and the motives which have induced you to arm at every turn, in order to take vengeance on your enemies and having once and again revolved your affair in my mind, I find that, according to the laws of duel, you are in the wrong to suppose yourselves affronted: for no individual can affront a whole community, unless they are accused of treason by the lump; because the person guilty of the said treason is not known, consequently cannot be challenged by himself. Of this practice we have an instance in Don Diego Ordonnez de Lara, who challenged the whole town of Zamorano, because he did not know that Velido Dolfos alone was the traitor who had slain his king; he therefore defied the whole body of inhabitants, and to the whole body of them did the answer and revenge belong: though indeed Signor Don Diego bordered upon extravagance, and exceeded the bounds of defiance; for he had not sufficient reason to challenge the dead, the water, and the bread, or those who were yet unborn, as well as other minute matters therein set forth but let that pass, When choler once is born, the tongue all curb doth scorn-I mean a bridle to restrain it. This being the case then, that one single person cannot affront an entire kingdom, province, city, society, or corporation, it plainly appears, that you have no just cause to come forth, in order to take vengeance for that which was not really an affront; for it would be a good joke indeed, if the inhabitants of a town called Clockwell should take it in their heads, at every turn, to slay every person that might ask, What is't a clock? Or if the cheesemongers, fruiterers, whalebone-sellers, soap-boilers, and those of other names and appellations that are in the mouth of every body, and hackneyed among the vulgar; I say it would surely be a good joke, if all those people, who are distinguished by their different callings, should be ashamed and incensed at such simple provocations, and be always making sackbuts of their swords in every trifling quarrel: no, no; God neither likes, nor will he suffer such unjustifiable revenge. Prudent men, and well-ordered commonwealths, ought to take up arms, unsheathe their swords, and risk their persons, lives, and fortunes for four causes only. Firstly, to defend the Catholic faith; secondly, in self-defence, which is justified by the laws of God and nature; thirdly, in behalf of one's honour, family, and fortune; and, fourthly, in the service of his majesty, when he is engaged in a just war and if we should add a fifth cause (which indeed ought to be ranked as the se

cond), it is the defence of one's country. To these principal causes may be annexed some others, both just and reasonable, which may oblige us to have recourse to arms; but to take them up for childish trifles, and things that are rather subjects of laughter and diversion than of serious revenge, seems to denote a total defect of reason and discretion; especially as unjust vengeance (and surely no vengeance can be just) is diametrically opposite to that holy law we profess, by which we are enjoined to do good to our enemies, and love those by whom we are abhorred,-a command which, though seemingly difficult, is not really hard to be observed, except by those who have less of God than of this world, and more of the flesh than of the spirit: for Jesus Christ, the true God and true man, who never lied, who neither was nor is capable of falsehood, as being our eternal lawgiver, tells us, that his yoke is easy and his burden is light: therefore, he would not impose a command which we could not possibly fulfil; and consequently, good gentlemen, you are obliged, by laws divine and human, to be appeased."

At this period Sancho said within himself, "The devil run away with me, if this master of mine is not a downright theologister! at least, if he is not, no two eggs were ever more alike." Don Quixote having taken breath a little, and finding the audience still attentive, was inclined to prosecute his harangue, and would certainly have pursued the subject, had not he been prevented by the archness of Sancho, who, during his master's pause, took it in hand, saying, "My master, Don Quixote de la Mancha, who, at one time, went by the name of the Knight of the Rueful Countenance, but is at present called the Knight of the Lions, is a very learned gentleman, that understands Latin and Castilian like a perfect bachelor of arts. In all his sermons and exhortations he proceeds like a very able soldier, as having all the laws and ordinances of what you call duel at his fingers' end; therefore, you have no more to do but let yourselves be guided by his counsel; and if you go wrong, the blame shall lie upon my shoulders, especially, as he hath already told you, that it is mere madness to be angry without any cause but that of a man's braying. I remember, when I was a boy, I brayed whensoever and wheresoever I pleased, without let or molestation; ay, and so prettily and naturally, that I was always answered by all the asses of the common; yet, for all that, I did not cease to be the son of my parents, who were most worthy people; and though for this ta

"'Fore God (cried Sancho), your worship has taken me out of a huge uncertainty, and resolve ed the doubt in delicate terms. Body o' me! was the cause of my pain so mysterious, that there was a necessity for telling me I feel pain in those parts that were cudgelled? Had my shins ached there might have been some reason for guessing at the cause of their aching; but, surely there is no great witchcraft required to tell me that my back aches, because it was crossed with a quarter-staff. In good faith, sir master of mine, our neighbour's care hangs by a hair. Every day I see more and more how the land lies, and how little I have to expect from keeping your worship's company; for if you left me to be cudgelled at this time, we shall, upon a hundred different occasions, return to our late blankettings and other such toys; and though this misfortune has fallen upon my shoulders, the next may light upon my eyes. Abundantly better should I have done, but I am such a barbarian, that in all the days of my life I never did well; I say again, abundantly better should I have done, had I returned to my house, my wife, and my children, and maintained and brought them up with what Providence should please to bestow, rather than fag after your worship in this manner, through roadless roads and pathless paths, drinking bad liquor and eating worse food; then when I come to sleep, Brother 'squire, measure out seven feet of ground; and if you choose to be more at ease, take as much more, for the ladle is in your own hand, and lay yourself out to your heart's desire.' Would to God I could see the first man who meddled with knight-errantry burnt to a cinder; at least the first booby who chose to be 'squire to such wiseacres as all former knights-errant must have been. Of the present I say nothing; as your worship is one of the number I hold them in respect, because I am sensible, that in speeching and understanding, you know a point more than the devil himself."

"I would venture to lay a good wager, Sancho (said Don Quixote), that now while you are permitted to speak without the least hinderance, you feel no pain in any part of your body. Proceed, child, and out with every thing that comes into your head, or tarries at your tongue's end; for provided you are free from pain, I shall convert into pleasure that disgust which proceeds from your folly and impertinence; and if you are so much bent upon returning to your house, your wife, and your family, God forbid that I should oppose your resolution. You have some of my money in your hands; recollect how long it is since we set out on this my third sally; then reckon what you might and should have earned monthly, and be your own paymaster."-"When I worked for Thomas Carrasco, father of Bache lor Sampson, who is your worship's acquaint

ance (answered Sancho), I earned two ducats a month, besides my victuals: with your worship I know not what I can earn, though well I know, that the 'squire of a knight-errant has a much more troublesome office than that of a farmer's servant; for, in fact, we who serve husbandmen, let us work never so hard through the day, and happen what will, have a hot supper out of the pot at night, and lie in a good bed, which I have never enjoyed since I have been in your worship's service, except for that short space of time that we stayed in the house of Don Diego de Miranda; and bating the good cheer I found among the scum of Camacho's kettle, and my eating, drinking, and sleeping at the habitation of Basilius, all the rest of the time I have slept on the hard ground, under the cope of heaven, exposed to what you call the inclemencies of the weather, living upon cheese-parings and crusts of bread, and drinking cold water, sometimes from the brooks and sometimes from the springs we met with on the public roads through which we travelled."

"Allowing (said Don Quixote), that all you have mentioned is true, how much more do you think I ought to give you than that which you received from Thomas Carrasco?""With the addition of two rials a month (replied Sancho), I shall think myself well paid, that is, with regard to my wages; but as to some satisfaction for your worship's word and promise of making me governor of an island, methinks it would be but fair and honest to add six rials more; and then, altogether, it will come to thirty." "Very well reckoned (answered the knight); now, according to the tale of wages you have mentioned, calculate fairly and exactly what I am indebted to you for the five and twenty days that are elapsed since our departure from our own village, and, as I said be fore, be your own paymaster."-" Body o' me! (cried Sancho), your worship is quite out in your reckoning; for in regard to the promise of the island, we must compute from the day in which your honour made the said promise to this blessed hour."-" How long then has that same promise been made?" said Don Quix ote. "If my memory does not fail me (answered the 'squire), it must be above twenty years, a few days over or under." Here the knight, slapping his forehead with his hand, began to laugh heartily, saying, Why, my stay in the Sierra Morena, with the whole course of our peregrinations, has scarce employed two months; and wilt thou say I have promised thee that island these twenty years? Now I perceive thy intention is to keep, in lieu of wages, all my money that is in thy hands; and if that be the case, and thou really lookest upon it with an eye of desire, I give thee the whole sum from this moment, and much good may it do thee; for, provided I find myself rid

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of such a wretched 'squire, I shall think myself happy, though poor and pennyless. But tell me, thou prevaricator of all the 'squirely ordinances of chivalry! where hast thou seen or read that any 'squire of a knight-errant ever presumed to bargain with his master touching a certain monthly salary for his service? Launch out, launch out, you ruffian, vagabond, and hobgoblin, for such you are; launch out, I say, into the mare magnum of chivalry; and if you find that any 'squire ever attempted to say, or even to think, what thou hast here uttered, I will give thee leave to nail the passage on my forehead, and pinch the sign of the four nipples on my face, by way of additional mortification. Turn immediately the reins or the halter of your ass, and return to your house, your wife, and your family; for one step farther thou shalt not travel with me. O bread ill bestowed! O promise misapplied! O wretch, that savourest more of the beast than of the man! At this juncture, when I was on the eve of raising thee to such a station as would have ennobled thee, even in spite of thy wife, thou seekest to leave me! Now thou art going away, when I had firmly and unalterably resolved to make thee lord of the best island in the universe! In a word, as thou thyself hast observed upon other occasions, 'An ass's mouth was not made for honey,' &c. An ass thou art, an ass wilt thou be, ay, and thou wilt die like an ass, when the course of thy life is finished; for I am convinced that thy days will reach their utmost period before thou shalt learn and know

what a beast thou art."

Sancho looked wofully at his master, while he poured forth these reproaches, from which the 'squire felt such compunction, that the tears started in his eyes, and he replied in a faint, whimpering tone, "My good master, I confess that, in order to be really and truly an ass, I want nothing but a tail, which if your worship will furnish me with, I shall think it well be stowed, and serve you as a beast of burden all the days of my life. Good your worship, forgive and look upon my green years with com. passion; and consider that I know very little; and if I speak a great deal of nonsense, it does not proceed from malice but infirmity; and those who sin and kiss the rod find favour in the sight of God."-" I should have been surprised, Sancho (said the knight), if thou hadst not seasoned thy discourse with some proverbial expression. Well, then, for the present, I forgive thee, in hope of thy amendment, and on condition that thou wilt not henceforward betray such a sordid and selfish disposition, but endeavour to enlarge thy heart, fortify and encourage thy mind, to wait the accomplishment of my promises, which, though it may not speedily happen, is nevertheless far from being impossible. Sancho said he would do his endeavour, and follow his advice, even though he should gather strength from feebleness.

Then they betook themselves to the covert of the grove, where the knight accommodated himself at the root of an elm, and the 'squire retreated to the foot of a beech; for these and other such trees never want feet, though they are always destitute of hands. Sancho passed the night in great trouble; for the cold air augmented the pain of his bruises; whereas, Don Quixote amused himself with his incessant meditations. Nevertheless, both master and man gave way to the operations of sleep, and at the approach of morn, prosecuted their way to the banks of the renowned Ebro, where they were involved in an adventure that will be recounted in the succeeding chapter

CHAP. XII.

Of the famous adventure of the Enchanted Bark.

By dint of travelling at a very deliberate pace, for the space of two days after they quitted the grove, Don Quixote and Sancho arrived at the river Ebro, the sight of which afforded infinite pleasure to the knight, who eagerly contemplated the amenity of its banks, the transparency of its water, the tranquillity of its course, and the abundance of its crystal stream, the joyous prospect of which renewed in his remembrance a thousand amorous thoughts that chiefly turned upon what he had seen in the cave of Montesinos; for, although Master Peter's ape had declared, that part of those circumstances was true, and part of them false, he inclined more to the belief that they were altogether real; while Sancho, on the contrary, looked upon the whole detail as one continued lie.

As they jogged on in this manner, their view was saluted by a small boat, without oars, or any other tackle, close to the river-side, and made fast to a tree that grew on the bank. Don Quixote looking around him, without per ceiving any living soul, alighted immediately from Rozinante, commanding Sancho to quit the back of Dapple, and tie both beasts securely to the trunk of a poplar or willow that grew upon the spot. When the 'squire desired to know the cause of this sudden descent and ligation, " You must know, Sancho (said the knight), that this vessel is here on purpose, without a possibility of any other design, to call and invite me to embark, that I may be conveyed to the succour of some knight, or other necessitous personage of high degree, who must certainly be involved in some dire disaster; for this is the very spirit of books of chivalry, and the practice of those enchanters concerning whom they treat, who, when any knight in dis tress cannot be delivered by their art, but solely by the prowess of another errant, though per haps at the distance of two or three thousand leagues or more, they snatch him up in a cloud,

or provide him with a vessel, in which he embarks, and in the twinkling of an eye he is transported either through the air, or by sea, to the place where his assistance is required; this bark, therefore, O Sancho! is brought hither for the like purpose, as sure as it is now day; and before the day be spent, take and secure Dapple and Rozinante together, and let us commit ourselves to the direction of God; for even the barefooted Carmelites shall not dissuade me from embarking."-" Since that is the case (answered Sancho), and your worship is resolved at every turn to plunge into these (I know not whether I should call them mad) vagaries, I have nothing to do but bow and obey; according to the proverb, If you obey the commands of your lord, you may sit as a guest at his board.' Nevertheless, in order to disburden my conscience, I must give your worship notice, that in my opinion this same bark has nothing to do with enchanted people, but belongs to some fishermen of this river, in which they catch the best shads in the world."

This remonstrance was made, while he tied the cattle, which he could not leave to the protection of enchanters, without being grieved to the very soul. But the knight exhorted him to banish his anxiety on account of the animals, which would be carefully maintained and protected by the same sage destined to transport their riders through roads and regions of such longitude." I do not understand what you mean by logichood (said the 'squire); for I never heard such a word before in the whole course of my life."-" By longitude, I mean length (answered the knight), but I do not at all wonder that thou shouldst not understand the word; for thou art not obliged to be acquainted with the Latin tongue, like some arrogant people who pretend to knowledge of which they are entirely ignorant."-" The beasts are now secured (said Sancho); what is next to be done?"-"What! (replied Don Quixote), but to cross ourselves and weigh anchor; I mean, to embark, and cut the rope by which the vessel is made fast."

So saying, he leaped on board, whither he was followed by Sancho, and the fastening being cut, the boat edged gently off from the bank. The 'squire seeing himself about two fathoms from the shore, began to tremble in the apprehension of perishing; but nothing gave him more pain than hearing Dapple raise his voice, and seeing Rozinante struggle for his freedom. "Now Dapple (said he to his master), brays for grief at our departure; and Rozinante strives

to get loose, that he may throw himself into the water and swim after us! Farewell, my dearly beloved friends, peace be with you, and may the madness that parts us be converted and undeceived, that we may be restored to your agreeable company."

Then he began to weep so bitterly, that the knight exclaimed in a tone of rage and vexation, "Of what art thou afraid, cowardly miscreant? wherefore dost thou weep, thou heart of butter? who persecutes, who molests thee, thou soul of a garret mouse? or what wants dost thou suffer, beggarly wretch, rolling as thou art in the very bowels of abundance? art thou, peradventure, travelling barefoot over the Riphean Mountains? No: seated like an archduke upon a convenient bench, thou art softly conveyed by the gentle current of this delicious river, from which, in a little time, we shall launch into the wide and extended ocean: but, indeed, we must have already entered the open sea, ay, and sailed at least seven or eight hundred leagues; and if I had here an astrolabe to take the elevation of the pole, I would tell thee exactly what way we have made; though either I have little skill, or we have already passed, or will pass in a very little time, the equinoctial line, that divides the globe into two equal parts."-" And how far shall we have gone when we come to that same line your worship mentions?" said Sancho. "A great way (replied the knight); for of three hundred and sixty dregees, comprehending the whole terraqueous globe, according to the computation of Ptolemy, who was the greatest cosmographer ever known, we shall have traversed one half when we reach the equinoctial line."- "Fore God! (cried Sancho), your worship has brought a set of rare witnesses to prove the truth of what you say, Copulation and Kiss-me-gaffer, with the addition of Tool-i'me, or some such name." Don Quixote laughed at Sancho's blunders, upon the computation of the cosmographer Ptolemy, adding, "You must know, Sancho, that one of the signs by which those who embark at Cadiz for the East Indies know they have passed the equinoctial, is the total destruction of vermin among the passengers and seamen; so that not one louse remains alive, or can be had in the whole ship, even though you should give its weight in gold; thou mayest therefore slip thy hand along thy thigh, Sancho, and if thou canst catch any thing alive, our doubt will be resolved; but if there is nothing to be found, we must certainly have passed the line."-" I can hardly believe it (answered the