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

CHAP. XXIV.

Where are recounted a thousand flim-flams, as impertinent as necessary to the understanding of this famous History.

THe Translator of this famous Historie out of his Originall, written by Cid Hamete Benengeli, sayes; That when hee came to the last Chap∣ter going before, these words were written in the margin by the same Hamete. I cannot beleeve or bee perswaded that all that is written in the antecedent Chapter hapned so punctually to the valorous Don-Quixote: the reason is, because all Adventures hitherto have been accidentall and probable; but this of the Cave, I see no likelihood of the truth of it, as being so unreasonable: Yet to think Don-Quixote would lye, being the worthiest Gentleman, and noblest Knight of his time, is not possible; for hee would not lye though hee were shot to death with arrows. On the other side I consider, that hee related it, with all the aforesaid circumstances, and that in so short a time hee could not frame such a Machina of fopperies; and if this Adventure seem to bee Apocrypha, the fault is not mine; so that leaving it indifferent, I here set it down. Thou, Oh Reader, as thou art wise, judge as thou thinkest good; for I can doe no more; though one thing bee certain, that when hee was upon his death-bed, hee disclaimed this Ad∣venture, and said, That hee had only invented it, because it suted with such as hee had read of in his Histories: so hee proceeds, saying:

The Scholler wondred, as well at Sancho's boldnesse as his Masters patience; but hee thought, that by reason of the joy that hee received in having seen his Mistris Dulcinea (though enchanted) that softnesse of condition grew upon him; for had it been other∣wise, Sancho spoke words that might have grinded him to powder; for in his opinion hee was somewhat sawcy with his Master, to whom hee said:

Signior Don-Quixote, I think the journey that I have made with you very well im∣ploy'd, because in it I have stored up four things: The first is, the having known your self, which I esteem as a great happinesse: The second, to have known the secrets of this Montesinos Cave, with the transformations of Guadiana and Ruydera's Lakes, which may help me in my Spanish Ovid I have in hand: The third is, to know the an∣tiquity of Card-playing, which was used at least in time of the Emperour Charles the Great, as may bee collected out of the words you say Durandarte used, when, after a long speech between him and Montesinos, hee awakened saying, Patience and shuffle: and this kinde of speaking hee could not learn when hee was Enchanted, but when hee lived in France, in time of the aforesaid Emperour: and this observation comes in pudding time for the other Book that I am making, which is, My supply to Polydore Vergil in the invention of Antiquities, and I believe in his hee left out Cards which I will put in, as a matter of great importance, especially having so authentike an Authour as Signior Durandarte. The fourth is, to have known for a cer∣tain the true spring of the River Guadiana, which hath hitherto beene con∣cealed.

You have reason (said Don-Quixote:) but I would fain know of you, now that it pleased God to give you abilities to print your Books, To whom will you direct them? You have Lords and Grandees [A name given to men of Title, as Dukes Marquisses, or Earls in Spain, whose only priviledge is to stand covered before the King,] in Spain (said the Scholler) to whom I may direct them. Few of them (said Don-Quixote) not

because they doe not deserve the Dedications, but because they will not admit of them, not to obliege themselves to the satisfaction that is due to the Authours Paines and Courtesie. One Prince I knowe that may supply the deserts of the rest, with such advantage, that should I speake of it; it might stirre up envie in some no∣ble Breasts: But let this rest till some fit time, and let us looke out where wee may lodge to night.

Not farre from hence (said the Scholer) there is a Hermitage, where dwels a Her∣mite that they say hath beene a Souldier, and is thought to bee a good Christian, and very discreete and charitable. Besides the Hermitage, he hath a little House which hee hath built at his owne charge; yet though it bee little, it is fit to receive guests. Hath hee any Hens trow, said Sancho? Few Hermits are without them, quoth Don-Quixote, for your Hermites now a dayes, are not like those that lived in the Desarts of Aegypt, that were clad in Palme-leaves, and lived upon the rootes of the Earth, but mistake me not, that because I speak well of them, I should speak ill of these, only the penetency of these times comes not neere those; yet for ought I know, all are good, at least I think so, and if the worst come to the worst, your Hypocrite that fains himself good, doth lesse hurt then he that sins in publique.

As they were thus talking, they might espy a Foot-man comming towards them, go∣ing a pace, and beating with his wand a hee-Mule laden with Lances & Halberts; when he came neere them, he saluted them and passed on; but Don-Quixote said to him; honest fellow stay, for mee thinks you make your Mule goe faster then needes. I cannot stay Sir, said he, because these weapons that you see I carry, must be used to morrow Mor∣ning, so I must needs goe on my way, Farewell: But if you will know why I carry them, I shall lodge to night in the Vente above the Hermitage, [Ventes places in Spain, in barren unpeopled parts for lodging, like our beggerly Alehouses upon the high-waies,] and if you goe that way, there you shall have mee, and I will tell you wonders; and so once more, Farewell. So the Mule pricked on so fast; that Don Quixote had no lei∣sure to aske him what wonders they were; and as hee was curious, and alwaies desirous of novelties, hee tooke order that they should presently goe and passe that night in the Vente, without touching at the Hermitage, where the Scholer would have stayed that night.

So all three of them mounted, went toward the Vente, whither they reached some∣what before it grew darke, and the Scholer invited Don-Quixote to drinke a sup by the way at the Hermitage; which as soone as Sancho heard, hee made haste with Dapple, as did Don-Quixote and the Scholer likewise: but as Sanchoes ill-luck would have it, the Hermite was not at home, as was told them by the under-Hermit; they asked him whe∣ther hee had any of the deerer sort of wine? who answered, his Master had none; but if they would have any cheape water, hee would give it them with a good will. If my thirst would be quench'd with water, we might have had Wels to drinke at by the way. Ah Camachoes marriage, and Don Diegoes plenty, how oft shall I misse you? Now they left the Hermitage, and spurred toward the Vente, and a little before them, they overtooke a youth that went not very fast before them; so they overtooke him: he had a sword upon his shoulder, and upon it, as it seemed, a bundle of cloathes, as breeches and cloake, and a shirt; for hee wore a velvet jerkin that had some kinde of remainder of Sattin, and his shirt hung out, his stockins were of silke, and his shooes square at toe, after the Court fashion, he was about eighteene yeeres of age, and active of body to see to; to passe the tediousnesse of the way, he went singing short peeces of Songs, and as they came neer him he made an end of one, which the Scholer (they say learnt by heart) and it was this:

To the Warres I goe for necessitie, At home would I tarry if I had Monie.

Don-Quixote was the first that spoke to him, saying; You goe very naked, Sir Gal∣lant, And whither a Gods-name? Let's know, if it be your pleasure to tell us? To

which the Youth answered, Heat and Poverty are the causes that I walke so light, and my journey is to the Wars. Why for poverty (quoth Don-Quixote) for heat it may well be, Sir said the Youth, I carry in this bundle a payre of slops, fellowes to this Jer∣kin, if I weare um by the way, I shall doe my self no credit with them when I come to any Town, and I have no money to buy others with, so as well for this, as to aire my selfe, I goe till I can overtake certaine Companies of Foote, which are not above twelve leagues from hence, where I shall get mee a place, and shall not want carriages to travell in, till I come to our imbarking place, which they say, must bee in Cartagina, and I had rather have the King to my Master, and serve him, then any beggerly-Courtier. And, pray tell mee, have you any extraordinary pay, said the Scholer.

Had I served any Grandee, or man of qualitie (said the Youth) no doubt I should; for that comes by your serving good Masters, that out of the Scullary men come to bee Livetenants or Captaines, or to have some good pay: but I alwaies had the ill-luck to serve your shag-rags and up-starts, whose alowance was so bare and short, that one halfe of it still was spent in starching me a Ruffe, and it is a miracle, that one ventring Page amongst a hundred, should ever get any reasonable Fortune. But tell mee friend quoth Don-Quixote, is it possible, that in all the time you served, you never got a Li∣very? Two said the Page: but as he that goes out of a Monastery, before he professeth hath his habit taken from him, and his clothes given him back; so my Masters returned me mine, when they had ended their businesses, for which they came to the Court, and returned to their own homes, and with-held their Liveries which they had only shewed for ostentation.

A notable Espilooherio [Cullionry,] as saith your Italian (quoth Don-Quixote) for all that, thinke your selfe happy that you are come from the Court, with so good an intention, for there is nothing in the world better, nor more profitable•• then to serve God first, and next your Prince and naturall Master, especially in the practise of Armes, by which, if not more wealth, yet at least, more honour is obtained then by Learning: as I have said many times; That though Learning hath raysed more Houses then Armes, yet your Sword-men have a kinde of (I know not what) advantage above Scholers, with a kind of splendor, that doth advantage them over all.

And beare in your minde what I shall now tell you, which shall bee much for your good and much lighten you in your travells, that is, not to think upon adversity; for the worst that can come is death, which if it be a good death, the best fortune of all is to die. Iulius Caesar that brave Romane Emperour, being asked, Which was the best death? answered, A suddain one, and unthought of; and though hee answered like a Gentile, and void of the knowledge of the true God, yet hee said well to save humane feeling a labour; for say you should bee slain in the first skirmish, either with Canon shot, or blown up with a mine, what matter is it? All is but dying, and there's an end: And as Terence sayes, A Souldier slain in the Field, shews better then alive and safe in flight; and so much the more famous is a good Souldier, by how much hee obeyes his Captains, and those that may command him; and mark childe, it is better for a Soul∣dier to smell of his Gun-powder then of Civet: and when old age comes upon you in this honourable exercise, though you bee full of scars, maimed, or lame, at least you shall not bee without honour, which poverty cannot diminish: and besides, there is order taken now, That old and maimed Souldiers may bee relieved; neither are they dealt withall like those mens Negars, that when they are old and can doe their Masters no service, they (under colour of making them free) turn them out of doors and make themslaves to hunger, from which nothing can free them but death: [Hee describes the right subtil and cruel nature of his damned Country-men:] and for this time I will say no more to you, but only get up behinde me till you come to the Vente, and there you shall sup with me, and to morrow take your Journey, which God speed as your desires deserve.

The Page accepted not of his invitement, to ride behinde him; but for the sup∣per hee did: And at this season (they say) Sancho sayd to himselfe; Lord defend thee,

Master; And is it possible, that a man that knowes to speake such, so many, and so good things (as hee hath sayd here) should say hee hath seene such impossible foole∣ries, as hee hath told us of Montesino's Cave. Well, wee shall see what will become of it. And by this they came to the Vente just as it was night, for which Sancho was glad, because too his Master took it to bee a true Vente, and not•• Castle, as hee was wont. They were no sooner entred, when Don Quixote asked the Venter for the man with the Lances and Halberds: [Ventero, the Master of the Vente:] who answered him, Hee was in the stable looking to his Moyle: Sancho and the Scholler did the same to their Asses, giving Don-Quixotes Rozinante the best manger and roome in the stable.