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

CHAP. XXVI.

Of the delightfull Passage of the Puppet-play, and other pleasant matters.

HERE Tyrians and Troyans were all silent, I meane all the Spectators of the Motion had their eares hanged upon the Interpreters mouth, that should declare the wonders; by and by there was a great sound of Kettle-Drums and Trumpets, and a volly of great-shot within the Motion, which passing away briefly, the Boy began to rayse his voice and to say. This true History which is here represented to you, is taken word for out of the French Chronicles, and the Spa∣nish Romants, which are in every bodies mouth, and sung by Boyes up and downe the

streets. It treats of the liberty that Signior Don Gayferos gave to Melisendra his wife, that was imprisoned by the Moores in Spayne, in the City of Sansuena, which was then so called, and now Saragosa; and look you there, how Don Gayseros is playing at Ta∣bles, according to the Song;

Now Don Gayferos at Tables doth play, Vnmindfull of Melisendra away.

And that Personage that peeps out there with a Crowne on his head and a Scepter in his hand, is the Emperor Charlemain, the supposed father of the said Melisendra, who grieved with the sloth and neglect of his sonne in Law, comes to chide him; and marke with what vehemency and earnestnesse he rates him, as if he meant to give him halfe a dozen Cons with his Scepter; some Authors there be that say he did, and sound ones too: and after he had told him many things concerning the danger of his reputation, if he did not free his Spouse, 'twas said he told him, I have said enough, look to it. Look ye Sir, a∣gain, how the Emperor turns his back, and in what case he leaves Don Gayferos, who all enraged, flings the Tables and the table-men from him, and hastily calls for his Armour, and borrowes his Cosin-Germane Roldan his sword Durindana; who offers him his company in this difficult enterprize. But the valorous enraged Knight would not ac∣cept it, saying; that he is sufficient to free his Spouse, though she were put in the deepe centre of the earth, and now he goes in to Arm himself for his Journey.

Now turne your eyes to yonder Towre that appeares, for you must suppose it is one of the Towres of the Castle of Saragosa, which is now called the Aliaferia, and that La∣dy that appeares in the window, clad in a Moorish habit, is the peerlesse Melisendra, that many a time lookes toward France, thinking on Paris and her Spouse, the only comfort in her imprisonment. Behold also a strange accident now that happens, per∣haps never the like seen: see you not that Moore that comes faire and softly, with his finger in his mouth, behinde Melisendra? look what a smack he gives her in the midst of her lippes, and how sodainly she begins to spit, and to wipe them with her white smock-sleeves, and how she laments, and for very anguish despighteously rootes vp her faire hayres, as if they were to blame for this wickednesse. Marke you also that grave Moor that stands in that open Gallery, it is Marsilius King of Sansueuna, who when he saw the Moores saw cinesse, although he were a kinsman, and a great favorite of his, he commanded him straight to be apprehended, and to have two hundred stripes given him, and to be carried through the chiefe streetes in the Citie, with Minstrels before, and rods of Justice behinde; and looke ye how the Sentence is put in execution before the fault be scarce committed; for your Moores use not (as we doe) any legall procee∣ding. Childe, childe (cried Don-Quixote aloud) on with your story in a direct line, and fall not into your crookes and your transversals; for to verifie a thing I tell you there had neede to bee a Legall proceeding. Then Master Peter too said from within; Boy, fall not you to your flourishes, but doe as that Gentleman com∣mands you, which is the best course; sing you your playne-Song, and meddle not with the Treble, lest you cause the strings break. I will Master (said the Boy) and proceeded saying:

Hee that you see there (quoth hee) on Horsebacke, claddo in a Gascoyne Cloake, is Don Gayferos himselfe, to whom his Wife (now revenged on the Moore for his boldnesse) shews her selfe from the Battlements of the Castle, taking him to bee some Passenger, with whom shee passed all the Discourse mentioned in the Ro∣mant, that sayes:

Friend, if toward France you goe, Aske if Gayferos be there or no.

The rest I omit, for all prolixitie is irksome, 'tis sufficient that you see there how Don Gayferos discovers himselfe, and by Melisendraes jocund behaviour, wee may ima∣gine

shee knows him, and the rather because now wee see shee lets her self down from a bay-window to ride away behinde her good Spouse: but alas I unhappie creature, one of the skirts of her Kirtle hath caught upon one of the iron barrs of the window, and shee hovers in the aire without possibilitie of comming to the ground: but see how pittifull Heavens relieve her in her greatest necessitie; for Don Gayferos comes, and without any care of her rich Kirtle, layes hold of it, and forcibly brings her down with him, and at one hoist sets her astride upon his horses crupper, and commands her to sit fast, and clap her armes about him, that shee fall not; for Melisendra was not used to that kinde of riding, Look you how the Horse by his neighing shews that hee is proud with the burden of his valiant Master and fair Mistris: Look how they turn their backs to the Citie and merrily take their way toward Paris. Peace bee with you, O peerlesse couple of true Lovers; safely may you arrive at your de∣sired Country, without Fortunes hindring your prosperous voyage: may your Friends and Kindred see you enjoy the rest of your yeers (as many as Nestors) peaceably.

Here Master Peter cryed out aloud again, saying; Plainnesse, good Boy, doe not you soare so high, this affectation is scurvy. The Interpeter answered nothing, but went on, saying, There wanted not some idle spectators that pry into every thing, who saw the going down of Melisendra, and gave Marsilius notice of it, who straight command∣ed to sound an Alarm; and now behold how fast the Citie even sinks again with the noyse of Bels that sound in the high, Towres of the Mesquits: [Mesquitas, Moorish Churches.]

There you are out Boy (said Don-Quixote) and Master Peter is very improper in his Bells; for amongst Moores you have no Bells, but Kettle-drums, and a kinde of Shaulmes that bee like our Waits; so that your sounding of Bells in Sansuenna is a most idle fopperie. Stand not upon trifles Signior Don-Quixote (said Master Peter) and so strictly upon every thing, for we shall not know how to please you: Have you not a thousand Comedies ordinarily represented; as full of incongruities and absurdities, and yet they runne their Career happily, and are heard not only with applause, but great admiration also? On boy say on, & so I fill my purse, let there be as many impro∣prieties as moats in the Sunne. You are in the right (quoth Don-Quixote) and the Boy proceeded.

Look what a companie of gallant Knights goe out of the Citie in pursuit of the Cotholike Lovers, how many Trumpets sound, how many Shaulmes play, how many Drummes and Kettles make a noyse; I fear me they will over-take them, and bring them back both bound to the same Horses tayle; which would bee a horrible spectacle.

Don Quixote seeing and hearing such a deale of Moorisme and such a coyle, hee thought fit to succour those that fled: So standing up, with a loud voyce hee cryed out; I will never consent while I live, that in my presence such an outrage as this bee offered to so valiant, and to so amorous a bold Knight as Don Gayferos: Stay, you base Scoundrels, doe not yee follow or persecute him; if you doe, you must first wage warre with me: So doing and speaking, hee unsheathed his Sword, and at one frisk hee got to the Motion, and with an unseen and posting furie, hee began to rain strokes upon the Puppetish Moorisme, overthrowing some, and behading others, maiming this, and cutting in pieces that; and amongst many other blows, he fetched one so down right, that had not Master Peter tumbled and squatted down, hee had clipped his Mazard as easily as if it had been made of March-pane. Master Peter cryed out, say∣ing; Hold Signior Don Quixote, hold; and know that these you hurl down, destroy, and kill, are not reall Moors, but shapes made of Paste-board: Look you, look yee now (wretch that I am) hee spoyles all and undoes me. But for all this, Don-Quixote still multiplyed his flashes, doubling and redoubling his blows as thick as hops.

And in a word, in lesse then two Credo's, hee cast down the whole Motion (all the tackling first cut to fitters, and all the Puppets) King Marsilius was sore wounded, and

the Emperour Charlemaine his head and crown were parted in two places: The Senate and Auditors were all in a hurry; And the Ape gat up to the top of the house, and so out at the window: The Scholler was frighted: The Page clean dastarded: And even Sancho himself was in a terrible perplexity; for (as hee sware after the Storm was past) hee never saw his Master so outragious.

The generall ruine of the Motion thus performed, Don-Quixote began to be some∣what pacified, and said; Now would I have all those here at this instant before me, that beleeve not how profitable Knights Errant are to the world; and had not I been now present, what (I marvell) would have become of Signior Don Gayferos and the fair Melisendra? I warrant e're this, those Doggs would have overtaken and shewed them some foul play: when all is done, long live Knight Errantry above all things living in the world.

Long live it on Gods name (said Master Peter) again with a pittifull voyce; and may I die, since I live to bee so unhappie, as to say with King Don Roarigo. Yesterday I was Lord of all Spain, but to day have not a Battlement I can call mine: [Don Ro∣drigo was the last King of the Goths that raigned in Spain, conquered by the Moors:] 'Tis not yet half an houre, scarce half a minute, that I was Master of Kings and Em∣perours; had my Stables, Coffers, and Bags full of Horses and Treasure; but now I am desolate, dejected and poor: and to add more affliction, without my Ape, that before I can catch him again, I am like to sweat for it, and all through the unconside∣rate furies of this Sir Knight, who is said to protect the Fatherlesse, to rectifie Wrongs, and to doe other Charitable works; but to me only this his generous intention hath been defective, I thank God for it: In fine, it could bee none but The Knight of the sorrowfull Countenance that discountenanced mee and mine. Sancho grew compassi∣onate to hear Master Peters lamentation, and said; Weep not, nor grieve Master Peter, for thou breakest my heart; and let me tell thee, that my Master Don-Quixote is so scrupulous and Catholike a Christian, that if hee fall into the reekoning, that hee have done thee any wrong, hee knows how, and will satisfie it with much advantage. If (said Master Peter) Signior Don-Quixote would but pay me for some part of the Pieces that hee hath spoyled, I should be contented, and his Worship might not be troubled in con∣science; for he that keeps that that is another mans, against the Owners will, and re∣stores it not, can hardly bee saved.

That's true (quoth Don-Quixote:) But hitherto, Master Peter, I know not whe∣ther I have detained ought of yours. No? not, said Master Peter? why these poor relikes that lie upon the hard and barren earth, who scattered and annihilated them but the invincible force of that powerfull arme? And whose were those bodies, but mine? And with whom did I maintain my self, but with them? Well, I now (said Don-Quixote) verily beleeve what I have done often, that the Enchanters that perse∣cute me, doe nothing but put shapes really as they are before mine eyes, and by and by truck and change them at their pleasure. Verily my Masters, you that heare me, I tell you, all that here passed seemed to me to bee really so, and immediately that that Me∣lisendra was Melisendra; Don Gayf••ros, Don Gayferos, and Marsilius, Marsilius; and Charlemain, Charlemain: And this was it that stirred up my choller; and to ac∣complish my Profession of Knight Errant; my meaning was to succour those that fled: and to this good purpose I did all that you have seen; which if it fell out unluckily, 'twas no fault of mine, but of my wicked persecutors: yet for all this errour (though it pro∣ceeded from no malice of mine) I my self will condemne my self in the charge; let Master Peter see what hee will have for the spoyled Pieces, and I will pay it all in pre∣sent currant coyne of Castile.

Master Peter made him a low leg, saying; I could expect no lesse from the unheard of Christianity of the most valorous Don-Quixote de la Mancha, the true Succourer and Bulwark of all those that bee in need and necessitie, or wandring Vagamunds; and now let the Venter and the Grand Sancho bee Arbitrators, and Price-setters between your Worship and me, and let them say what every torne Piece was worth. The Venter and Sancho both agreed: And by and by Master Peter reached up Marsilius King of

Saragosa headlesse, and said; You see how impossible it is for this Prince to returne to his first being, and therefore, saving your better judgements, I think fit to have for him two shillings and three-pence.

On then, quoth Don-Quixote. Then for this (quoth Master Peter) that is parted from head to foote, taking the Emperour Charlemain up, I thinke two shillings seven∣pence half-penny is little enough, Not very little quoth Sancho. Nor much said the Venter; but moderate the bargaine, and let him have halfe a crowne. Let him have his full asking (said Don-Quixote) for, for such a mishap as this, wee'l nere stand upon three half-pence more or lesse, & make an end quickly Master Peter; for it is neer supper∣time, and I have certain suspicions that I shall eat. For this Puppet said M. Peter, with∣out a nose, and an eye wanting, of the fair Melisendra, I aske but in Justice fourteene pence half-penny.

Nay, the Devil's in it (sayd Don-Quixote) if Melisendra bee not now in France, or upon the borders, at least, with her Husband; for the horse they rode on, to my seeming, rather flew then ran; and therefore sell not mee a Cat for a Coney, presen∣ting mee here Melisendra nose lesse, when shee (if the time require it) is wantonly solacing with her Husband in France: God give each man his owne, Master Peter, let us have plaine dealing; and so proceed. Master Peter, that saw Don-Quixote in a wrong vaine, and that hee returned to his olde Theame thought yet hee should not escape him, and so replied; Indeede this should not bee Melisendra, now I think on't; but some one of the Damzels that served her, so that five pence for her will con∣tent mee.

Thus hee went on prizing of other torne Puppets, which the Arbitrating Judges moderated to the satisfaction of both parties, and the whole prices of all were, twen∣ty one shillings and eleven pence, which when Sancho had disbursed, Master Peter demanded over and above twelve-pence for his labour, to looke the Ape. Give it him Sancho (said Don-Quixote) not to catch his Ape, but a Monkey; [As w••s say, To catch a Fox;] and I would give five pound for a reward, to any body that would certainly tell mee, that the Lady Melisendra and Don Gayferos were safely arrived in France, amongst their owne people.

None can better tell then my Ape (said Master Peter) though the Devill himselfe will scarce catch him; yet I imagine, making much of him, and hunger, will force him to seeke mee to night, and by morning wee shall come together. Well, to con∣clude; the storme of the Motion passed, and all supped merrily, and like good fel∣lowes, at Don-Quixotes charge; who was liberall in extremity. Before day, the fel∣low with the Lances and Halberds was gone, and some-what after, the Scholler and the Page came to take leave of Don-Quixote, the one to returne homeward, and the other to prosecute his intended voyage, and for a releefe Don-Quixote gave him six shillings.

Master Peter would have no more to doe with him; for hee knew him too well. So hee got up before the Sunne, and gathering the relikes of the Motion together, and his Ape, hee betooke him to his Adventures. The Venter that knew not Don-Quixote, wondred as much at his liberality, as his madnesse. To conclude, Sancho payed him honestly, by his Masters order, and taking leave, about eight of the clocke they left the Vente, and went on their way, where wee must leave them; for so it is fit, that wee may come to other matters pertaining to the true declaration of this fa∣mous History.