluxuryaretriumphant。“
“Ourguesthasbrokenoutonourhands,“saidDonLorenzotohimselfatthispoint;“but,forallthat,heisagloriousmadman,andI
shouldbeadullblockheadtodoubtit。“
Here,beingsummonedtodinner,theybroughttheircolloquytoaclose。DonDiegoaskedhissonwhathehadbeenabletomakeoutastothewitsoftheirguest。Towhichhereplied,“Allthedoctorsandcleverscribesintheworldwillnotmakesenseofthescrawlofhismadness;heisamadmanfullofstreaks,fulloflucidintervals。“
Theywentintodinner,andtherepastwassuchasDonDiegosaidontheroadhewasinthehabitofgivingtohisguests,neat,plentiful,andtasty;butwhatpleasedDonQuixotemostwasthemarvelloussilencethatreignedthroughoutthehouse,foritwaslikeaCarthusianmonastery。
Whentheclothhadbeenremoved,gracesaidandtheirhandswashed,DonQuixoteearnestlypressedDonLorenzotorepeattohimhisversesforthepoeticaltournament,towhichhereplied,“Nottobelikethosepoetswho,whentheyareaskedtorecitetheirverses,refuse,andwhentheyarenotaskedforthemvomitthemup,Iwillrepeatmygloss,forwhichIdonotexpectanyprize,havingcomposeditmerelyasanexerciseofingenuity。“
“Adiscerningfriendofmine,“saidDonQuixote,“wasofopinionthatnooneoughttowastelabouringlossingverses;andthereasonhegavewasthattheglosscannevercomeuptothetext,andthatoftenormostfrequentlyitwandersawayfromthemeaningandpurposeaimedatintheglossedlines;andbesides,thatthelawsoftheglossweretoostrict,astheydidnotallowinterrogations,nor'saidhe,'nor'Isay,'norturningverbsintonouns,oralteringtheconstruction,nottospeakofotherrestrictionsandlimitationsthatfettergloss-writers,asyounodoubtknow。“
“Verily,SenorDonQuixote,“saidDonLorenzo,“IwishIcouldcatchyourworshiptrippingatastretch,butIcannot,foryouslipthroughmyfingerslikeaneel。“
“Idon'tunderstandwhatyousay,ormeanbyslipping,“saidDonQuixote。
“Iwillexplainmyselfanothertime,“saidDonLorenzo;“forthepresentprayattendtotheglossedversesandthegloss,whichrunthus:
Could'was'becomean'is'forme,ThenwouldIasknomorethanthis;
Orcould,forme,thetimethatisBecomethetimethatistobe!-
GLOSS
DameFortuneonceuponadayTomewasbountifulandkind;
Butallthingschange;shechangedhermind,Andwhatshegaveshetookaway。
OFortune,longI'vesuedtothee;
Thegiftsthougavestmerestore,For,trustme,Iwouldasknomore,Could'was'becomean'is'forme。
NootherprizeIseektogain,Notriumph,glory,orsuccess,Onlythelong-losthappiness,Thememorywhereofispain。
Onetaste,methinks,ofbygoneblissTheheart-consumingfiremightstay;
And,soitcomewithoutdelay,ThenwouldIasknomorethanthis。
Iaskwhatcannotbe,alas!
Thattimeshouldeverbe,andthenComebacktous,andbeagain,Nopoweronearthcanbringtopass;
Forfleetoffootishe,Iwis,Andidly,therefore,doweprayThatwhatforayehathleftusmayBecomeforusthetimethatis。
Perplexed,uncertain,toremain'Twixthopeandfear,isdeath,notlife;
'Twerebetter,sure,toendthestrife,Anddying,seekreleasefrompain。
Andyet,thoughtwerethebestforme。
AnonthethoughtasideIfling,Andtothepresentfondlycling,Anddreadthetimethatistobe。“
WhenDonLorenzohadfinishedrecitinghisgloss,DonQuixotestoodup,andinaloudvoice,almostashout,exclaimedashegraspedDonLorenzo'srighthandinhis,“Bythehighestheavens,nobleyouth,butyouarethebestpoetonearth,anddeservetobecrownedwithlaurel,notbyCyprusorbyGaeta-asacertainpoet,Godforgivehim,said-butbytheAcademiesofAthens,iftheystillflourished,andbythosethatflourishnow,Paris,Bologna,Salamanca。Heavengrantthatthejudgeswhorobyouofthefirstprize-thatPhoebusmaypiercethemwithhisarrows,andtheMusesnevercrossthethresholdsoftheirdoors。Repeatmesomeofyourlong-measureverses,senor,ifyouwillbesogood,forIwantthoroughlytofeelthepulseofyourraregenius。“
IsthereanyneedtosaythatDonLorenzoenjoyedhearinghimselfpraisedbyDonQuixote,albeithelookeduponhimasamadman?powerofflattery,howfar-reachingartthou,andhowwidearetheboundsofthypleasantjurisdiction!DonLorenzogaveaproofofit,forhecompliedwithDonQuixote'srequestandentreaty,andrepeatedtohimthissonnetonthefableorstoryofPyramusandThisbe。
SONNET
Thelovelymaid,shepiercesnowthewall;
Heart-piercedbyheryoungPyramusdothlie;
AndLovespreadswingfromCyprusisletofly,Achinktoviewsowondrousgreatandsmall。
Theresilencespeaketh,fornovoiceatallCanpasssostraitastrait;butlovewillplyWheretoallotherpower'twerevaintotry;
Forlovewillfindawaywhate'erbefall。
Impatientofdelay,withrecklesspaceTherashmaidwinsthefatalspotwheresheSinksnotinlover'sarmsbutdeath'sembrace。
Sorunsthestrangetale,howtheloverstwainOnesword,onesepulchre,onememory,Slays,andentombs,andbringstolifeagain。
“BlessedbeGod,“saidDonQuixotewhenhehadheardDonLorenzo'ssonnet,“thatamongthehoststhereareofirritablepoetsIhavefoundoneconsummateone,which,senor,theartofthissonnetprovestomethatyouare!”
ForfourdayswasDonQuixotemostsumptuouslyentertainedinDonDiego'shouse,attheendofwhichtimeheaskedhispermissiontodepart,tellinghimhethankedhimforthekindnessandhospitalityhehadreceivedinhishouse,butthat,asitdidnotbecomeknights-erranttogivethemselvesupforlongtoidlenessandluxury,hewasanxioustofulfillthedutiesofhiscallinginseekingadventures,ofwhichhewasinformedtherewasanabundanceinthatneighbourhood,wherehehopedtoemployhistimeuntilthedaycameroundforthejoustsatSaragossa,forthatwashisproperdestination;andthat,firstofall,hemeanttoenterthecaveofMontesinos,ofwhichsomanymarvellousthingswerereportedallthroughthecountry,andatthesametimetoinvestigateandexploretheoriginandtruesourceofthesevenlakescommonlycalledthelakesofRuidera。
DonDiegoandhissoncommendedhislaudableresolution,andbadehimfurnishhimselfwithallhewantedfromtheirhouseandbelongings,astheywouldmostgladlybeofservicetohim;which,indeed,hispersonalworthandhishonourableprofessionmadeincumbentuponthem。
Thedayofhisdeparturecameatlength,aswelcometoDonQuixoteasitwassadandsorrowfultoSanchoPanza,whowasverywellsatisfiedwiththeabundanceofDonDiego'shouse,andobjectedtoreturntothestarvationofthewoodsandwildsandtheshort-commonsofhisill-stockedalforjas;these,however,hefilledandpackedwithwhatheconsideredneedful。Ontakingleave,DonQuixotesaidtoDonLorenzo,“IknownotwhetherIhavetoldyoualready,butifIhaveItellyouoncemore,thatifyouwishtospareyourselffatigueandtoilinreachingtheinaccessiblesummitofthetempleoffame,youhavenothingtodobuttoturnasideoutofthesomewhatnarrowpathofpoetryandtakethestillnarroweroneofknight-errantry,wideenough,however,tomakeyouanemperorinthetwinklingofaneye。“
InthisspeechDonQuixotewounduptheevidenceofhismadness,butstillbetterinwhatheaddedwhenhesaid,“Godknows,IwouldgladlytakeDonLorenzowithmetoteachhimhowtosparethehumble,andtrampletheproudunderfoot,virtuesthatarepartandparceloftheprofessionIbelongto;butsincehistenderagedoesnotallowofit,norhispraiseworthypursuitspermitit,Iwillsimplycontentmyselfwithimpressingituponyourworshipthatyouwillbecomefamousasapoetifyouareguidedbytheopinionofothersratherthanbyyourown;becausenofathersormotherseverthinktheirownchildrenill-favoured,andthissortofdeceptionprevailsstillmorestronglyinthecaseofthechildrenofthebrain。“
BothfatherandsonwereamazedafreshatthestrangemedleyDonQuixotetalked,atonemomentsense,atanothernonsense,andatthepertinacityandpersistencehedisplayedingoingthroughthickandthininquestofhisunluckyadventures,whichhemadetheendandaimofhisdesires。Therewasarenewalofoffersofserviceandcivilities,andthen,withthegraciouspermissionoftheladyofthecastle,theytooktheirdeparture,DonQuixoteonRocinante,andSanchoonDapple。