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

CHAP. XXXVII.

Of the prosecution of the famous Adventure of the Afflicted Matron.

THe Duke and Duchesse were extreamly glad to see how well Don-Quixote satisfied their intentions: And then Sancho said, I should bee loth this Mistris Matron should lay any stumbling block in the promise of my Government; for I have heard a To∣ledo Apothecary say (and hee spoke like a Bull-fin••h) that where these kinde of women were intermedling, there could no good follow: [Duennas: Here Sancho takes Duenna in the former sence, for an old Waiting-woman.] Lord, what an enemy that Apothecary was to them! for since all your Matrons, of what condition or quality so∣ever they bee, are irksome and foolish; what kinde of ones shall your afflicted bee? as this Countesse* Three skirts, or Three tailes; for tails and skirts, all is one: [* Allu∣ding to the name Trifaldi, as if shee had been called tres faldes, which fignifies three skirts; and this was his mistake.]

Peace, friend Sancho, quoth Don-Quixote; for since this Matron-Lady comes from so remote parts to seek me, shee is none of those that the Apothecary hath in his bed-roll: Besides, this is a Countesse; and when your Countesses are Waiting-women, 'tis either to Queens or Empresses, who in their houses are most absolute, and are served by other Wayting-women. To this, quoth Donna Rod••iguez, that was present, My Lady the Duchesse hath women in her service that might have beene Coun∣tesses, if Fortune had been pleased: but the weakest goe to the walls, and let no man speak ill of Waiting-women, and especially of ancient Maids; for although I am none, yet I well and cleerly perceive the advantage, that your Mayden Wayting-women have over Widdow-women, and one pair of sheers went between us both.

For all that (quoth Sancho) there is so much to bee sheered in your Waiting-women

(according to mine Apothecary) that, The more you stirre this businesse, the more it will stink. Alwayes these Squires (quoth Donna Rodriguez) are malicious against us; for, as they are Faries that haunt the out-rooms, and every foot spy us, the times that they are not at their devotions (which are many) they spend in back-biting us, undig∣ging our bones, and burying our reputation. Well, let me tell these mooving Blocks that in spite of them, wee will live in the world and in houses of good fashion, though wee starve for it, or cover our delicate or not delicate flesh with a black Monks weed, as if wee were old walls covered with Tapistry, at the passing of a Procession. I'faith if I had time and leisure enough, I would make all that are present know, that there is no virtue, but is contained in a Waiting-woman. I beleeve (said the Duchesse) my honest Donna Rodriguez is in the right; but shee must stay for a fit time to answer for her self and the rest of Waiting-women, to confound the Apothecaries ill opinion, and to root it out altogether from Sancho's brest. To which (quoth Sancho) since the Go∣vernourship smoaks in my head, all Squirely sumes are gone out, and I care not a wilde∣fig for all your Waiting-women.

Forward they had gone with this Wayting-woman discourse, had they not heard the Drum and Fife play, whereby they knew that the afflicted Matron was entring: the Duchesse askt the Duke if they should meet her, since shee was a Countesse and no∣ble personage. For her Counteship (quoth Sancho, before the Duke could answer) I like it that your Greatnesse meet her: but for her Matronship, that yee stirre not a foot. Who bids thee meddle with that Sancho, quoth Don Quixote? Who Sir (said hee?) I my self, that may meddle, that, as a Squire, have learnt the terms of courtesie in your Worships Schoole, that is the most courteous and best bred Knight in all Court∣ship; and as I have heard you say in these things, Better play a card too much then too little; and good wits will soon meet. 'Tis true as Sancho sayes (quoth the Duke) wee will see what kinde of Countesse shee is, and by that ghesse what courtesie is due to her. By this the Drum and Fife came in, as formerly: And here the Author ended this brief Chapter, beginning another, which continues the same Adventure, one of the notablest of all the History.