If, haply, thou wilt not refuse Poetry disappearing, Liberality advanced from the side of Interest, and, after several movements, repeated these lines: My name is Liberality, Alike beneficent and wise, And sordid Avarice despise. But giving is the test of love. In this manner, all the figures of the two squadrons advanced and retired, every one performing his movements, and repeating his verses, some of which were elegant, and others foolish enough; but those we have inserted were all that Don Quixote could retain, although his memory was very tenacious: then mixing altogether in the dance, they winded and turned with great ease, grace, and agility. Cupid, in passing, shot arrows at the castle, while Interest battered it with round gilded earthen pots at length, after the dance had continued a good while, this last pulled out a large purse made of Roman cat-skin, to all appearance full of money, and throwing it at the castle, the boards seemed to be disjoined by the blow, and immediately fell asunder, leaving the damsel quite discovered and defenceless; then Interest, with the figures of his train advancing, and throwing a great gold chain about her neck, seemed bent upon taking and dragging her into captivity. This design being perceived by Cupid and his partisans, they made an effort to release her, and all their motions were performed by the sound of the tabors, to which they danced and capered in concert. Then the savages interposing, and effecting an accommodation, refitted and rejoined the boards of the castle with admirable despatch, the damsel enclosed herself anew; and thus the dance was finished to the infinite satisfaction of the spectators. Don Quixote asked one of the nymphs, what author had contrived and composed this entertainment; and being told it was the production of the parson, who had a rare noddle for such conceits," I'll lay a wager (said he), that this same bachelor or curate is more a friend of Camacho than of Basilius; and that he is better acquainted with satire than prayer; for he has very artfully interwoven in this masque the talents of Basilius and the wealth of his rival.’ Sancho Panza overhearing this observation, "My cock is the king (said he), and I hold fast by Camacho." "Then am I convinced (replied the knight), that Sancho is one of those low-born peasants, who cry long life to the conqueror."" I know not (resumed the 'squire), what sect I am of; but this I know perfectly well, that I shall never skim from the fleshpots of Basilius such a delicate scum as this that I have taken from the boilers of Camacho." With these words, he produced the kettle full of geese and pullets, and, seizing a bird, began to eat with great glee and satisfaction; saying, in defiance of the talents possessed by Basilius, "Thou art worth just as much as thou hast, and hast just as much as thou art worth. There are only two families in the world, as my grannam was wont to observe, the Have-somethings and the Have-nothings: though she always stuck to the former; and now-a-days, my good master, we are more apt to feel the pulse of poverty than of wisdom. An ass with golden trappings makes a better appearance than a horse with a pack-saddle. Therefore I say again, I hold fast by Camacho, the plentiful scum of whose pots contains geese, hares, and coneys, while that of Basilius, if it comes to hand, or even if it should only come to the feet, is no better than dish-washings." " "Sancho (cried Don Quixote), hast thou finished thy harangue?"-" It shall be finished (replied the 'squire), as I see your worship is displeased with it; though, if your disgust had not fallen in the way, I had cut out work enough for three days."-" Grant, Heaven (said the knight), that I may see thee dumb before I die." At the rate we follow (answered Panza), before your worship dies, my mouth will be crammed with clay, and then I may chance to be so dumb that I shall not speak another word till the end of the world, or at least till the day of judgment."-" Even should that be the case (replied Don Quixote), I say unto thee, Sancho, thy silence will never counterbalance what thou didst, dost, and wilt say, during the course of thy life: moreover, according to the nature of things, the day of my death will happen before thine; so that I have no hope of ever seeing thee silent, even while thou art drinking or sleeping, and that is the greatest favour I could expect.' "In good sooth, signor (said the 'squire), there is no trusting to Mrs Ghostly,* I mean death, who gobbles up the goslin as well as the goose; and, as I have heard our curate observe, tramples down the lofty turrets of the prince as well as the lowly cottage of the swain. That same lady, who is more powerful than coy, • In the original there is a play upon the words Descarnado, Cordero, and Carnero, which I have endeavoured to imitate, by substituting goose in the room of mutton, which is the literal meaning of the text. knows not what it is to be dainty and squeam ish, but eats of every thing, and crams her wallet with people of all nations, degrees, and conditions: she is none of your labourers that take their afternoon's nap, but mows at all hours, cutting down the dry stubble as well as the green grass; nor does she seem to chew, but rather swallows and devours every thing that falls in her way; for she is gnawed by a dog's hunger that is never satisfied; and though she has no belly, plainly shows herself dropsical, and so thirsty as to drink up the lives of all the people upon earth, just as one would swallow a draught of cool water."- "Enough, friend Sancho (cried the knight, interrupting him in this place); keep thyself well, now thou art in order, and beware of stumbling again; for really a good preacher could not speak more to the purpose than thou hast spoken upon death, in thy rustic manner of expression: I say unto thee, Sancho, if thy discretion was equal to thy natural parts, thou mightest ascend the pulpit, and go about teaching and preaching to admiration."-" He is a good preacher who is a good liver (answered Panza); and that is all the divinity I know."-" And that is sufficient (said the knight); yet I shall never understand or comprehend, as the fear of God is the beginning of wisdom, how thou, who art more afraid of a lizard than of thy Maker, should be so wise." "Signor (replied Sancho), I desire your worship would determine in your own affairs of chivalry, without taking the trouble to judge of other people's valour or fears: for my own part, I am as pretty a fearer of God as one would de sire to see in any neighbour's child: wherefore, I beseech your worship, let me discuss this same scum; for every thing else is idle chat, of which we shall be able to give a bad account in the other world." So saying, he renewed his attack upon his kettle with such keen appetite, as awakened that of his master, who would have certainly joined in the assault, had not he been prevented by that which we must now relate. CHAP. IV. clothes. Sancho seeing the bride, exclaimed, with marks of admiration, "I'faith! she looks more like one of your gay court-dames than a plain country-maid. Now, by the biggest beads of my rosary! instead of a tin brooch,* her breast is bedizened with rich coral, and her hodden-grey is turned into thirty-piled velvet; and, body o' me! the trimming is not of white linen, but of silk and satin: then handle me her hands, set off with what? jewels of jet? No! let me never thrive, if they an't decked with rings of gold! aye, and of massy gold, paved with pearls as white as a curd, every one of which is worth a Jew's eye. O the whoreson baggage! and such hair! if it is not false, I never saw any so long and so fair in my borndays. Do but mind how buxom, straight, and tall she is, and see whether she may not be compared to a moving palm-tree, loaded with clusters of dates; for nothing can be more like the gewgaws and toys that hang from her hair and neck. By my salvation! the damsel is well covered, and might pass through all the banks of Flanders." Don Quixote, though he smiled at the rustic praises of his 'squire, owned that, exclusive of his mistress Dulcinea del Toboso, she was the most beautiful female he had ever seen. Nevertheless, the fair Quiteria was paler than usual; and this change of complexion must have been owing to the bad night which brides always pass in adorning themselves for the approaching day of their nuptials. The company repaired to a theatre erected at one side of the meadow, and ornamented with carpets and boughs, where the ceremony was to be performed, and from whence they were to see the mask and other diversions; and they had just arrived at the place when their ears were saluted with a noise behind them, and a voice that pronounced," Stay a little, hasty and inconsiderate people!" In consequence of this address they turned about, and perceived it was uttered by a man clothed in a loose black coat, interspersed with crimson flames, crowned, as they soon perceived, with a chaplet of funereal cypress, and holding in his hand a truncheon of uncommon size. As he approached, he was Which continues to treat of Camacho's wedding, known to be the gallant Basilius; at sight of and other incidents. WHILE Don Quixote and Sancho were engaged in the conversation related in the preceding chapter, they heard a great noise and shouting, raised by a company mounted on mares, gallopping in full cry, to meet the young couple, who came surrounded by a thousand kinds of instruments, and accompanied by the curate, the relations, and all the creditable people of the neighbouring villages, in their holiday whom they were surprised, and waited in suspense to see the issue of his exclamation, dreading some inischance from such an unseasonable visit. At length, wearied and breathless, he came up to the bride and bridegroom, and thrusting in the ground his staff that was pointed with steel, he fixed his eyes upon Quiteria, and with a pale aspect, and hoarse quavering "Thou well voice, pronounced these words: knowest, ungrateful Quiteria, that, according to the holy faith we profess, thou canst not es The Patina was a small consecrated plate, which the Spanish women, especially those of an inferior rank wore upon their breasts. VOL. III. 2 N pouse another husband while I am alive; nor art thou ignorant, that while I waited until time and diligence should meliorate my fortune, I never sought to deviate from that decorum which thy honour required I should preserve; yet thou, disburdening thyself of all the obligations which thou owest to my honest passion, hast made another person master of what is justly mine; a man whose wealth is not only subservient to his good fortune, but even renders him superlatively happy; which happiness, that he may enjoy to the full (not that I think he deserves it, but because it is the will of Heaven to bestow it), I will with my own hands remove the impossibility or inconvenience that may obstruct it, by taking myself out of the way. Long live, long live Camacho the Rich, with Quiteria the ungrateful, to enjoy many quiet and happy years; and death be the portion of the poor Basilius, whose poverty clipped the wings of his fortune, and laid him in an untimely grave." So saying, he laid hold of the staff which he had stuck in the earth, and drew from it a middling tuck, which was concealed in it as in a scab bard; then fixing that which may be called the hilt on the ground, he threw himself with great activity and resolution upon the point, which in an instant came' out bloody at his shoulder, leaving the unhappy youth weltering in gore, and stretched upon the ground, transfixed with his own weapon. His friends immediately ran to his assistance, pierced with affliction at his misery and lamentable fate; and Don Quixote, dismounting, flew to his relief, held him in his arms, and found that he had not as yet expired. They were inclined to withdraw the tuck; but the curate, who was present, gave his opinion that it should not be withdrawn before he had confessed himself, because his death would be the immediate consequence of pulling out the weapon. Meanwhile, Basilius recover ing a little, said, in a faint and piteous tone, "Ah, cruel Quiteria! wouldst thou, in this last and fatal agony, bestow upon me thy hand in marriage, I should deem my rashness excul pated, seeing by that I should acquire the happiness of calling thee my own." The curate hearing this address, exhorted him to employ his attention upon the health of his soul, rather than upon such carnal pleasures, and earnestly pray to God to pardon his sins, and, in particu lar, this last desperate determination. To this remonstrance Basilius replied, that he would by no means confess, until Quiteria should first grant him her hand, a favour which would set his heart at rest, and give him spirits to undergo his confession. Don Quixote hearing the petition of the wounded man, declared, in an audible voice, that Basilius requested nothing but what was just and reasonable, and, besides, very practicable; and that Signor Camacho's honour would suffer no more in wedding Signora Quiteria as the widow of Basilius, than in receiving her from her father's own hands; for here nothing was required but the monosyllable of assent, which could have no other effect than the trouble of pronouncing it, as the bridal bed must also be the tomb of such a marriage. Camacho heard the whole, which kept him in such confusion and suspense, that ke knew not what to say or do: but the friends of Basilius were so clamorous in soliciting him to consent to Quiteria's giving her hand in marriage to the hapless youth, whose soul would otherwise pe rish in despair, that he was persuaded, and, as it were, compelled to say, that if his bride would grant that favour, he should be satisfied, as it would only for a moment delay the accomplishment of his desires. Immediately they sur rounded Quiteria, whom, with tears, entreaties, and other pathetic remonstrances, they pressed to give her hand to poor Basilius; but she, more obdurate than marble, and more inflexible than a statue, neither could, would, nor desired to answer one word; nor would she have made the least reply, had not the curate desired her to come to a speedy determination; for the soul of Basilius being already between his teeth, would not afford long time for hesitation. Then the beautiful Quiteria, without speak ing one syllable, but seemingly disordered, sad, and sorrowful, advanced to the place where Basilius lay, with his eyes already fixed, breathing short and thick, murmuring the name of Qui teria, and, to all appearance, dying rather like a heathen than a Christian. The bride at length approaching, and kneeling before him, desired by signs he would hold out his hand: then Ba silius unfixing his eyes, and stedfastly gazing upon her, "O Quiteria! (said he), thou art become kind at a time when thy kindness must serve as a sword to finish my unfortunate life; seeing I have not strength enough left to obtain that glory which thou wouldst confer in calling me thine, or to suspend the grief that comes so fast to cover mine eyes with the dismal shades of death. What I request, O fatal star of my destiny! is, that thy consent to this exchange of vows may not be a mere compliment to deceive me anew; but that thou wilt confess and declare there is no restraint upon thy inclina tion, while thy hand is given and delivered to me as thy lawful husband, for it would be cruel to use deceit and dissimulation with one in such extremity, who has always behaved to thee with such sincerity and truth." Having pronounced these words, he fainted away, so that all the bye-standers thought his soul would forsake his body in that swoon: but when he retrieved the use of his faculties, Quiteria, all blushing with modesty, took hold of his right hand, saying, "No force upon earth would be sufficient to bias my will; and therefore, with all the freedom of inclination, I give thee my hand as thy lawful wife, and receive thine on the same terms, if thou bestowest it with the same good will, undisturbed and unconfounded by the calamity into which thou hast been hurried by thy own precipitate conduct." "I do (answered Basilius), without either disorder or confusion; but, on the contrary, with all the clearness of understanding with which Heaven hath thought proper to endow me, I give and deliver myself for thy true and faithful husband." "And I take thee for such (replied Quiteria,) whether thou mayest live many years, or now be hurried from mine arms to the grave.""Considering how desperately this spark is wounded (said Sancho Panza), methinks he talks woundily; make him lay aside his courtship, and mind his soul, which seems to be in his tongue rather than between his teeth." The hands of Basilius and Quiteria being joined, the tender-hearted curate, with tears in his eyes, pronounced the nuptial benediction, and fervently prayed that God would grant for giveness and repose to the soul of the bride groom; who no sooner perceived the ceremony was performed, than he nimbly sprung upon his legs with incredible activity, withdrew the tuck which was sheathed in his body, to the admira tion of the bye-standers; some of whom, being more simple than curious, began to cry aloud, "A miracle! a miracle!" But Basilius re plied, "No miracle! no miracle! but sheer industry! nothing but industry!" The curate, confounded and astonished, ran up to feel the wound with both his hands, and found that the blade, instead of passing through the body of Basilius, had run through an iron tube fitted to the part and full of blood, which, as they afterwards understood, was prepared so as to retain its fluidity: in a word, the curate and Camacho, with almost all the company, found themselves fairly outwitted. The bride, how ever, expressed no mortification at the deceit: on the contrary, hearing somebody observe that such a marriage, obtained by fraud, could not be valid, she said she confirmed it anew. From which circumstance every one concluded that the stratagem had been contrived and executed with her privity and consent. This supposition enraged Camacho and his adherents to such a degree, that they referred their revenge to the prowess of their hands, and, unsheathing a great many swords, assaulted Basilius, in whose favour almost an equal number were instantly produced. Don Quixote taking the lead on horseback, well armed with his lance and shield, made the whole company give ground; while Sancho, who had no delight or comfort in such exploits, retired to the jars from which he had extracted his agreeable scum, looking upon that place as a sacred sanctuary and respected retreat. The knight exclaimed, in an audible voice, "Forbear, gentlemen, forbear: it is unjust to revenge the grievances of love; for in this particular, love and war are the same: and, as in the last, it is lawful and customary to use feints and stratagems against the enemy; so likewise, in amorous contests and competitions, all sorts of tricks and contrivances are allowed in attaining the accomplishment of the lover's desire, provided they do not tend to the disparagement or dishonour of the beloved object. Quiteria was fated to Basilius, and Basilius to Quiteria, by the just and favourable determination of Heaven. Camacho is rich, and may purchase his pleasure when, where, and how his inclination shall require; whereas Basilius has but this one poor sheep, of which he ought not to be deprived by any person, how powerful soever he may be; for those whom God has joined, no man shall put asunder; and he who attempts it must first pass through the point of this lance." So saying, he brandished it with such strength and dexterity as filled the hearts of those who did not know him with fear and consternation; and the disdain of Quiteria made such a deep impression upon the imagination of Camacho, that he shook her from his heart in an instant: so that the persuasions of the curate, who was a prudent and well-meaning priest, pacified and quieted him and his partizans, who, in token of peace, sheathed their weapons, blaming the inconstancy of Quiteria more than the contrivance of Basilius; and Camacho himself observed, that if she loved Ba silius before marriage, the same love would have continued after it; and that he had more reason to thank Heaven for having lost, than he should have had for obtaining such a helpmate. Camacho and those of his train, being thus consoled and appeased, the friends of Basilius took no step to disturb their peace; and Cama cho the Rich, in order to shew how little he re sented or thought of the trick which had been played him, desired that the entertainments might proceed as if he were really to be mar ried: but Basilius, with his bride and followers, refusing to partake of them, set out in a body for the place of his habitation: for the poor, who are virtuous and discreet, will always find people to honour, attend, and support them, as well as the rich with all their parasites and companions. In consequence of their earnest entreaty, they were accompanied by Don Quix ote, whom they esteemed as a prodigy of valour and integrity; and nothing was cloudy but the soul of Sancho, when he found it impossible to enjoy the splendid banquets and diversions of Camacho, that lasted till night: he therefore, in a fretful and melancholy mood, followed his master, who joined the troop of Basilius; leav ing behind the flesh-pots of Egypt, although he still retained them in his fancy; and the halffinished scum of his kettle enhanced the glory and abundance of the benefit he had lost: so that, pensive, sullen, and sad, yet without hunger, or dismounting from Dapple, he silently trudged after the heels of Rozinante. CHAP. V. In which is recounted the vast adventure of the Cave of Montesinos, in the heart of La Mancha, which was happily achieved by the valiant Don Quixote. GREAT and manifold were the treats and particulars of respect paid to Don Quixote by the new-married couple, who thought themselves greatly obliged by the readiness he had shewn to defend their cause, and looked upon his discretion to be equal to his valour; indeed, they esteemed him as a perfect Cid in arms, and a Cicero in elocution. Honest Sancho regaled himself three days at their expense, during which it was known that the contrivance of the fictitious wound had not been communicated to Quiteria, but was hatched by the ingenuity of Basilius himself, in hope of meeting with that success which, as we have seen, he actually attained: true it is, he confessed he had imparted his design to some of his friends, that they might, in case of necessity, favour his intention, and facilitate the execution of his deceit. "Whatsoever hath virtue for its ultimate aim (said Don Quixote), neither can nor ought to be called deceit and surely no aim can be more excellent than the union of two lovers in the holy bands of marriage." He observed, that the greatest enemy of love is hunger and necessity; for love is altogether sprightly, joyous, and satisfied, especially when the object of desire is in possession of the lover, whose fierce and declared adversaries are want and inconvenience. He made these observations with a view to persuade Signor Basilius to quit the exercise of those talents he possessed, which, though they acquired reputation, would not earn a farthing of money, and to employ his attention in augmenting his estate by legal and industrious means, that never fail the prudent and the careful. The poor man of honour (if a poor man can deserve that title) possesses, in a beautiful wife, a jewel; and when that is taken away, he is deprived of his honour, which is murdered: a beautiful and chaste woman, whose husband is poor, deserves to be crowned with laurel and palms of triumph: for beauty alone attracts the inclinations of those who behold it; just as the royal eagle and soaring hawk stoop to the sa voury lure; but if that beauty is encumbered by poverty and want, it is likewise attacked by ravens, kites, and other birds of prey; and if she who possesses it firmly withstands all these assaults, she well deserves to be called the crown of her husband. "Take notice dearest Basilius (added the knight), it was the opinion of a certain sage, that there was but one good wife in the whole world; and he advised every husband to believe she had fallen to his share, and accordingly be satisfied with his lot. I myself am not married, nor hitherto have I entertained the least thought of changing my condition; nevertheless, I will venture to advise him who asks my advice in such a manner, that he may find a woman to his wish: in the first place, I would exhort him to pay more regard to reputation than to fortune; for a virtuous woman does not acquire a good name merely by being virtuous: she must likewise maintain the exte riors of deportment, for the honour of the sex suffers much more from levity and freedom of behaviour in public, than from any private misdeeds. If thou bringest a good woman to thy house, it will be an easy task to preserve and even improve her virtue; but shouldst thou choose a wife of a different character, it will cost thee abundance of pains to mend her; for it is not very practicable to pass from one extreme to another: I do not say it is altogether impossible, though I hold it for a matter of much difficulty." Sancho hearing these remarks, said to himself, "This master of mine, whenever I chance to utter any thing pithy or substantial, will say I might take a pulpit in hand, and travel through the world, teaching and preaching to admiration; now I will say for him, that when he begins to string sentences, and give advice, he might not only take one pulpit in hand, but even a couple on each finger, and stroll about the market-towns. Wit, whether wouldst thou? May the devil fetch him for a knight-errant ! he knows but every thing. I thought for certain he could be acquainted with nothing but what relates to his chivalries: but he pecks at every thing, and throws his spoonful in every man's dish." His master overheard him murmuring in this manner, and asking what he grumbled at, "I don't grumble (answered Sancho), I was only saying to myself, I wished I had heard those remarks of your worship before I married; in which case I might now, perhaps, remark in my turn, The loosened ox is well licked.""What, is Teresa such a bad wife?" said the knight. "Not very bad (answered the 'squire), but then she is not very good; at least not so good as I could wish."-"You are in the wrong, Sancho (said Don Quixote), to disparage your wife, who in effect is the mother of your children.' "As to that matter (replied Sancho), we are not at all in one another's debt; for she can disparage me fast enough, especially when she takes it into her head to be jealous, and then Satan himself could not endure her." In a word, they stayed three days with the new-married couple, during which they were treated and served like the king's own person; and here Don Quixote desired the nimblewristed licentiate to provide him with a guide to direct his steps to the cave of Montesinos, which he had a longing desire to explore, that he might investigate with his own eyes the truth of those wonderful stories that were re |