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

CHAP. XXVIII.

Of things that Benengeli relates, which hee that reads shall know, if hee read them with attention.

WHen the Valiant man turns his back, the advantage over him is mani∣fest, and it is the part of wise men to reserve themselves to better oc∣casions: This truth was verified in Don-Quixote, who giving way to the furie of the people, and to the ill intentions of that angry Squadron, took his heels, and without remembring Sancho, or the danger he left him in, got himself so farr as he might seem to be safe. Sancho followed laid a-thwart upon his Asse, as hath been said: At last hee over-took him, being now come to himself; and comming neer, hee fell off his Dapple at Rozinantes feet, all sorrowfull bruised and beaten.. Don-Quixote alighted to search his wounds; but finding him whole from top to toe, very angrily hee said, You must Bray with a plague to you; and where have you found that 'tis good naming the halter in the hanged mans house? To your Bray musick what counterpoint could you expect but Bat-blows? And Sancho, you may give God thanks, that since they bles∣sed you with a cudgell, they had not made the per signum crucis on you with a Sce∣miter.

I know not what to answer (quoth Sancho) for me thinks I speak at my back; pray let's bee gone from hence, and I'le no more braying; yet I cannot but say, that your Knights Errant can flye and leave their faithfull Squires to be bruised like Privet by their enemies.

To retire is not to flye (said Don-Quixote) for know Sancho, that Valour that is not founded upon the Bassis of Wisdome, is stiled Temerity, and the rash mans actions

are rather attributed to good fortune then courage. So that I confesse I retired, but fled not, and in this have imitated many valiant men, that have reserved themselves for bet∣ter times; and Histories are full of these, which because now they would be tedious to me, and unprofitable to thee, I relate them not at present.

By this time Sancho, with Don-Quixotes helpe, got to horse, and Don-Quixote mounted Rozinante, and by little and little, they had gotten into a little Elme-grove, some quarter of a league off; now and then Sancho would fetch a most deep Heigh ho•• and dolorous sighes. And Don-Quixote demanding the reason of his pittifull com∣plaints, he said, that from the point of his back-bone, to the top of his crowne, he was so sore th•••• hee knew not what to doe. The cause of that paine undoubtedly (quoth Don-Quixote) is, that as the cudgell with which they banged thee was long and slen∣der, it lighted upon those parts of thy back all along that grieve thee; and if it had been thicker, it had grieved thee more. Truly (quoth Sancho) you have resolved mee of a great doubt, and in most delicate termes declared it to mee. Body of mee, was the cause of my griefe so concealed that you must needes tell mee that all of mee was sore where the cudgell lighted? If my ankles did paine mee, I warrant you would riddle the cause of it; but 'tis poore ridling to tell that my bruising grieves mee. Yfaith, yfaith, Master mine, other mens ills are sleightly regarded, and every day I discover Land, and see how little I can expect from your service; for if at this time you suffered mee to bee dry beaten, wee shall come a hundred and a hundred times to the Blanket-tossing you wot of, and other childish tricks, which if they now lighted on my shoulders, they will after come out at mine eyes. It were a great deale better for mee, but that I am a beast, and shall never doe ought well while I live. It were a great deale better (I say againe) for mee to get mee home to my Wife and Children, to maintaine and bring them up with that little God hath given mee, and not to follow you up and down these hy-waies, drinking ill, and eating worse. And for your Bed, good honest Squire, even count mee out seven foote of good earth; and if you will have any more, take as many more; for you may feede at pleasure, stretch your selfe at your case, I would the first that made stitch in Knight Errantry were burned, or beaten to powder, or at least hee that first would bee Squire to such fooles, as all your Knights-Errant in former times have been, of the present I say nothing; for your selfe being one, I re∣spect them, and because I know that you know an Ace more then the Devill in all you speak or think.

I durst venter a good wager with thee Sancho (quoth Don-Quixote,) that now thou talkest and no body controules thee, thou feelest no paine in all thy Body: Talke on, childe mine, all that is in thy minde, or comes to thy Mouth, for so thou beest not grieved, I will bee pleased with the distaste that thy impertinencies might give mee. And if you desire so much to bee at home with your Wife and Children, God forbid I should gain say it: you have money of mine, and see how long 'tis since our third sally from home, and how much is due to you for every Moneth, and pay your selfe.

When I served (quoth Sancho): Tome Carrasco, Father to the Bachelor Carrasco, whom you know well, I had two Ducats a moneth besides my victualls: of you I know not how much I shall have, though I am sure it is a greater toyle to bee a Squire to a Knight Errant, then to serve a rich Husbandman; for indeed, wee that serve Hus∣bandmen, though wee labour never so much in the day time, if the worst come to the worst, at night wee sup with the Pottage-pot, and lye in a bed, which I have not done ever since I served you, except it were that short time wee were at Don Diego de Miranda's house, and after when I had the cheere of the skimmings of Camacho's pots, and when I ate and drunke and slept at Basilius his house; all the rest hath been up∣on the cold ground, to the open ayre, and subject, as you would say, to the inclemen∣cies of the Heavens, onely living upon bits of cheese, and scraps of bread, and drink∣ing water, sometimes of brookes, sometimes of Springs, which wee met withall by the waies wee went.

I confesse, Sancho, (quoth Don-Quixote) that all thou sayest may bee true;

how much more thinkest thou should I give thee then Tomè Carrasco?

You shall please me (quoth Sancho) with twelve pence more a moneth, and that concerning my wages for my service: but touching your word and promise you gave me, That I should have the Government of an Island, it were fit you added the t'other three shillings, which in all make up fifteen.

It is very well (said Don Quixote) and according to the wages that you have allotted unto your self, it is now twenty five dayes since our last sallie; reckon Sancho, so much for so much, and see how much is due to you, and pay your self, as I have bidden you.

Body of mee (said Sancho) you are clean out of the reckoning; for to••••hing the promise of governing the Island, you must reckon from the time you promised, till this present. Why, how long is it (quoth hee) since I promised it? If I bee not forgetfull (said Sancho) it is now some twenty yeers wanting two or three dayes. Don-Quixote gave himself a good clap on the fore-head, and began to laugh heartily, saying; Why, my being about Sierra Morena, and our whole travells were in lesse then two moneths, and doest thou say it was twenty yeers since I promised thee the Island? I am now of opinion, that thou wouldest have all the money thou hast of mine consumed in paying thee wages: which if it bee so, and that thou art so minded, from hence forward take it, much good may it doe thee; for so I may not bee troubled with such a Squire, I shall bee glad to bee poor, and without a farthing. But tell me thou Prevaricator of the Squirely Laws of Knight Errantry; where hast thou ever seen or read of any Squire belonging to Knight Errant, that hath capitulated with his Master to give him thus much or so much: Lanch, lanch, thou base lewd fellow, thou Hobgoblin; Lanch, I say, into the Mare magnum of their Histories; and if thou finde that any Squire have said, or so much as imagined what thou hast said, I will give thee leave to brand my fore∣head; and to boot, to seal me with four tucks in the mouth: [A trick to give a tuck with the thumbe upon ones lips, as fresh men are used in a Vniversitie:] Turne thy reins or thine Asses halter, and get thee to thine house; for thou shalt not goe a step fur∣ther with me. Oh ill given bread, and ill placed promises! Oh man, more beast then man! now when I thought to have put thee into a fortune, and such a one, that, in spight of thy wife, thou shouldest have been stiled My Lord: Thou leavest me: now doest thou goe, when I had a purpose to have made thee Lord of the best Island in the world. Well, well, as thou thy self hast said many times, The hony is not for the Asses mouth; An Asse thou art, an Asse thou wilt bee, and an Asse thou shalt die, and till then wilt thou remain so, before thou fallest into the reckoning that thou art a Beast.

Sancho beheld Don Quixote earnestly all the while hee thus rated him, and was so moved that the teares stood in his eyes, and with a dolorous low voyce hee said; Ma∣ster mine, I confesse, that to be altogether an Asse, I want nothing but a taile; if you will put one on me, I will bee contented, and will serve you like an Asse all dayes of my life. Pardon me Sir, and pittie my youth, and consider my folly; for if I speak much, it proceeds rather out of simplicity then knavery: Who erres and mends, to God himself commends.

I would bee sorry, little Sancho (quoth Don-Quixote) but that thou shouldest min∣gle some by-pretty Proverb in thy Dialogue. Well, I'le pardon thee for this once, upon condition hereafter thou mend; and shew not thy self so covetous, but that thou rouze up thy Spirits, and encourage thy self with hope of the accomplishment of my promise; for better late then not at all. Sancho answered him, hee would, though it were to make a virtue of necessity.

Hereupon they put into the Elme-Grove, and Don-Quixote got to the foot of an Elme, and Sancho to the foot of a Beech; for these kinde of Trees and such like have alwaies feet, but no hands. Sancho had an ill night on it; for his Bat blow made him more sensible in the cold. Don-Quixote fell into his usuall imaginations; yet they both slept, and by day-peep they were on their way, searching after the famous banks of Heber, where they hapned upon what shall bee told in the ensuing Chapter.