The history of the valorous and vvitty-knight-errant, Don-Quixote, of the Mancha tr. out of the Spanish.

CHAP. IV.

How Sancho Panca satisfies the Bachelor Samson Carrasco's doubts and demands, with other Accidents worthy to be knowne and related.

SANCHO came back to Don-Quixotes house, and turning to his former discourse said, Touching what Master Samson desired to know; who, how, and when mine Asse was stolne: By way of answere, I say; that the very same night wee fled from the hue and cry, we entred Sierra Morena, after the unfortunate Adven∣ture of the Gally-slaves & the dead-man that was carrying to Se∣govia, my Master and I got us into a thicket, where hee leaning upon his Launce, and I upon my Dapple, both of us well bruized and wearied with the former skermishes, we fell to sleep as soundly, as if we had been upon some fether beds, especially I, that slept so soundly, that he, whosoever he was, might easily come and put me upon foure Stakes, which he had fastned upon both sides of my pack-saddle, upon which he left me thus mounted, and without perceiving it, got my Dapple from under me.

This was easie to bee done, and no strange accident; for wee read that the same happened to Sacripant, when being at the siege of Albraca, that famous Theefe Brunel••, with the self same slight got his horse from under his legs. Sancho proceeds: It was light day (said hee) when I had scarce stretched my self, but the stakes failed, and I got a good squelch upon the ground: then I looked for mine Asse, but not finding him, the tears came to mine eyes, and I made such strange moan, that if the Authour of our History omitted it, let him bee assured hee forgot a worthy passage. I know not how long after, comming with my Lady the Princesse Micomicona, I knew mine Asse, and that hee who rode on him in the habit of a Gipson was that Gines de Passamonte, that Cheater, that arrant Mischief-monger that my Master and I freed from the Chaine.

The errour was not in this (said Samson) but that before there was any news of your Asse, the Authour still said, you were mounted upon the self-same Dapple. I know not what to say to that (quoth Sancho) but that either the Historian was deceived, or else it was the carelesnesse of the Printer. Without doubt (saith Samson) 'twas like to bee so: But what became of the Pistolets? Were they sp••nt?

I spent them upon my self (quoth Sancho) and on my Wife and Children, and they have been the cause that shee hath indured my Journies and Careers, which I have fetche in my Master Don-Quixotes service; for if I should have returned emptie, and with∣out mine Asse, I should have been welcommed with a pox: And if you will know any more of me, here I am that will answer the King himself in person and let no body intermeddle to know whether I brought, or whether I brought not; whether I spent or spent not; for if the blows that I have had in these Voyages were to bee paid in money, though every one of them were taxed but at three farthings a peece, an hundred Pistolets more would not pay me the half of them; and let every man look to himself, and not take white for black, and black for white; for every man is as God hath made him, and sometimes a great deale worse:

Let me alone (quoth Carrasco) for accusing the Authour of the History, that if hee Print it again, hee shall not forget what Sancho hath said, which sh••ll make it twice as good as it was. Is there ought else, Sir Bachelour (said Don-Quixote) to bee mended in this Legend? Yes marry is there (said hee) but nothing so important as what hath been mentioned. Perhaps the Authour promiseth a second part (quoth Don-Quixote?)

Hee doth (said Samson) but saith, hee neither findes nor knowes who hath it, so that it is doubtfull whether it will come out or no: so that partly for this, and part∣ly because some hold that Second Parts were never good; and others, That there is e∣nough written of Don-Quixote, it is doubted that there will bee no Second Part, although some more Ioviall then Saturnists, cry out; Let us have more Quixotisme: Let Don-Quixote assault and Sancho speake, let the rest be what they will, this is enough. And how is the Author enclined?

To which (said Samson) when he had found this History, that he searcheth after with extraordinary diligence, he will straight commit it to the Presse, rather for his profit tho, then for any other respect. To this (said Sancho) What? doth the Author looke after money and gain? 'tis a wonder if he be in the right; rather he will be like your false stitching Taylors upon Christmas Eeves; for your hastie worke is never well performed; let that Mr. Moore have a care of his businesse, for my Master and I will furnish him with Rubbish enough at hand, in matter of Adventures, and with such different successes, that hee may not only make one second Part, but one hundreth: the poore fellow thinkes belike, that wee sleepe here in an Hay-mow; well, let it come to scanning, and hee shall see whether wee bee defective: This I know, that if my Ma∣ster would take my Counsell, hee should now bee abroade in the Cham∣pion, remedying grievances, rectifying wrongs, as good Knights Errant are wont to doe.

No sooner had Sancho ended this discourse, when the neighing of Rozinante came to his eares, which Don-Quixote tooke to be most auspicious, and resolved within three or four dayes after to make another sally, and manifesting his minde to the Ba∣chelor, asked his advice to know which way he should begin his journey; whose opi∣nion was, That he should goe to the Kingdome of Aragon, and to the Citty of Saragosa where, not long after, there were solemn Justs to be held in honour of Saint George, wherein he might get more fame then all the Knights of Aragon, which were above all other Knights. Hee praised his most noble and valiant resolution, but withall desired him to be more wary in attempting of dangers, since his life was not his owne, but all theirs also, who needed his protection and succour in their distresse.

I renounce that, Master Samson, (said Sancho) for my Master will set upon an hundred armed men, as a boy would upon halfe a dozen of young Melons; Body of the world, Sir Bachelour, there is a time to attempt, a time to retire, all must not be Saint Iacques, and upon um: [Santingo, y Cierra Espana. As we use in England, Saint George and th•• Victory.] Besides, I have heard, and I beleeve from my Master himself, (if I have not forgotten) that valour is a mean between the two extreames of a Coward and a rash man: and if this be so, neither would I have him fly, nor follow, without there be reason for it: but above all, I wish that if my Master carry mee with him, it be upon condition, that he fight for us both, and that I be tied to no∣thing but waiting upon him, to look to his clothes and his diet, for this I will doe as nimbly, as bring him water; but to think that I will lay hand to my sword, although it be but against base fellowes and poor rascals, is most impossible. I (Master Samson) strive not to hoord up a fame of being valiant, but of the best and trustiest Squire that ever served Knight Errant: And if Don-Quixote my Master, obliged thereunto by my many services, will bestow any Island on me of those many his Worship saith wee shall light upon, I shall be much bound to him: And if he give me none, I was borne, & one man must not live to relie on another, but on God; & perhaps I shall bee as well with a piece of bread at mine ease, as to bee a Governour; and what doe I know, whether in these kindes of Government, the Divill hath set any tripping-block before me where I may stumble and fall, and dash out my Teeth? Sancho was I borne, Sancho must I die? but for all that, if so and so, without any care or danger. Heaven should provide some Island for mee, or any such like thing; I am not so very an Asse as to refuse it, according to the Proverbe, Looke not a given Horse in the Mouth.

Friend Sancho (quoth Carrasco) you have spoken like an Oracle: Notwithstand∣ing, trust in God and Master Don-Quixote, that hee will give you not only an Island, but a Kingdome too. I think one as well as tother (quoth Sancho) and let me tell you, Master Samson (said Sancho) I thinke my Masters Kingdome would not bee be∣stowed on mee in vaine, for I have felt mine owne Pulse, and finde my selfe healthy e∣nough to rule Kingdomes and governe Islands, and thus I have told my Master many times.

Look yee Sancho (quoth Samson) Honours change Manners, and perhaps when you are once a Governour, you may scarse know your own Mother. That's to bee un∣derstood (said Sancho) of them that are basely born, and not of those that have on their Souls four singers fat of the old Christian, as I have [To expresse his not being borne a Iew or Moor:] No, but come to my condition which will bee ungratefull to no body. God grant it (quoth Don-Quixote) and wee shall see when the Government comes; for me thinks I have it before mine eyes. (Which said) hee asked the Bache∣lour whether he were a Poet, and that hee would doe him the favour to make him some Verses, the subject of his farewell to his Mistris Dulcinea del Toboso, and withall, that at the beginning of every Verse he should put a letter of her name, that so joyning all the first letters, there might bee read Dulcinea del Toboso. The Bachelor made answer, that though hee were none of the famous Poets of Spain, which they said were but three and an half; yet hee would not refuse to compose the said meeter, although hee found a great deal of difficultie in the composition, because there were seventeen letters in the name; and if hee made four staves, of each four verses, that there would bee a letter too much; and if hee made them of five, which they call Decimi, there would bee three too little; but for all that hee would see if hee could drown a Letter; so in four staves there might bee read Dulcinea del Toboso. By all means (quoth Don-Qui∣xote) let it bee so: for if the name bee not plain and conspicuous, there is no woman will beleeve the meeter was composed for her.

Upon this they agreed, and that eight dayes after their departure should be. Don-Quixote enjoyned the Bachelour to keep it secret, especially from the Vicar and Ma∣ster Nicholas [The Barber] his Neece and the old woman, lest they should disturb his noble and valiant resolution. Carrasco assured him, and so took leave, charging Don-Quixote hee should let him heare of all his good or bad Fortune at his best leisure: So they took leave, and Sancho went to provide for their Journey.