devil." No man shall interfere with you (replied the landlord): as for the other company in the house, they, out of pure gentility, bring along with them their own cook, butler, and sumpter-mule."-" Nay, as for gentility (said the 'squire), no man has more of that than my master; but his profession will not admit of travelling stores and butteries; lacka-day! we lay ourselves down in the middle of a green field, and fill our bellies with medlars and acorns.' Such was the conversation that passed between the innkeeper and Sancho, who would not, however, go any greater lengths in satisfying the curiosity of mine host, who was very desirous to know the office or profession of his master.

Supper being ready, Don Quixote retired to his apartment, whither the landlord brought the pot just as it was, and very decently sat down to partake of the meal. At that instant the knight heard people talking in the next room, from which he was divided only by a partition of lath, and could plainly distinguish these words: "As you hope to live, Don Geronimo, I conjure you, as supper is not yet ready, to read another chapter of the second part of Don Quixote de la Mancha."

The knight, hearing his own name mentioned, started up immediately, and, listening with great attention, heard Geronimo reply to this effect: "What pleasure can you have in reading such absurdities, Don John? No person who has seen the first part of the history of Don Quixote de la Mancha can possibly be entertained with this which is called the second."-"Nevertheless (said Don John), it will not be amiss to read a little, for there is no book so bad as to contain nothing that deserves regard. What displeases me most in this performance is, the author's describing Don Quixote as altogether disengaged and detached from Dulcinea del Toboso." The knight, hearing this remark, was filled with rage and vexation, and exclaimed aloud, "If any person whatever affirms that Don Quixote de la Mancha either has forgotten, or can forget, Dulcinea del Toboso, I will, with equal arms, make him know and own, that his assertion is far distant from the truth; for the peerless Dulcinea del Toboso cannot possibly be forgot; nor is Don Quixote susceptible of forgetfulness: his motto is Constancy, which he professes to maintain with gentleness and suavity of manners.""Who is he that answers?" cried the voice. "Who should it be (replied Sancho), but Don Quixote de la Mancha in his own person? who

will make good whatever he has said, and whatever he shall say; for A good paymaster wants no pawn."

Scarce had the 'squire pronounced these words, when two gentlemen, for such they appeared, entered the apartment, and one of them throwing his arms about Don Quixote's neck, "Your appearance (said he), does not bely your name, and your name cannot but give credit to your appearance. Without all doubt, you, signor, are the true Don Quixote de la Mancha, the north star and luminary of knight-errantry, maugre and in despite of him who has thought proper to usurp your name and annihilate your exploits, I mean the author of this here book;" which he took from his companion, and put into the hand of Don Quixote, who, without answering one word, began to turn over the leaves, and in a very little time gave it back to the stranger, saying, "In the little I have read I find three things worthy of reprehension in the author; first, some expressions in the prologue or preface; secondly, his using the Arragonian dialect, and writing sometimes without articles; and, thirdly, that which confirms my opinion of his ignorance is, his erring and deviating from

the truth in the most material circumstance of the history; for (he says), the wife of my 'squire, Sancho Panza, is called Mary Gutierrez, whereas her name is Teresa Panza; now, if he blunders in such an essential circumstance, we may justly conclude, that his whole history is full of mistakes."

"A pleasant historian, i'faith! (cried Sancho): he must be well acquainted with our adventures, to be sure, when he calls my dame Teresa by the name of Mary Gutierrez! Take the book again, signor, and see if he has lugged me in too under a borrowed name!"-" From what you have said, friend (replied Don Geronimo), I find you must certainly be Sancho Panza, 'squire to Signor Don Quixote."-" Even so (answered the 'squire); and I am proud of the occupation."-" Then, in good sooth! (said the cavalier), this author has not treated you so handsomely as from your appearance I conclude you deserve: he represents you as a gormandizer, a simpleton without the least vein of humour or pleasantry; and, in short, quite different from the Sancho described in the first part of the history of your master!"-" The Lord in heaven forgive him! (cried Sancho); he might have let me sleep in my corner, without remembering there was such a sinner as me upon the face of the earth: for he that has

skill should handle the quill-and I know that St Peter is well at Rome.'

The two gentlemen invited Don Quixote to sup with them in their apartment, as they knew the inn could not afford any thing proper for his entertainment; and the knight, who was always the pink of courtesy, complied with their request; so that Sancho, remaining undisputed master of the pot, Cum mero mixto imperio, he seated himself at the head of the table, in company with the landlord, who vied with him in affection for the cow-heel and calves'-feet.

Don John, in the course of the conversation at supper, asked what news Don Quixote had concerning the lady Dulcinea del Toboso: he begged to know if she was married, brought-tobed, or in a state of pregnancy; or, if still single, she, as far as modesty and decorum would permit, smiled upon the passion of her lover, Don Quixote. "Dulcinea (answered the knight), is still unmarried, and my passion more intense than ever: our correspondence stands on the old footing, and her beauty is transformed into the appearance of a base-born rustic wench." Then he, in a very circumstantial manner, related the enchantment of his mistress, together with his adventure in the cave of Monte-, sinos, and the means prescribed by the sage Merlin for her relief; namely, the flagellation of Sancho.

Unspeakable was the satisfaction which the two cavaliers enjoyed in hearing Don Quixote recount the strange incidents of his history; and they were equally astonished at the folly of his adventures and the elegance with which he related them here they esteemed him as a man of sound understanding; and there he slipped through their opinion into the sink of madness; so that they could not determine what rank he should maintain between lunacy and discretion. Meanwhile Sancho, having finished his meal, left his landlord more than half seas over; and entering the chamber where his master sat, "Gentlemen (said he), I'll be hanged if the author of that book your worships were talking of has any mind or inclination that he and I should be mess-mates: since he has given me the character of a glutton, as your worships have observed, I wish he may not have likewise called me a drunkard."-" He has indeed (replied Don Geronimo); but I do not remember the expression, though I know the words are very scurrilous and false above measure, as I can plainly perceive in the physiognomy of honest Sancho here present."-"Take my word for it, noble gentlemen (said the 'squire), the Sancho and Don Quixote of that history must be persons quite different from those recorded by Cid Hamet Benengeli, who are no other than we ourselves, here standing and sitting in your presence: my master valiant, sagacious, and enamoured; and I simple, and withal pleasant; but neither sot

nor gormandizer."-"I believe what you say (replied Don John), and wish it were possible to obtain a mandate, prohibiting any person or persons from presuming to meddle with the affairs of the great Don Quixote, excepting Hamet, his original author; in the same manner as Alexander the Great decreed that no painter but Apelles should draw his portrait."-" Any body may draw my portrait (said the knight); but let no man maltreat my character; for patience often falls to the ground when it is overloaded with injuries."-" No injury can be done to Don Quixote but what he can easily revenge (answered Don John); unless he choose rather to ward it off with the buckler of his patience, which, I believe, is both strong and ample."

In this and other such conversation, they spent great part of the night: and although Don John would fain have persuaded Don Quixote to read a little more of the book, that they might hear him descant upon particulars, he could not accomplish his purpose; the knight assuring him he considered it as good as read, and pronounced the whole a heap of absurdities; nor did he choose that the author, who might perhaps hear it was in his hands, should have the satisfaction of thinking he had perused his performance; for from objects of obscenity and turpitude, not only the eyes, but even the imagination, ought to be kept sacred. When they asked whither his course was at present directed, he told them he was bound for Saragossa, in order to signalize himself in the prize justs which are yearly solemnized in that city.

Then Don John gave him to understand that the new history gives an account of the spurious Don Quixote's having been in that place at a course, the description of which was barren of invention, low in style, miserably poor in devices, and rich in nothing but folly and impertinence."-" For that very reason (said Don Quixote), I will not set foot in Saragossa, and so demonstrate to the wide world the falsehood of this modern historian, and let the nation see I am not the Don Quixote whom he has described."-" I applaud your resolution (replied Don Geronimo); and there will be a tournament in Barcelona, where Don Quixote will have an opportunity to signalize his valour."-" And that I shall surely embrace (answered the knight): at present, gentlemen, as it is high time, you will give me leave to retire to bed; and I beg you will esteem and place me among the number of your most sincere friends and humble servants."—" And me also (said Sancho), peradventure my service may be good for something." They accordingly took their leave, and retired to their apartment, leaving Don John and his companion astonished at the medley of sense and madness they had observed in his discourse: they believed, without hesita

tion, these to be the real Don Quixote and Sancho, and not the persons described by the Arragonian author.

Don Quixote rising early next morning, tapped at the partition, and bade farewell to his entertainers; and Sancho paid his reckoning like a prince, advising the landlord, however, either to furnish his house better, or to brag less of his accommodations.

CHAP. VIII.

Sancho, against his own consent; for if the condition of this remedy be, that Sancho shall receive three thousand three hundred stripes, what signifies it to me whether they are bestowed by his own hand or that of some other person, seeing the essential point is in his receiving them, from what quarter soever they may come?"

Inspired with this notion, he took the reins of Rozinante's bridle, which he formed into an instrument of flagellation; and, approaching the sleeping 'squire, began to untruss his points; indeed, it is the general opinion, that he had but one before, which kept up his breeches.

lona.

THE morning was cold, and seemed to promise but little less for the day on which Don Quixote departed from the inn, after having informed himself of the nearest road to Barcelona, which he could travel without touching at Saragossa; so eager he was to fix the lie upon the new historian, by whom they said he was so scurvily treated.

So it happened that he met with nothing worthy of record during six days, at the end of which, having quitted the high-road, he was benighted among a thick cluster of oaks or cork trees, for in this particular Cid Hamet has not preserved his usual punctuality. The master and man alighting from their beasts, and accommodating themselves at the roots of two separate trees, Sancho, who had laid in a good afternoon's luncheon, entered the gates of sleep abruptly, and without hesitation; whereas the knight, who was kept awake more by fancy than by hunger, could not close an eye; but, on the contrary, rambled in his imagination through a thousand different scenes. Some times he conceived himself to be in the cave of Montesinos; sometimes he thought he saw Dulcinea skipping and leaping upon her ass, in that dismal state of rustic transformation; and then his ears seemed to tingle with the words of the sage Merlin, who pronounced the conditions and endeavours to be observed and exerted for the disenchantment of his mistress. He was driven almost to desperation, when he reflected on the sloth and uncharitable disposition of his 'squire Sancho, who, to the best of his belief, had hitherto given himself only five stripes,-a number poor and inconsiderable in comparison with the infinite score unpaid: and this consideration overwhelmed him with such anxiety and chagrin, that he thus argued with his own bosom :

"If Alexander the Great ventured to cut the Gordian knot, on the supposition that cutting would be as effectual as untying it; and, notwithstanding this violence, became sole master of all Asia; the same success may now attend my efforts in disenchanting Dulcinea, should I scourge

tion, when Sancho, shaking off the fetters of slumber at one start, exclaimed aloud, "What's the matter? who the devil is that so busy untrussing me while I am asleep?"—" It is I (answered the knight), who mean to atone for thy omissions, and remedy my own misfortunes. I come to scourge thee, Sancho, and discharge some part of the debt which thou art obligated to pay: Dulcinea pines in a state of transformation; and while thou livest at thy heart's ease, I am dying with desire: untie these points, therefore, of thy own free will; for mine, I assure thee, is to afflict thy posteriors with two thousand stripes at least, before we quit this unfrequented place."-" By no manner of means! (cried Sancho): I advise your worship to be quiet, or by the God of Israel! the deaf shall hear us: the stripes I have obliged myself to receive must be given with my own free will and consent, not by force or compulsion; and at present I have not the least inclination to discipline my own flesh: let it suffice, I give your worship my word and honour, that I will flog and fly-flap my carcass, as soon as ever I find myself disposed for such exercise."-" I must not leave it to thy courtesy (replied the knight): for thou hast a stony heart, and, though a peasant, art very tender of thy flesh." He accordingly struggled with all his might to unbreech the 'squire, who, finding the affair become very serious, starting up from the ground, sprung upon his master, and, closing with him, in a trice, tripped up his heels; so that the knight came instantly to the ground, where he lay with his face uppermost: then the victor, clapping his right knee to the breast of the vanquished party, and griping him fast by both wrists, hampered him in such a manner, that he could scarce either breathe or move. Nevertheless he made shift to pronounce these words: "How now, traitor! dost thou presume to rebel against thy master and natural lord, whose bread thou hast eaten?"-"I neither exalt kings nor dethrone them (answered Sancho): but, being my own master, I stand in my own defence: if your worship will promise to be quiet, and think no more of scourging me for the present, I will forthwith free and disencumber you from these

bonds; otherwise, here thou shalt die, traitor and enemy to Donna Sancha."

The knight subscribed to the conditions, swearing by the life of his inclinations, that he would not touch the nap of his garment, but leave him at full liberty to begin the flagellation when he himself should think proper. On these considerations Sancho arose, and went aside a good way, to another tree, at whose root he resolved to take his lodging for the remaining part of the night. There he felt something bob against his head, and putting up his hand found two legs provided with shoes and stockings: trembling with afright, he moved with great expedition to another tree, where he met with the same salutation, which increased his terror to such a pitch that he roared aloud for assistance. His master hearing this exclamation, ran towards the place, and inquired into the cause of his fear and confusion; when the 'squire gave him to understand that all these trees were loaded with human legs and feet. The knight, reaching up his hand, immediately conceived the meaning of this strange circumstance; and said to Sancho," Thou need'st not be afraid; for those legs and feet, which thou hast felt without seeing, certainly belong to some robbers and outlaws, who are hanged upon the trees; for, when they are apprehended in this place, the officers of justice string them up by twenties and thirties; and, from this particular, I am convinced that we must now be near Barcelona." And indeed his conjecture was right. Soon as objects were rendered visible by the dawn, they lifted up their eyes, and saw that the clusters, depending from the trees, were no other than the bodies of banditti. The morning forthwith ushered in the day; and if they were scared by the dead, they were no less aghast when they found themselves all of a sudden surrounded by above forty living robbers, who called to them in the Catalonian language to be quiet, and stand still until their captain should arrive.

Don Quixote being a-foot, his horse unbridled, his lance leaning against a tree, and, in short, his person without any means of defence, he thought proper to cross his arms upon his breast, and hung his head, reserving himself for a better season, and more happy conjuncture. Meanwhile, the robbers made such despatch in plundering Dapple, that in the twinkling of an eye there was not the least crumb left in the wallet and pillion; and lucky it was for Sancho that he had secured, in a concealed girdle, the duke's crowns, and the money he had brought from home; nay, notwithstanding this precaution, those honest gentlemen would have searched and rummaged him in such a manner as to have found the cash, even though it had been hidden between the flesh and the skin, had they not been interrupted by the seasonable arrival of their captain, who seemed to

be about four and thirty years of age, of a robust make, middling stature, grave countenance, and brown complexion: he rode a strong horse, was provided with a coat of mail, and he had slung a pair of pistols with firelocks at each side of him. Seeing his 'squires, for so they call the gentlemen of that profession, very busy in rifling Sancho Panza, he ordered them to desist; and as they immediately obeyed his command, the girdle happily escaped. Surprised to see a lance leaning against a tree, a shield lying on the ground, and Don Quixote armed at all points, and in manifest despondence, exhibiting the most rueful and melancholy figure that Melancholy herself could have formed, he approached the knight, saying, "Be not so dejected, honest friend, you have not fallen into the hands of a cruel Osiris, but of those of Roque Guinart, who has more of compassion than cruelty in his disposition."

"My dejection (answered the knight), does not proceed from my having fallen under thy power, O valiant Roque, whose fame the limits of this earth cannot confine: but from the consciousness of my own neglect, in consequence of which thy soldiers found me unprepared; whereas I am bound, by the order of chivalry, which I profess, to be always alert and vigilant, and to stand, as it were, at all times sentry upon myself: and give me leave to tell thee, O renowned Roque! they would not have found it such an easy task to subdue me, had I been on horseback, armed with my lance and shield; for know, I am Don Quixote de la Mancha, whose exploits are celebrated through this whole terraqueous globe."

Roque Guinart immediately perceived that the knight's infirmity partook more of madness than of valour; and although he had frequently heard him named, he looked upon his achievements as altogether fabulous, and could not believe that such a humour did ever prevail in the heart of man: he was, therefore, extremely well pleased with this encounter, that he might, with his own eyes, see immediately before him what he had heard reported afar off." Valiant knight (said he), do not vex yourself, or consider your present situation in the light of a misfortune: perhaps, by stumbling in this manner, your crooked fate may be made straight; for heaven, by strange, unforeseen windings, which mankind cannot comprehend, is wont to raise the fallen and enrich the needy."

Don Quixote's mouth was already open to thank him for his courteous behaviour, when they heard behind them a noise like that of a whole troop of horse, though there was only one, upon which came at full speed a youth who seemed to be about the age of twenty, dressed in green damask, laced with gold, long breeches, a loose coat, hat cocked in the Walloon fashion, with straight waxed boots and spurs ; armed with a gold-hilted sword and dag

ger, a small fusil in his hand, and a case of pistols by his side.

Roque, hearing the noise, turned about, and was surprised with the sight of this handsome figure, who accosted him in these terms: "In search of thee, courageous Roque, I came hither, hoping, by thy means, to find, if not a remedy, at least an alleviation of my misfortune: and, to keep thee no longer in suspense, as I am certain you never saw me before, know that I am Claudia Geronima, daughter of Simon Forte, who is thy intimate friend as well as the particular enemy of Clauquel Torellas, thy inveterate foe, as being head of the party which thou hast always opposed. This Torellas, thou knowest, has a son, called Don Vincente Torel las, at least he was, two hours ago, distinguish ed by that name. I will be as brief as possible in the account of my disaster, and explain the occasion of it in a few words: that youth happened to see me, and courted my good graces; I listened to his addresses, and gave him my heart, without the knowledge of my father; for there is no woman whatsoever so retired and mewed up, but she will find a time to execute and gratify her irresistible desires. In a word, he promised to be my husband, I consented to become his wife; and this was the farthest extent of our correspondence. Yesterday I was informed, that, forgetting this obligation, he intended to marry another woman, and that this morning he had set out to celebrate his nuptials. My brain was disturbed, and my indignation roused to such a degree by these fatal tidings, that, taking advantage of my father's absence, I disguised myself in this apparel, pursued a-horseback my perfidious lover, whom, having overtaken about a league from this place, I, without staying to make complaints or hear apologies, discharged upon him this fusil and these two pistols; so that, I believe, he has more than a brace of bullets in his body: thus I opened a gate through which my honour, though bathed in his blood, may escape, and left him in the hands of his servants, who neither could nor presumed to exert themselves in his defence. Thence I came in quest of thee, to beg that thou wilt conduct me safely to France, where I have relations; and, at the same time, promise to defend my father from the numerous kindred of Don Vincente, who may otherwise sacrifice him to their insatiable revenge."

Roque was struck with admiration at the gallantry, gay appearance, genteel mien, and adventure of the beauteous Claudia, to whom he replied, "Come, madam, let us first see whether or not your enemy is actually dead, and then we will consider about the most proper measures to be taken in your behalf." Here

Don Quixote, who had listened with great attention to Claudia's address and Roque's reply, interposing in the conversation, exclaimed, "No man has any occasion to give him the least trouble about the defence of this lady, which I take upon my own shoulders. Give me my horse and my arms, and stay where you are; I will go in quest of the gentleman, and, dead or alive, compel him to perform the promise he hath made to so much beauty." "Who doubts that! (cried Sancho), adad! my master has an excellent hand at match-making: a few days ago he compelled another person, who likewise refused to keep his word with a young woman: and if those plaguy enchanters, who persecute him so much, had not transmographied the gal lant into a lacquey, that very hour, she that was a maid before, would have been a maid no more.'

Roque, whose attention was engrossed by the adventure of the beautiful Claudia, paid very little regard to what was said either by the mas ter or the man; but, ordering his 'squires to restore the spoils of Dapple to Sancho, and retire to the place appointed for their quarters that night, he set out with Claudia, in great haste, to reconnoitre the situation of the dead or wounded Don Vincente. When they arrived at the spot where he had been overtaken by the young lady, they found nothing but some recent blood; but, casting their eyes around, they discovered some people on the side of a hill, and conjectured they could be no other than the servants of Don Vincente carrying their master to a proper place, where he might be cured, if alive, or buried, if dead. Their supposition was just; and, spurring up their horses, they soon overtook the unhappy cavalier, whom they found in the arms of his attendants, whom he entreated, in a faint and languid voice, to let him die where he was; for the pains of his wounds would not suffer him to proceed farther. Then Claudia and Roque approached him, to the great terror of his servants, who stood aghast at sight of this famous freebooter; but Claudia was greatly disturbed at the melancholy situation of Don Vincente; and, agitated by the conflicting passions of tenderness and resentment, took him by the hand, saying, "Hadst thou given me this of thy own accord, conformable to the mutual promise subsisting between us, thou wouldst never have been in this condi tion."

The wounded cavalier opened his eyes, which were almost shut for ever, and recognizing Claudia, "I plainly perceive (said he), most beautiful and misled young lady, that I owe my death to your hand,-a punishment altogether uninerited and unsuited to my inclinations, which, as well as my conduct, were, in