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

CHAP. XLVI.

Of the fearfull Low-Bell-Cally horrour, that Don-Quixote received in processe of his Love, by the enamoured Altisidora.

WEe left the Grand Don-Quixote enveloped in the imaginations, which the Musick of the enamoured Damzell Altisidora had caused in him: to bed hee went with them, and as if they had been Fleas, they gave him no rest or quiet, and to these were added those of his torn Stockings: but as time is swift and no stumbling block will stay him, hee went on horse-back on the hours, and the morning came on speedily: Which when Don-Quixote saw, hee left his soft bed, and nothing lazie, put on his Chamoize appa∣rell and his Boots, to hide the hole of his Stockings; hee cast his scarlet Mantle upon him, and put on his head his Hunters Cap of green velvet, laced with silver lace; his Belt hee hung at his shoulder, with his trusty cutting Blade; hee laid hold on a Rosary which hee used still to carrie with him: and with goodly representation and gate, hee went towards an out room, where the Duke and Duchesse were ready drest, and as it were, expecting him: And as hee was to passe thorow a Gallery, Altisidora and the other Damzell her friend, were greedily expecting him: and as soon as Alti∣sidora saw him, shee fained a swounding; and her friend got her into her lap, and in all haste went to unlace her.

Don-Quixote that saw it, comming neer them said, Now I know from whence these fits proceed.

I know not from whence (said her friend) for Altisidora is the healthiest Damzell in all this house, and I never perceived so much as a sigh from her since I have known her: a mischief on all Knights Errant in the world, if all bee so ungratefull: pray Signior Don-Quixote, get you gone; for as long as you are here, this poor Wench will not come to her self.

To which said Don-Quixote, Get me, Mistris, a Lute into my Chamber soon at night, and I'le comfort this afflicted Damzell as well as I can: for in amorous begin∣nings plain dealing is the most approved remedy; so hee went away, because they that passed by should not note or observe him: hee was no sooner gone, when the dismayed Altisidora comming to her self, said to her companion: By all means let him have the Lute; for undoubtedly Don-Quixote will give us Musick, and being his, it cannot bee bad.

Straight they went to let the Duchesse know what passed, and of the Lute that Don-Quixote required: and shee jocund above measure, plotted with the Duke and her Damzells, to play a trick with him that should bee more pleasant then hurtfull; and so with much longing they expected till it should bee night, which came on speedily as the day had done, which the Dukes passed in savory discourse with Don-Quixote: and that day the Duchesse indeed dispatcht a Page of hers, that in the wood acted the en∣chanted Dulcinea's part, to Teresa Panca with her Husband Sancho's Letter, and with the bundle of stuff that hee had left to bee sent her, charging him to bring her a true re∣lation of all that he passed with her.

This done, and it growing towards eleven of the clock at night, Don-Quixote found a Voyall in his Chamber: hee tuned it, opened the window, and heard people walk in the Garden, and having runne over the frets of the Violl, and ordering it as well as hee could, hee spit and cleared his breast, and straight with a voyce somewhat hoarceish, though tunable, hee sung the ensuing Romant, which the same day hee had com∣posed.

a 1.1 THE powerfull force of Love Oft doth un hinge the Soule, Taking for his Instrument Ever carelesse idlenesse.

To use to sow and worke, And to be ever occupi'd, Is the only Antidote 'Gainst the poyson of Loves griefs,

Damozels that live retir'd, With desire of Marriage, Honesty their portion is, And the Trumpet of their praise.

They that Knights Errant be, They that in Court doe live, Court the looser sort of Maids, And the honest make their Wives.

Some Loves are of the East, Loves that are held with Hostesses, That straight set in the West, End when the parting is.

The Love that new come is, Comes to day, to morrow parts, Never leaves the Images, In the Soules imprinted well.

Picture upon Picture drawn, Shews not well, nay leaves no draught•• Where a former beauty is, Second needs must lose the trick.

Painted, Dulcinea, I, Del Toboso, so well have In smoothe Tablet of my Soule, That there's nought can blot her out.

Constancie in Lovers is The part most to bee esteem'd; For which love doth Miracles, And doth raise us up aloft.

Here Don-Quixote ended his Song, which was hearkned to by the Duke, Duchesse, Altisidora, and almost all the folke of the Castle; when suddaily from the top of an o∣pen Turret, there fell heavily down upon Don-Quixotes window, by the leting down of a cord, a great sack of Cats with little Low-bels tyed at their tayles, the noyse of which was so great, and the mewing of the Cats, that although the Dukes were the In∣venters of the Jest, yet they themselves were even afrighted, and Don-Quixote was ti∣morous and amazed; and such was his ill-luck, that two or three of the Cats got in at the window of his Cabin, and leaping up and down on every side, it seem'd to him that there were a Region of Devils in his Chamber; they put out the Candles that were bur∣ning there, and now they sought how to get out: the rising and falling of the Cord,

at which the Low-bells were hanged, ceased not; and most of the people in the Castle, that knew not the certaintie of the businesse, were astonisht.

Don-Quixote got him on his leggs, and laying hold on his sword, began to thrust and flash at the window, crying out aloud; Avaunt yee wicked Enchanters, avaunt yee haggish scum; for I am Don-Quixote de la Mancha, against whom your wicked plots cannot prevaile, or have any power: And turning to the Cats that were in his Cham∣ber, hee strook many blows at them; they got the Iron window, and there got out: but one of them that saw himself so baited with Don-Quixotes slashes, leapt upon his face, and with his nayles and teeth, laid hold on his nose with the paw. Don-Quixote roared out as loud as he could: Which when the Duke and Duchesse heard, and con∣sidering what it might bee, they ran up in all haste to his Chamber, and opening it with a Master key, they found the poor Knight striving with all his might to unroot the Cat from his face: they called for lights, and saw the unequall Combat: The Duke came to part the fray, and Don-Quixote cryed aloud; Let him alone; leave me hand to hand with this Devill, this Witch, this Enchanter; for I'le make him know the diffe∣rence betwixt mee and him; and who Don-Quixote de la Mancha is: But the Cat carelesse of these threats, purred and held fast.

But at length the Duke unloosed him, and flung him out of the window. Don-Quixotes face was sifted over, and his nose was not very sound; yet hee was very angry that they would not let him finish the battell, that was so long drawn out betwixt him and that cursed Enchanter. They made some oyle of Aparice to bee brought, and Altisidora her self, with her fair hands, bound up the wounds; and laying to the clothes shee told him in his eare, All these mis-haps befell thee, flinty Knight, for the sinne of thy hard-hearted obstinacy; and God grant that Sancho thy Squire may forget to whip himself, that they beloved Dulcinea may still bee enchanted, neither mayest thou enjoy her, or come to her bed, at least while I live, that adore thee.

To all this Don-Quixote answered not a word, but fetcht a deep sigh, and straight laid him down on his bed, thanking the Dukes for their courtesie; not for that hee was afraid of that Cattish-Low-Belly Enchanting crue; but that hee was perswaded of their good wills to come to retire him.

The Dukes left him to his rest, and went away sorrowfull for the ill successe of the jest; for they thought that Adventure would not have lighted so heavily on Don-Quixote, which cost him five dayes retirement and keeping his bed, where another Ad∣venture befell him, more pleasing then the former, which the Historian will not recount yet, because of repairing to Sancho Panca, that was very carefull and conceited in his Government.

Notes

• a 1.1

  These verses and the former of Alti∣sidora, are made to bee scurvy on pur∣pose by the Author, fitting the occasions and the subjects, so he observes neyther Verse nor Rime,