their seats, veiled down to the eyes, and even to the bosom, with demonstrations of excessive grief. They being seated, Don Quixote presented himself in the lists; and in a little time appeared the great lacquey Tosilos, upon a mighty steed that shook the very ground, accompanied with a number of trumpets, his vizor being down, and his whole body stiffened with strong and shining armour; his horse seemed to be of the Friezland breed, broad-built, and of a flea-bitten colour, with a stone of wool hanging to every foot. Thus approached the valiant combatant, well instructed by the duke how to engage the valorous Don Quixote de la Mancha, and particularly cautioned against taking away the life of his knightly opponent; for he was warned to avoid the first encounter as he would shun his own death, which must have been certain, had they met full shock in the midst of their career. This champion, crossing the field, and riding up to the place where the duennas were seated, began very earnestly to contemplate the person who claimed him as her husband; while the master of the field, calling to Don Quixote, who had likewise entered the lists, and kept close to Tosilos, asked the duennas if they consented to depend upon Don Quixote de la Mancha for the redress of their grievances; they replied in the affirmative, declaring at the same time, that whatever he should do in the affair they would hold as well done, firm, and sufficient. By this time the duke and duchess had placed themselves in a gallery that overlooked the barriers, which were crowded with an infinite number of people, who came to see the dreadful and never-beheld encounter; but, before they engaged, it was stipulated, that if Don Quixote should overcome his antagonist, he, the said antagonist, should marry the daughter of Donna Rodriguez; but should victory declare for the defendant, he should be released from the promise they pretended he had made, without giving any other satisfaction.

The master of the ceremonies having divided the sun, and stationed each combatant in his proper post, the drums began to thunder, the sound of trumpets filled the air, the earth trembled beneath their feet, and the hearts of the gazing multitude throbbed with suspense and expectation, some hoping, and others fearing, the good or bad success of the battle. Fi

nally, Don Quixote, recommending himself with all his heart to our Lord God, and to the lady Dulcinea del Toboso, waited with impatience for the precise signal of engaging; while our lacquey, engrossed by far other sentiments, thought of nothing but what we will now explain. While he stood gazing at his female enemy, she appeared in his eyes the most beau tiful creature he had ever seen in the whole course of his life, and the little blind urchin, vulgarly known by the name of Cupid, was unwilling to lose this opportunity to triumph over a lacqueyan soul, and register this subject in the list of his achievements; he, therefore, approached him fairly and softly, and, unperceiv ed, let fly an arrow two yards long, which, en tering his left side, transfixed his heart; nor was it difficult to perform this exploit ; for love is invincible, and makes his entrance and exit wheresoever he chooses to pass, without being called to account by any person upon earth-I say, when they gave the signal for battle, our lacquey's soul was transported by the beauty of her to whom by this time he had surrendered his liberty; and, therefore, he was not so much affected by the sound of the trumpet as his antagonist Don Quixote, whose ears it no sooner saluted, than he sprang forward to assault his adversary with all the mettle that Rozinante could exert; and his good 'squire Sancho seeing him begin his career, exclaimed with an audible voice, "God be thy guide, thou cream and flower of knights-errant! God grant thee the victory, seeing thy cause is the best."

Although Tosilos saw Don Quixote advancing against him, he did not budge one step from his station, but called aloud to the field-master, to whom, when he went up to see what he wanted, he thus addressed himself: "Tell me, signor, is not this combat appointed to determine whether I shall or shall not marry that lady?" To this question the other having replied in the affirmative, “Well then (resumed the lacquey), I have a tender conscience, that would be grievously burdened should I proceed in this quarrel; and, therefore, I own myself vanquished, and will forthwith take the lady to wife." The field-master was surprised at this declaration of Tosilos, and, being in the secret of the plan, knew not what answer to make; while Don Quixote, perceiving his enemy did not come on to the assault, checked Ro

zinante in the middle of his career. The duke, being ignorant of the cause that retarded the battle, was by the field-master informed of what Tosilos had said, at which he was extremely surprised and incensed; whereas Tosilos, in the meantime, rode up towards the place where Donna Rodriguez was seated, and pronounced with a loud voice," Madam, as I am willing to marry your daughter, there is no occasion to seek that by disputes and contention which I may obtain peaceably without the danger of death." The valiant Don Quixote hearing this address, "Since that is the case (said he), I am released and acquitted of my promise: let them marry a God's name, and, as our Lord bestows the bride, may St Peter bless the nuptials."

The duke descending into the court-yard of the castle, and advancing to Tosilos, "Knight (said he), is it true that you own yourself vanquished: and that, instigated by your timorous conscience, you consent to marry this damsel?" When he answered, "Yes, my lord."-" He is very much in the right (cried Sancho): give always to the cat what was kept for the rat; and let it still be thy view all mischief to eschew." As for Tosilos, he began to unlace his helmet, and earnestly begged that somebody would come to his assistance, for his breath was almost gone, and he could not bear to be confined so long in such a narrow lodging. People accordingly ran to his relief; and his head being uncased, Donna Rodriguez discovered the individual countenance of our lacquey, which the daughter no sooner beheld, than she cried aloud, "A cheat! a cheat! my lord duke has palmed his lacquey upon us, in lieu of my lawful husband: I demand justice of God and the king for this malicious, not to call it knavish, contrivance."

"Ladies (said Don Quixote), give yourselves no concern; there is neither malice nor knavery in the case; or, if there is, it cannot be occasioned by the duke, but by those wicked enchanters, who persecute me without ceasing; envious of the glory I should have acquired in this achievement, they have metamorphosed your husband's face into the aspect of this man, who, you say, is the duke's lacquey. Take my advice, therefore, maugre the malice of mine enemies, bestow your hand upon him; for without all doubt he is the very person whom you desire to obtain as a husband."

The duke, overhearing this admonition, had well nigh vented all his indignation in laughter, saying," The adventures that happen to Signor Don Quixote are so extraordinary, that I am apt to believe this is not really my lacquey; but let us make use of this expedient and stratagem: we will, if it be agreeable, delay the marriage a fortnight, and confine this person, of whom we are doubtful, and in that time, perhaps, he will retrieve his former figure; for

surely the rancour of those wicked er chanters who hate Don Quixote cannot last so long; especially as such delusions and transformations avail them so little."

"O my lord! (cried Sancho), those banditti have been long accustomed to chop, change, and transmogrophy every thing that belongs to my master some time ago he vanquished an errant called the Knight of the Mirrors, and in a twinkling they transformed him into the figure of the bachelor Sampson Carrasco, a townsman and great friend of ours; as for my lady Dulcinea del Toboso, they have changed her into a homely country wench; and, therefore, I take it for granted that this man will die and live a lacquey all the days of his life."

Here the daughter of Donna Rodriguez interposing," Be who he will (said she), I am obliged to him for asking me in marriage: and I would rather be the lawful wife of a lacquey, than the deluded mistress of a gentleman; although he who deluded me has no pretensions to that title." In fine, all these incidents and explanations ended in the resolution to confine Tosilos until they should see the issue of his transformation; while, with unusual acclamation, the victory was adjudged to Don Quixote; though the greatest part of the spectators seemed melancholy and disappointed, because they had not seen two such hopeful combatants hew one another in pieces, in the same manner as the boys are out of humour when the execution is prevented by the malefactor's being pardoned, either by the party or the king.

The crowd dispersed, the duke and Don Quixote returned to the castle, Tosilos was sent to prison; Donna Rodriguez and her daughter rejoiced exceedingly when they saw that, one way or another, this affair would end in marriage; and the lover consoled himself with the same prospect.

CHAP. V.

Giving an account of the manner in which Don Quixote took leave of the duke; and of what passed between him and the gay and witty Altisidora, one of the Duchess's damsels.

By this time Don Quixote thought he would do well to quit that idle way of life which he led in the castle; for he imagined himself much to blame in living thus buried and inactive among those infinite dainties and entertainments with which he, as a knight-errant, was indulged by that noble pair; and he concluded that he would be obliged to give a severe account to Heaven of this idleness and sequestration. He, therefore, one day begged leave of the duke and duchess to depart, and they granted his request with marks of being extremely grieved at his intention. The duchess deliver

ed to Sancho Panza his wife's letter, and the good 'squire wept bitterly when he understood the contents, saying, "Who could have thought such mighty hopes as were engendered in the breast of my wife Teresa Panza, by the news of my government, would vanish, in my returning again to the woful adventures of my master Don Quixote de la Mancha? Nevertheless, I am pleased to find that my Teresa behaved like herself in sending the acorns to the duchess; for had she failed in that particular, I should have been sorely vexed, and she would have shewn herself ungrateful: what comforts my poor heart is, that they cannot call this present a bribe; for I was actually in possession of the government before the acorns were sent : and it is but reasonable, that folks who receive any sort of benefit should shew their gratitude, even though in trifles. In effect, naked I took possession of the government, and naked I resigned my office; therefore, I may say with a safe conscience, which is no small boast, I naked was born and naked remain; and if I lose nothing, as little I gain."

This conference Sancho held with his own bosom on the day of their departure; as for Don Quixote, having taken leave of their graces over-night, he in the morning presented himself armed in the court-yard of the castle, where he furnished a spectacle to all the people of the family, not even excepting the duke and duchess, who viewed him from the gallery. Sancho was mounted upon Dapple, extremely well pleased with the contents of his bags, wallet, or store; for the duke's steward, who acted the part of the Countess Trifaldi, had given him a small purse of two hundred crowns, to answer the emergencies of the road; but of this supply Don Quixote was ignorant. While every individual, as we have said, stood gazing at the knight, all of a sudden, from among the other duennas and damsels of the duchess, the gay and witty Altisidora, raising her voice, pronounced what follows, in a lamentable tone:

Ah! hear my plaint, unlucky knight,
Pull in thy reins, and do me right;
And prithee spare, at my request,
The flanks of that poor batter'd beast.
Consider she whose heart's at stake,
False man! is not a scaly snake ;
But a young lambkin, meek and true,
Just wean'd from teat of mother ewe.
Say, monster, why undo a maid
More beautiful than ever stray'd
With Cynthia, huntress of the wood,
Or Venus, native of the flood?
But if, Eneas-like, thou meanʼst to fly,
The death of Barabbas may Quixote die.

Thou, robber! in thy claws hast got The heart and bowels, and what not,

Of a weak virgin, Heaven befriend her!
Mild, humble, timorous, and tender.
Three linen night-caps hast thou stole,
And silken garters strong and whole,
That to these legs did appertain,
These legs, as marble smooth and clean.
Thou carry'st off two thousand sighs,
Which, kindled by thy beaming eyes,
Would, in a twinkling, quite destroy
Two thousand cities great as Troy.
But if, Eneas-like, thou meanʼst to fly,
The death of Barabbas may Quixote die.

May Sancho's buttocks and his heart
Ne'er feel the ignominious smart
Prescribed, when he is pleased and ready
To disenchant thy fav'rite lady.
Since thine is the offence and blame,
Endure the punishment and shame,
Which in my country, once a-year,
The righteous for the wicked bear.
Be thy adventures (small or great)
Inglorious and unfortunate;

Like dreams may all thy pleasures fade,
Thy constancy oblivion shade.

And if, Eneas-like, thou mean'st to fly,
The death of Barabbas may Quixote die.

May'st thou be deem'd a perjured devil,
Ev'n from Marchena unto Ševille;
From Loja to Granada hated,
From London Tower to England baited.
At draughts should'st thou attempt to play,
Or waste at ombre all the day,
May no crown'd monarch or spadille
Attend the efforts of thy skill:
When angry corn disturbs thy toe,
May blood at every paring flow;
And of each tooth the barbers draw,
The stump still fester in thy jaw :
Nay, since Eneas-like, thou mean'st to fly,
The death of Barabbas may Quixote die !

While the afflicted Altisidora complained in these strains, Don Quixote surveyed her attentively, and, without answering a word to her lamentations, turned to Sancho, saying, "By the age of thine ancestors, my dear Sancho, I conjure thee to tell me the truth; say, hast thou actually got the three caps and the garters which this enamoured damsel mentions?" To this question the 'squire replied, "The three caps I have; but as to the garters, I know nothing of the matter."

The duchess was surprised at the freedom of Altisidora's behaviour; for, although she knew her to be forward, merry, and frank, she did not think the girl possessed of assurance enough to attempt a scheme of this nature; and her admiration was the greater, as she had not been previously apprised of the intended joke. The duke, however, in order to reinforce the jest,

broken."-" If you please (replied the knight), I should be glad to see them: they must certainly be good images which you so carefully convey." "Good! (cried the other): ay, that the price of them will declare: I can assure you there is not one of them that does not cost above fifty ducats; and that your worship may be convinced of the truth of what I say, stay a moment, and you shall see it with your own eyes."

So saying, he left his dinner, and rising up, uncovered the first piece, which represented St George on horseback, with his lance thrust into the throat of a serpent coiled at his feet, exhibiting all the fierceness with which that animal is usually painted; and the whole group look ed, as the saying is, like a flame of gold.

Don Quixote immediately recognizing the subject, This knight (said he), was one of the best errants that ever signalized themselves in divine warfare: his name was St George, and he was, moreover, a protector of damsels. Let us see the next," which, when displayed, appeared to be the image of St Martin on horseback, dividing his cloak with the beggar. Don Quixote no sooner beheld it, than he said to Sancho," This knight was also one of the Christian adventurers, and, I believe, more liberal than valiant, as thou mayest perceive by this circumstance of his dividing his cloak and giving one half to the beggar; and, doubtless, this incident must have happened in the winter season, otherwise the saint was so charitable he would have given the whole."- "Nay, that surely was not the case (replied the 'squire): but he held fast by the old proverb, which says, The man in wisdom must be old, who knows in giving where to hold."

Don Quixote smiled at this remark, and desired the man to lift the third cover, under which appeared the figure of the patron of Spain on horseback, with his bloody sword, trampling down and bruising the heads of the Moors. Don Quixote, seeing this representation, exclaimed, "Ah! this is a knight, and chief in the squadrons of Christ; his name is Don San Diego Mata Moros, and he was one of the most valiant saints and knights which earth ever produced, or heaven now contains." Then they unveiled the fourth, which exhibited St Paul falling from his horse, with all the circumstances usually set forth in the picture of his conversion, so lively represented, that one would have almost thought Christ was speaking, and Paul answering the voice.

"This (said Don Quixote), was the most bitter enemy the church of God ever had, while our Lord and Saviour was on earth, and afterwards the greatest defender it will ever have:

a knight-errant in his life, and a perfect saint in his death; an unwearied labourer in the vineyard of our Lord, a teacher of the gentiles, schooled by Heaven, and whose professor and master was Jesus Christ himself.”

There being no other images to see, Don Quixote desired the man to cover up those he had examined; and addressing himself to the bearers," Brothers (said he), I look upon it as a good omen to have met with these images; for these saints and knights were of my profes sion, which is the exercise of arms; with this difference, however, they were saints, and fought in a divine manner; and I, who am a sinner, fight in the manner of men. They conquered heaven by force of their arms, for the kingdom of heaven suffers violence; whereas I know not hitherto what I have conquered by the toils and troubles I have undergone; but if my Dulcinea del Toboso should be delivered from those she now sustains, my fortune will be bettered, my judgment repaired, and, perhaps, my steps may be directed through a better path than that which I at present follow.'

This declaration was closed with an exclamation of Sancho, who cried aloud, "The Lord give ear, I pray; and sin be deaf for aye." The men were equally astonished at the knight's appearance and discourse, one half of which they did not understand; nevertheless, they made an end of their meal, shouldered their images, and, taking leave of Don Quixote, pursued their journey. Sancho was, on this occasion, as much astonished at the learning of his master, as if he had never known him before that day; and imagined there was not a history or event in the whole world that was not deciphered on his nail, or nailed to his memory.

Truly, master of mine (said he), if what has happened to us to-day may be called an adventure, it is the most sweet and delicious of all that have yet befallen us in the whole course of our peregrinations: from this we have escaped with whole skins and fearless hearts; we have neither unsheathed our swords, battered the earth with our poor carcasses, nor are we left in a starving condition; blessed be God, who hath spared me to see this good luck with my own eyes!"" Thou sayest well, Sancho (replied the knight); but thou must take notice, that all times are not the same, nor equally fortunate; and those incidents which the vulgar call omens, though not founded on any natural reason, have, even by persons of sagacity, been held and deemed as fair and fortunate. One of these superstitious omen-mongers rises in the morning, goes abroad, chances to meet a friar belonging to the beatified St Francis ; and, as