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

CHAP. IX.

Where is set down as followeth.

MIdnight was neer spnn out when Don-Quixote and Sancho left the Mountaine and entred the Citie: the Town was all husht, and the dwellers were asleep with their leggs stretcht at length (as they say:) The night was brightsome, though Sancho wisht it had been darker, that hee might not see his madnesse: the Doggs in the Town did nothing but barke and thunder in Don-Quixotes eares, and affrighted Sancho's heart: Now and then an Asle braied, Hoggs grunted, Cats mewed, whose different howlings were augmented with the silent night; all which the enamoured Knight held to be ominous; but yet hee spoke to Sancho: Son Sancho (said hee) guide to Dulcinea's Pallace; it may bee wee shall finde her waking. Body of the Sunne (quoth Sancho) to what Palace shall I guide? for where I saw her High∣nesse it was a little house. Belike (quoth Don-Quixote) shee was retired into some corner of her Palace to solace her self in private with her Damzels, as great Ladies and Princesses use to doe. Sir (quoth Sancho) since, whether I will or no, you will have my Mistris Dulcinea's house to bee a Pallace; doe you think neverthelesse this to bee a fit time of night to finde the door open in? Doe you think it fit that we bounce that they may hear and let us in, to disquiet the whole Town? are wee going to a Bawdie∣house think yee, like your Whore-Masters that come and call, and enter, at what houre they list, how late soever it bee? First of all, to make one thing sure, let's finde the Pallace (replied Don-Quixote) and then Sancho I'le tell thee what's fit to bee done: and look, Sancho, either my sight fails me, or that great bulk and shadow that wee see is Dulcinea's Palace.

Well, guide on Sir (said Sancho) it may bee it is so, though I'le first see it with my eyes, and feel it with my hands, and beleeve it as much as it is now day. Don-Quixote led on, and having walked about some two hundred paces hee lighted on the bulk that made the shadow, and saw a great Steeple, which hee perceived was not the Pallace, but of the chiefe Church in the Towne. Then said hee, Sancho, wee are come to the Church. I see it very well (quoth Sancho) and I pray God wee come not to our Graves: for it is no good signe to haunt Church-yeards so late, especially since I told you (as I remember) that this Ladies house is in a little Ally without passage through. A pox on thee Block-head (said Don-Quixote) where hast thou ever found, that Kings Houses and Palaces have beene built in such Allies? Sir (quoth Sancho) every Countrey hath their severall fashions: It may bee here in Toboso they build their great buildings thus, and therefore pray Sir give mee leave to looke up and downe the streets or lanes that lye in my way, and it may bee that in some corner I may light upon this Palace (the Divell take it) that thus mocks and misleads us. Speak mannerly Sir (quoth Don-Quixote) of my Mistrisse things, and let's be merry and wise, and cast not the rope after the bucket.

I will forbeare (said Sancho) but how shall I endure, that you will needs have mee be throughly acquainted with a house I never saw but once, and to find it at mid-night being you cannot finde it that have seen it a million of times? Sirrah, I shall grow de∣sperate (quoth Don-Quixote) come hither Heretick. Have not I told thee a thousand times that I never saw the Peerlesse Dulcinea, nor never crossed the thresholds of her Pa∣lace, and that I only am enamoured on her by heare-say, and the great fame of her beau∣ty and discretion? Why now I heare you said Sancho, and since you say, you have never seen her; nor I neither.

That cannot bee (said Don-Quixote) for you told mee at least, that you had seene her winnowing of Wheate, when you brought mee the answere of the Letter

I sent by you. Ne're stand upon that (said Sancho) for let mee tell you, that I only saw her by heare-say too, and so was the Answere I brought: for I know her as well as I can box the Moone. Sancho, Sancho, said (Don-Quixote) there's a time to laugh, and a time to mourne. Now because I say, I have neyther seene, nor spoken to the Mistris of my Soul, shouldest thou say thou hast neyther seene nor spoken to her, it being otherwise (as thou knowest?) Being in this discourse, they saw one pas∣sing by them with two Mules, and by the noise the Plough made which they drew upon the ground, they might see it was some Husbandman that rose by breake of day, to goe to his tillage, and so it was: as he came, he went singing that Romante of the battell of Roncesualles with the French-men.

In hearing of which (quoth Don-Quixote) Sancho hang me if we have any good for∣tune this night. Do not you hear what this Clown sings? Yes marry doe I (said Sancho) but what doth the Chase of Roncesualles concerne us? 'Tis no more then if hee had sung the Romante of Calamos [as if we should have said in English Chevie-Case, or some such like.] and all one, for our good or ill luck in this businesse.

By this the Plough-man came by them, and Don-Quixote questioned him: Can you tell mee friend (so God reward you) which is the Palace of the Peerles•• Dulcinea del To∣boso? Sir, answered the yong man, I am a stranger, and have lived but a while in this towne, and serve a rich husbandman, to till his ground; here over against, the Vicar and the Sexton both live, any of them will tell you of this Lady Princess, as having a List of all the inhabitants of Toboso; although I think there is no such Princesse here, but many Gentlefolke, each of which may be a Princesse in her own house. Why friend (qd. Don-Quixote) it may be that she I ask for is amongst these. It may be so said the fellow and God speed you, for now it begins to be day peep; and switching his Mules, he staid for no more questions.

Sancho, seeing his Master in a deep suspence and very Malecontent, told him, Sir, The day comes on apace, and it will not bee so fitte that wee Sunne our selves in the Streete: It is better to goe out of the Cittie, and that you shade your selfe in some Grove hereabouts, and I will come backe anon, and not leave a by place in all this Towne, where I may search for the House, Castle, or Palace of my Lady, and it were ill luck if I found her not: and if I doe, I will speake with her and let her know where, and how you doe, expecting that shee give you Order and Direction, how you may see her, without any manner of prejudice to her Honour and good name.

Sancho (said Don-Quixote) thou hast spoken a thousand sentences, inclosed in the circle of thy short discourse: The advice that thou hast now given me I hunger after, and most lovingly accept of: Come sonne, let us take shade, and thou shalt return (as thou sayest) to seek, to see, and to speak to my Mistris, from whose discretion and courtesie I hope for a thousand miraculous favours. Sancho stood upon Thornes till hee had drawn his Master from the Town, lest hee should verifie the lie of the answer that hee had carried him from Dulcinea to Sierra Morena. So hee hastened him to be gone, which was presently done, some two miles from the Town, where they found a For∣rest or Wood, where Don-Quixote took shade; and Sancho returned to the Citie to speak with Dulcinea, in which Embassie matters befell him that require a new atten∣tion, and a new beliefe.