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if he had encountered a dragon in his way, runs back to his own house with fear and consternation. Another foresight by accident scatters the salt upon the table, by which fear and melancholy are scattered through his heart, as if nature was obliged to foretell future misfortunes by such trivial signs and tokens; whereas a prudent man and a good Christian will not so minutely scrutinize the purposes of Heaven. Scipio chancing to fall in landing upon the coast of Africa, and perceiving that his soldiers looked upon this accident as a bad omen, he embraced the soil with seeming eagerness, saying, Thou shalt not escape me, Afric; for I have thee safe within my arms.' Therefore, Sancho, my meeting with those images I consider as a most happy encounter."-"I am of the same opinion (answered the 'squire); but I wish your worship would be pleased to tell me for what reason the Spaniards, when they join battle, and invoke that same St Diego Mata Moros, cry St Jago, and Close, Spain! Is Spain cloven in such a manner as to want closing? or what is the meaning of that ceremony?""Sancho (replied the knight), thy simplicity is very great. You must know, that God has given this great Knight of the Red Cross as a patron and protector to Spain, especially in those dreadful battles fought against the Moors. The Spaniards, therefore, invoke and call upon him as their defender on all such occasions; nay, many times hath he been seen overthrowing, trampling, slaying, and destroying the squadrons of the children of Hagar;t and of this truth I could convince thee by many examples recorded in the authentic history of Spain."+

Sancho, changing the subject of conversation, "Signor (said he), I was astonished at the boldness of her grace's damsel Altisidora. I'faith! she must be sorely pricked and stabbed by him they call Cupid, who, they say, is a mischievous blind boy, and is able with those bleared eyes of his, or rather with no eyes at all, if once he takes aim, to pierce through and through with his arrows the smallest heart that ever was seen. I have also heard it observed, that, by the modesty and reserve of young women, those same amorous shafts are blunted and broken; but in Altisidora, they seem to be rather whetted than blunted." "Sancho (replied Don Quixote), you must know that love has no respect of persons; nor, in his progress, does he confine himself within

the bounds of reason: indeed he is of the same disposition with death; for he assaults the lofty palaces of kings, as well as the humble cottages of swains; when he once has taken full possession of the soul, his first exploit is to expel fear and modesty; and without these did Altisidora declare her passion, which engendered

not pity, but confusion, in my breast.""O monstrous and notorious cruelty! (cried Sancho), unheard-of ingratitude! I can say for myself, that the least kind word from her would have subdued and made me her bond-slave. Ah, the son of a whore! what an heart of marble, bowels of brass, and soul of plaster !—but I cannot, for the blood of me, conceive what the damsel could see in your worship to tame and bring her to such an humble pass: what finery, what good-humour, what gentility could she observe about your person? or what beauty could she spy in that face? for women are taken with these qualities either severally or conjunctly. Verily, verily, I have often stopped to survey your worship, from the sole of your foot to the last hair upon your skull! and I protest before God, I think you would be more apt to frighten than to captivate a fair lady; and as I have, moreover, heard it said, that beauty is the chief and principal article that inspires love, your worship being quite destitute of that commodity, I cannot imagine what the poor creature was in love with." "Take notice, Sancho (replied Don Quixote), there are two kinds of beauty, one of the mind, and another of the body; that of the mind displays itself in the understanding, in honourable and virtuous behaviour, in a liberality of disposition, and in good breeding: now all these qualifications may centre in an ugly man ; and when this kind of beauty, preferable to that of the body, is the object of admiration, it produces love that glows with equal impetuosity and advantage. For my own part, Sancho, I can easily see that I-am not beautiful; but I likewise know I am not deformed; and a gentleman who is not altogether monstrous, may inspire the most ardent love, provided he is in possession of those qualities of the mind which I have mentioned."

Thus discoursing together, they entered a wood, at a small distance from the highway; and, all of a sudden, without dreaming of any such let or impediment, Don Quixote found himself entangled among some nets of green thread, which were spread and stretched from

The original word is Mendoza, the name of a great family in Spain, one of whom was remarkably superstitious.

+ The Moors are said to be descended from Hagar.

Sancho must have been very simple indeed, to be satisfied with this explanation, which does not even hint at the main point of his question; namely, " Why do the Spanish soldiers, when they charge their enemy, cry, Close, Spain ?"-a phrase of encouragement by which the soldiers exhort one another to do their duty, and close with the foe.

VOL. III.

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tree to tree. As he could not conceive the meaning of this phenomenon, " I believe (said he to Sancho), that this of the nets must be one of the newest adventures that ever were imagined or contrived. Let me die if the enchanters by whom I am persecuted have not a mind to entangle me in them, and obstruct my journey, in revenge for my rigour and indifference towards Altisidora! But I shall give them to understand, that although these nets, instead of thread, were made of the hardest adamant, and stronger than that in which the jealous god of blacksmiths caught Mars and Venus together, I would break through them as easily as if they were of rushes and unspun cotton." So saying, he endeavoured to proceed and destroy this obstacle, when all at once, from a tuft of trees, came forth two most beautiful shepherdesses, at least they were clad like shepherdesses, though their jackets and petticoats were of fine brocade-I say, their petticoats were of the richest gold tabby; their hair hung loose upon their shoulders, and, in shining, might have vied with the rays of Apollo himself; their heads were adorned with garlands of green laurel interwoven with sprigs of red amaranth; and their age seemed to be neither under fifteen, nor turned of eighteen,―a sight that struck Sancho with admiration, the knight with surprise, and suspended the sun in the middle of his career. All the four for some time remained in silent wonder; and at length, the first who spoke was one of the two country-maidens, who, addressing herself to Don Quixote, "Forbear, sir knight (said she), and do not break our nets, which, I assure you, were not spread for your inconvenience, but merely for our own pastime: and because I know you will ask for what reason they are placed, and who we are, I will satisfy your curiosity in a few words:-At a village about two leagues from hence, which is inhabited by many people of fortune and fashion, it was agreed among a number of friends and relations, that they, their wives, sons, daughters, neighbours, friends, and kinsfolks, should come and enjoy the fine season in this spot, which is the most agreeable situation in all this country; and here form a new pastoral Arcadia, the girls being habited like shepherdesses, and the young men like swains. We have studied two eclogues; one of the famous poet Garcilaso, and another of the most excellent Camoens, in his own Portugese language; though they are not yet represented, for we arrived only yesterday. Among these trees we have pitched some fieldtents, upon the banks of a plentiful stream which fertilizes all these meadows; and last night we spread these nets from tree to tree, in order to deceive and catch the simple little birds, which, frightened by the noise we make, may fly into the snare: if you choose to be our guest, signor, you shall be treated liberally and

courteously, for, at present, neither melancholy nor disgust shall enter this place." ⚫ Here she left off speaking, and Don Quixote replied, "Assuredly, most beauteous nymph, Acteon himself could not be seized with more surprise and admiration, when he, all of a sudden, beheld Diana bathing, than that which now overwhelmed me at sight of such uncommon charms! I applaud the scheme of your entertainments and diversions; I thank you heartily for your courteous proffer, and if I can serve you in any shape, you may com mand me, with full assurance of being obeyed; for I have chosen this profession solely because it consists in being grateful and benevolent to all mankind, especially to persons of rank, such as your appearance declares you to be; and if these nets, which I suppose occupy but a small space, were extended over the whole circumfer ence of the globe, I would find new worlds through which I might pass, rather than by breaking the least mesh, run the risk of interrupting your diversion. That you may give some credit to this exaggeration, be pleased to take notice, that he who makes it is no other than Don Quixote de la Mancha, if peradventure such a name hath ever reached your ears."

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The young lady no sooner heard these words, than turning to the other shepherdess, "O my dear companion! (cried she), what a happy incident is this! that there knight, I assure thee, is the most valiant, enamoured, and courteous person in the whole world, if we are not misled and deceived by the printed history of his exploits, which I have read from end to end: and I will lay a wager that honest man who accompanies him is one Sancho Panza, his 'squire, whose pleasantry is above all compari"You are in the right (said Sancho): I am that pleasant fellow and loyal 'squire whom your ladyship hath so honourably mentioned; and that gentleman is my master, the very individual historified and aforesaid Don Quixote de la Mancha."

son."

"Good now! my dear (said the other), let us beseech them to stay; our fathers and brothers will be infinitely pleased with their conversation; for I have likewise heard the same account of the knight's valour and 'squire's pleas antry: as for Don Quixote in particular, he is said to be the most constant and loyal lover that ever was known; and that his mistress is one Dulcinea del Toboso, who bears away the palm of beauty from all the ladies in Spain."—" Ay, and justly too (said the knight); unless your unequalled beauty should invalidate her claim. Weary not yourselves, fair ladies, in persuading me to stay; for the indispensable duties of my profession will not allow me to rest in any place whatever."

Just as he pronounced these words, they were joined by a brother of one of the two

nymphs, clad likewise in the fashion of a shepherd, though his dress, in point of richness and gayety, corresponded with that of the ladies, who told him that the gentleman on horseback was the valiant Don Quixote de la Mancha, and the other his 'squire Sancho, whose characters he already knew from his having perused their history. The gallant youth paid his compliments, and pressed Don Quixote to accompany them to the tents, in such a manner that he could not help complying. Then setting up the shout, the nets were filled with different kinds of little birds, which, deceived by the colour of the meshes, flew precipitately into the very danger they sought to avoid.

In this place they were joined by above thirty persons gaily clad like shepherds and shepherdesses, who were immediately informed of the names of Don Quixote and his 'squire, a circumstance which afforded them no small satisfaction, as the history had already made them acquainted with the characters of both.

Repairing to the tents, where they found tables ready furnished with elegance and abundance, they complimented the knight with the place of honour, and all the company gazed upon him with admiration. At length, when the cloth was taken away, Don Quixote raising his voice, thus harangued them with great solemnity: "Of all the crimes which mankind commit, though some say pride is the greatest, I affirm that ingratitude is the most atrocious, adhering to the common supposition, that hell is crowded with the ungrateful. This crime I have, as much as in me lies, endeavoured to avoid ever since the first moment in which I could exercise my reason; and though I may not be able to repay in kind the benefits which I receive, I substitute the will for the deed: when that is not sufficient, I publish them to the world; for he that promulgates the favours he has received, would also requite them with equal generosity if it was in his power to make such recompense. But, for the most part, people who receive benefits are inferior to those who bestow them; and therefore God is above all, because he is the fountain of all good things; yet there is an infinite difference between the benefits conferred by men and those bestowed by God, so as to reject all comparison; and this narrowness and insufficiency on our part is in some measure supplied by gratitude. Now I, being grateful for the favours you have done me, which I cannot repay in the same measure, and being hampered by the narrow limits of my ability, must offer that which is in my power to present. I say, therefore, that I will, for two natural days, in the middle of that high-road that leads to Saragossa, maintain, that the ladies here present, disguised in pastoral habits, are the most fair and courteous damsels in the whole world, excepting always

and only the peerless Dulcinea del Toboso, sole mistress of my thoughts; without offence to the honourable hearers be it spoken."

Here Sancho, who had stood listening attentively to what he said, exclaimed with great vociferation, "Is it possible now that there can be persons in the world who have the presumption to say and swear that my master is a madman? Pray tell me, gentlemen and ladies, shepherds and shepherdesses, is there ever a country curate in Spain, let him be ever so wise and learned, that could say what my master has just now said; or is there a knight-errant, let him be never so famed for valour, who could make such an offer as my master has made?"

Don Quixote turning to Sancho, with rage and indignation in his countenance, "Miscreant! (said he), is it possible there should be a person upon earth who would not say that thou art stark mad, and that thy soul is lined and bordered with fillets of malice and knavery? By what authority, wretch, art thou entitled to intermeddle in my affairs, and give thy opinion whether my brain be sound or crazy? Seal up thy lips, and make no reply; but saddle Rozinante, if he is without his saddle, and let us go immediately and perform my promise; for, as I have justice on my side, you may deem all those who shall contradict my assertion as already vanquished."

So saying, he rose from his seat with great fury and demonstrations of wrath, leaving the whole company astonished, and doubting whether they should consider him as a lunatic or person of sound intellects. However, they endeavoured to dissuade him from publishing such a declaration, saying they took his gratitude for granted; and that there was no need of new proofs to demonstrate his valour, seeing those were sufficient which they had seen recorded in the history of his achievements.

Notwithstanding this remonstrance, the knight executed his design: he mounted Rozinante, embraced his shield, and, grasping his lance, posted himself in the middle of the king's highway, which was not far from their verdant habitation, being followed by Sancho upon Dapple, and the whole flock of those pastoral gentry, who were curious to see the issue of his arrogant and hitherto unseen enterprise.

Having taken possession of the ground, he wounded the very vault of heaven with the loudness of the tone in which he pronounced these words: "O ye passengers and travellers, knights, 'squires, persons on horseback or a-foot, who come, or are to come, this way, within the space of two days from this present hour, know that Don Quixote de la Mancha, knight-errant, is here posted to maintain that the nymphs who inhabit these meadows and woods excel in beauty and courtesy all the ladies upon earth, ex

clusive of Dulcinea del Toboso, the mistress of my soul. Let him who thinks the contrary advance: here I am ready to receive him." Twice did he repeat this declaration, and twice was it repeated unheard by any knight adventurer; but fortune, which was bent upon directing his affairs to better purpose, ordained that, in a very little time, he descried upon the road a great number of men on horseback, some of them armed with lances, riding towards him in great haste and all in a cluster. Those who were with Don Quixote no sooner perceived this troop, than they turned their backs, and retired a good way from the road, knowing that some mischief would befall them should they keep their ground: the knight alone maintained his post with an undaunted heart, and Sancho Panza shielded himself with the flanks of Rozinante. When this troop of lancemen advanced, one of them that rode before the rest began to halloo as loud as he could cry to Don Quixote, "Get out of the way, thou servant of the devil, or these bulls will trample thee to dust!"-" So! ho! caitiffs (replied the knight): your bulls shall not avail against me, even though they are the fiercest that ever fed upon the banks of the Xarama: confess, ye miscreants, unsight, unseen, the truth of what I have proclaimed, or meet my vengeance in the field of battle."

The herdsmen had no time to reply, nor Don Quixote to retire, had he been never so willing; so that the drove of wild bulls and tame cattle, together with a multitude of drivers, and other people employed to convey them to a place where, in a few days, they were to be baited The whole throng, I say, passed over the bellies of Don Quixote, Sancho, Rozinante, and Dapple, whom they in a twinkling overthrew and rolled in the mire, in such a manner that the 'squire was squeezed as flat as a pancake, his master astonished, Dapple terribly bruised, and Rozinante in no very catholic condition. At length, however, all the four got upon their legs; and Don Quixote, staggering here and tumbling there, began to pursue the drove on foot, calling aloud," Halt and wait a little, ye felonious plebeians; he is a single knight who defies you to the combat, and not of the disposition and opinion of those who say, Lay a bridge of silver for a flying enemy."

But, notwithstanding all his exclamation, the drovers did not slacken their pace, or mind his threats, more than they minded last year's weather. Don Quixote, being so tired that he could run no farther, sat down upon the side of the road, more incensed than revenged, and waited for Sancho, Rozinante, and Dapple, who soon arrived. Then the knight and 'squire, mounting their beasts, proceeded on their journey with more shame than satisfaction; and never dreamed of returning to take a formal leave of the feigned or counterfeit Arcadia.

CHAP. VII.

In which is recounted the extraordinary incident that happened to Don Quixote, and may well pass for an adventure.

THE dust and drought which Don Quixote and Sancho derived from the uncivil behaviour of the bulls, were remedied by a clear and limpid stream which they had the good fortune to find in a cool shade, and on the margin of which this down-trodden pair, the master and man, seated themselves, after Rozinante and Dapple were unbridled and unhaltered, and left to the freedom of their own will. Sancho immediately had recourse to the store of his wallet, from which he drew forth what he usually called his belly-timber; but not before he had rinsed his mouth, and his master had washed his own face, in consequence of which refreshment they recovered their exhausted spirits. Nevertheless Don Quixote forbore eating out of pure vexation, while Sancho, who durst not touch the food that was before him, waited, out of pure good manners, until his master should begin. Seeing, however, the knight so absorbed in his own imagination, that he forgot to lift the bread to his mouth, he, without letting one word escape his own, but trampling under foot all kind of good breeding, began to cram his paunch with the bread and cheese which constituted his provision. "Eat, friend Sancho (said Don Quixote), and support life, which is of more importance to thee than to me, and leave me to die by the strength of imagination and the severity of my misfortunes. I, Sancho, was born to live dying, and thou to die eating; and that thou mayest be convinced of this truth, consider me recorded in history, renowned in arms, courteous in demeanour, respected by princes, courted by damsels; and, after all, when I expected palms, triumphs, crowns of laurel obtained and merited by my valiant achievements, I have, this morning, seen myself trampled, spurned, and bruised by the feet of filthy unclean animals! This consideration blunts my teeth, stupifies my grinders, benumbs my hands, and deprives me wholly of appetite; so that I believe I shall die of hunger, the most cruel of all deaths." "At that rate (answered the 'squire), without suspending the action of his jaws, your worship will not approve of the proverb which says, Let Martha die, but not for lack of pie. At least I, for my own part, have no intention to starve myself; on the contrary, I am resolv ed to follow the example of the cordwainer, who stretches the leather with his teeth until it is sufficient for his purpose: now I will also employ my teeth in stretching out my life with eating, to that end which is ordained by Hea ven; and you must know, signor, that it is the

greatest madness in nature to seek to despair like your worship. Take my advice: eat a little for refreshment, and then take a nap upon the green couch of this delightful grass, and when you wake you will see how much you'll be relieved."

The knight relished his advice, which he thought savoured more of the philosopher than of the idiot; and said to him, "Now, Sancho, if thou wouldst do that for me which I am going to mention, my relief would be more certain, and my affliction diminished: my proposal is, that while I sleep, in compliance with thy advice, thou wouldst go aside a little farther, and, exposing thy flesh to the air, bestow upon it, with the reins of Rozinante's bridle, three or four hundred stripes, of three thousand three hundred which thou hast undertaken to endure for the disenchantment of Dulcinea; for it is a lamentable circumstance that the poor lady should remain so long enchanted through thy carelessness and neglect." "There is much to be said on that subject (replied Sancho): let us both go to sleep in the meantime; and afterwards God must ordain that which will come to pass. Your worship must know that it requires great resolution in a man to scourge himself in cold blood; especially when the stripes fall upon a body which is poorly fed and supported: let my lady Dulcinea have a little patience; when she least thinks of it, she will see my body scourged in to a perfect sieve, and while there is life there is hope; my meaning is, that while I hold life, I shall never quit the desire of performing my promise."

Don Quixote, thanking him for his good-will, took a little sustenance, Sancho ate voraciously, and then both laid themselves down to sleep, leaving Rozinante and Dapple, those two friends and inseparable companions, at full liberty to feed without restraint upon the luxuriant grass with which the meadow abounded.

The day being far spent before they awoke, they remounted their cattle, and pursued their journey with uncommon expedition, in order to reach an inn which they descried at a league's distance-I say an inn, because it was so called by Don Quixote, contrary to his former custom of mistaking every inn for a castle. When they arrived at this place of entertainment, they asked if they could be accommodated with lodging; and the landlord replied in the affirmative, telling them at the same time, that his house afforded as good conveniences and entertainment as could be found in the whole city of Saragossa. They alighted accordingly, and Sancho carried his bags into an apartment, of which the innkeeper gave him the key; then he

led the cattle to the stable, where he gave them their allowance; from thence he went to receive the commands of his master, who had sat down upon a bench, and thanked Heaven in a particular manner, that Don Quixote had not committed his usual mistake. They retired to their chamber, and supper-time approaching, Sancho desired to know what they could have for that meal? To this interrogation mine host replied, that his taste should be fitted to a hair, and that he might bespeak what he liked best; for as far as the birds of the air, the fowls of the land, and the fish of the sea could go, he would find the house provided. "Less than all that will serve (answered Sancho): we shall be satisfied with a couple of chickens roasted: for my master has a very delicate taste, and eats little; and as for myself, I am not a very unconscionable cormorant."

The other frankly owned he had no chickens; for the kites had destroyed the whole brood. "Well then, Mr Landlord (said the 'squire), you may order a pullet to be put to the fire; but see it be very tender."-" A pullet! (cried the innkeeper); body o' my father! now, as I am an honest man, I sent above half an hundred yesterday to market: but, setting aside pullets, you may have what you will."

"If that be the case (said Sancho), there will be no want of veal or kid."-" At present (replied the innkeeper), there is really none in the house: we are just out of these articles; but next week we shall have enough and to spare."-" To be sure we shall be much the better for that (answered Sancho): I'll lay a wager all these wants will be supplied with plenty of eggs and bacon."" 'Fore God! (said the host), my guest has an admirable knack at guessing: I have told him there is neither hen nor pullet in the house, and he would have me treat him with eggs!* Shift about if you please to some other delicacies, and think no more of poultry."

"Body o' me! (cried Sancho), let us come to some resolution; tell me at once what is in the house, and pray, Mr Landlord, no more of your shiftings.' What I really and truly can afford (said the innkeeper), is a dish of cowheel, so delicate they might be taken for calves'feet; or you may call them calves'-feet that might pass for cow-heel. They are stewed with pease, onions, and bacon, and this blessed minute cry,-Come, eat me,-come, eat me.""I mark them for my own (cried Sancho) from henceforth for ever, amen. Let no man touch the mess, for which I will pay you handsomely; for nothing in the whole world could be more agreeable to my taste and provided I have cow-heel, the calves' feet may go to the

• Why might not this innkeeper have had eggs in his house, as he had sent no less than fifty pullets to market the very day before?

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