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

CHAP. LXII.

The Adventure of the Enchanted head, with other flim-flams that must be recounted.

DOn-Quixotes Hosts name was Don Antonio Morino, a rich Gentle∣man and a discreet, and one that loved to bee honestly and affably merry; who having Don-Quixote now at home, began to invent how, without prejudice to him, he might divulge his madnesse; for Jests ought not to bee too bitter, nor pastimes in detriment of a third person.

The first thing hee did then, was to cause Don-Quixote to bee un∣armed, and to make him appear in that straight Chamois apparel of his (as heretofore wee have painted and described him:) so hee brought him to a Bay-window which looked toward one of the chiefest streets in the City, to bee publikely seen by all com∣mers, and the Boyes that beheld him as if hee had been a Monkey. They in the Liveries began a-fresh to fetch Careers before him, as if for him only (and not to solemnize that Festivall-day) their Liveries had been put on: And Sancho was most jocund, as think∣ing he had found out, hee knew not how nor which way, a new Camacho's marriage, or another house like Don Diego and Miranda's, or the Dukes Castle.

That day some of Don Antonio's friends dined with him, all honouring Don-Qui∣xote, and observing him as a Knight Errant; with which being most vain-glorious, hee could scarce contain himself in his happinesse. Sancho's conceits were such, and so many, that all the Servants of the house hung upon his lipps, and as many also as heard him.

Being at Table Don Antonio said to Sancho: Wee have heard here, honest Sancho, that thou lovest Leech and roasted Olives so well, that when thou canst eat no more, thou keepest the rest in thy bosome till another time. No Sir, '••is not so (said Sancho) for I am more cleanly then so, and my Master Don-Quixote here present knows well, that wee are wont both of us to live eight dayes with a handfull of Acorns or Walnuts•• true it is, that now I look not a given horse in the mouth (I mean) I eat what is given me, and make use of the time present; and whosoever hath said that I am an extraor∣dinarie eater, and not cleanly, let him know hee doth me wrong; and I should pro∣proceed farther, were it not for the company here at Table.

Truly (said Don-Quixote) the parsimony and cleanlinesse with which Sancho feeds, may bee written and graved in sheets of brass, that it may bee eternally remembred by ensuing Ages: True it is, that when hee is hungry, hee is somewhat Ravenous, eats a-pace, and chews on both sides; but for cleanliness, that hee hath punctually ob∣served: and when hee was a Governour, hee learnt to eat most neatly; for hee would eat you Grapes, nay, Pomgranat seeds with his fork. How (quoth Don Antonio) hath Sancho been a Governour? I (said Sancho) and of an Island called Barataria: ten dayes I governed to my will, in them I lost my rest, and learnt to contemn all the Governments in the world. From thence I came flying, and fell into a Pit, where I thought I should have dyed, from whence I escaped miraculously.

Don-Quixote recounted all the particulars of Sancho's Government, with which the hearers were much delighted. The cloth now taken away, and Don Antonio taking Don-Quixote by the hand, carried him into a private chamber, in which there was no other kinde of furniture but a Table that seemed to bee of Jasper, born up with feet of the same upon which there was set a Head, as if it had been of brasse, just as your Ro∣mane Emperours are used to bee, from the brest upward: Don Antonio walked with Don-Quixote up and down the chamber, and having gone a good many turns about the Table, at last hee said: Signior Don-Quixote, now that I am fully perswaded no body

heares us, and that the dore is fast, I will tell you one of the rarest Adventures, or ra∣ther Novelties, that can bee imagined; provided, that what I tell you, shall bee depo∣sited in the uttermost privy Chambers of secresie.

That I vow, said Don-Quixote: and for more safety, I will clap a Tombe-stone o∣ver it; for let mee tell you, Signior Don Antonio (for now hee knew his name) you converse with one, that though hee have eares to heare, yet he hath no tongue to tell: so that what is in your brest, you may freely translate it into mine, and rest assured, that you have flung it into the Abissus of silence.

In confidence of this promise (answered Don Antonio) I will make you admire at what you shall heare and see, and so you shall somewhat ease mee of the trouble I am in, in not finding one that I may communicate my secrets with; with which, every one is not to bee trusted.

Don-Quixote was in great suspence, expecting what would bee the issue of all these circumstances; so Don Antonio taking him by the hand, hee made him feele all over the brazen head and the Table, and Jasper feet, and then said, This head, Signior, was made by one of the greatest Enchanters or Magicians that hath beene in the world, and I beleeve, by Nation hee was a Polander, and one of that famous Scotus his disciples, of whom so many wonders are related, who was here in my house, and for a thousand Crownes I gave him, framed mee this head, that hath the property and quallity to an∣swer to any thing that it is asked in your eare: hee had his trickes and devices, his pain∣ting of Characters, his observing of Starres, look't to every tittle, and finally, brought this head to the perfection that to morrow you shall see, for on the Fridayes still it is mute, which being this day, wee must expect till to morrow; and so in the meane time you may bethinke you what you will demand; for I know by experience, this head answers truly to all that is asked.

Don-Quixote admired at the vertue and property of the head, and could scarce be∣leeve Don Antonio, but seeing how short a time there was to the triall, hee would not gain-say him, but thanked him for discovering so great a secret: So out of the roome they went: Don Antonio locked the dore after him, and they came into a Hall where the rest of the Gentlemen were: in this Interim, Sancho had related to them many of the Adventures and successes that befell his Master. That after-noone they carryed Don-Quixote abroad, not armed, but clad in the Citty garbe, with a loose coat of taw∣ny cloth, that in that season might have made frost it selfe sweat: they gave order to their servants to entertaine Sancho, and not let him stirre out of dores. Don-Quixote rode not upon Rozinante, but on a goodly trotting Mule, with good furniture, they put his coat upon him, and at his back (hee not perceiving it) they sowed a piece of Parch∣ment, wherein was written in Text letters, This is Don-Quixote de la Mancha: as they began their walke, the scrowle drew all mens eyes to looke on it, and as they read, This is Don-Quixote de la Mancha, hee admired to see what a number beheld and named him, and knew him; and turning to Don Antonio that went by him, said, Great is the Prerogative due to Knight Errantry, since over all the world, it makes its Pro∣fessors knowne and renowned; for looke you, Signior Don Antonio, even the very boyes of this Citty having never seene mee before, know mee. Tis true, Signior, quoth Don Antonio: for as fire cannot bee hidden nor bounded, no more can vertue but it must bee knowne; and that which is gotten by the Profession of Armes, doth most flourish and triumph above the rest.

It hapned, that Don-Quixote riding with this applause, a Castillian that read the scrowle at his backe, raised his voyce, saying. The Devill take thee for Don-Quixote de la Mancha: and art thou gotten hither without being killed with those infinite ba∣stings thou hast borne upon thy shoulders? Thou art a mad-man, and wert thou so in private, and within thy house 'twere lesse evill; but thy property is, to make all that converse or treat with thee, mad-men and Cox-combes, as may appeare by these that accompany thee: get thee home, Ideot, and looke to thy Estate, Wife, and Children, and leave these vanities that Worme eate thy braines, and defile thy Intellect. Bro∣ther, said Don Antonio, follow your way, and give no counsell to those that need it not,

Signior Don-Quixote is wise, and wee that doe accompaine him, are no fools: Virtue is worthy to bee honoured wheresoever shee is; and so bee gone with a pox to you, and meddle not where you have nothing to doe. I vow (quoth the Castilian) you have reason; for to give counsail to this man, is to strive against the stream: but for all that, it pitties me very much, that the good understanding they say this block-head hath in all things else, should be let out at the pipe of his Knight Erranty, and a pox light on me (as you wish Sir) and all my Posterity, if from hence-forward, though I should live to the yeers of Methusalem, I give consail to any, though it bee desired.

Thus the Counseller went by, and the shew went on: but the Boyes and all manner of people pressed so thick to read the scrowl, that Don-Antonio was forced to take it off from him, as if hee had done something else.

The night came on, and they returned home, where was a Revels of women; for Don Antonio's Wife, that was well-bred, mirthfull, fair, and discreet, invited other shee-friends of hers, to come and welcome her new Guest, and to make merry with his strange madnesse. Some of them came, and they had a Royall supper, and the Revels began about ten a clock at night. Among these Dames, there were two of a notable waggish disposition, and great scoffers; and though honest, yet they strained their car∣riage, that their tricks might the better delight without irksomenesse; these were so eager to take Don-Quixote out to Dance, that they wearied not only his body, but his minde likewise: 'twas a goodly sight to see his shape, long, lank, lean, his visage pale, the whole man shut up in his apparel, ungraceful & unweildy. The Damzels wooed him as it were by stealth, and he by stealth disdained them as fast: but seeing himself much pressed by their courtings, he lifed up his voyce, and said, Fugite partes adv••rsae, and leave me, oh unwelcome imaginations, to my quiet: Get you farther off with your wishes Ladies; for shee that is the Ladie of mine, the peerlesse Dulcinea del Toboso, will have none but hers subject and conquer me: and so saying, hee sate him down in the midest of the Hall upon the ground, bruised and broken with his dancing exercise. Don An∣tonio made him bee taken up in mens armes, and carried to Bed: the first that laid hold on him was Sancho, saying, In the name of God, what meant you, Master mine to Dance? Think you that all that are valiant, must bee Dancers? and all Knights Errant Skip∣jacks? I say, if you think so, you are deceived; you have some that will rather kill Gyants then fetch a caper: if you were to frisk, I would save you that labour; for I can doe it like a Ier-Falcon; but in your dancing, I cannot work a stitch.

With this, and such like discourse Sancho made the Revellers laugh, and laid his Ma∣ster to Bed, laying clothes enough on him, that hee might sweat out the cold hee had taken by dancing.

The next day Don Antonio thought fit to try the enchanted Head; and so, with Don Quixote, Sancho, and others his friends, and the two Gentlewomen that had so labour∣ed Don-Quixote in the Dance, that staid all night with Don Antonio's Wife, hee locked himself in the Room where the head was; hee told them its propertie, enjoyhing them to silence; and hee said to them, That this was the first time in which hee meant to make proof of the virtue of the Enchanted head, and, except his two friends, no living creature else knew the trick of that Enchantment; and if Don Antonio had not disco∣vered it to them, they also would have faln into the same admiration that the rest did; for it was not otherwise possible; the fabrick of it being so curious and cun∣ning.

The first that came to the Heads hearing, was Don Antonio himself, who spoke softly, but so that hee might be heard by all: Tell me Head, by the virtue that is contained in thee, What think I now? And the Head answered (not moving the lips, with a lowd and distinct voyce, that all the by-standers might hear this reason) I judge not of thoughts. Which when they all heard, they were astonisht, and the more, seeing neither in all the Roome, nor any where about the Table, there was not any humane creature to answer. How many here be there of us (quoth Don Antonio again?) And answer was made him in the same tenour voyce: There are thou and thy Wife, with two of thy hee-friends, and two of her shee-friends, and a famous Knight called Don-Quixote

de la Mancha, and a Squire of his that hight Sancho Panca. I marry Sir, here was the wondring a-fresh; here was every ones hair standing on end with pure horror! And Don Antonio getting him aside from the Head, said, 'Tis enough now for me to know that I was not deceived by him that sold thee me, sage Head, talking Head, answering Head, admired Head •• Come another now, and ask what hee will: and as your wo∣men for the most part are hastiest, and most inquisitive, the first that came, was one of Don Antonio's Wives friends, and her demand was this: Tell me Head, What shall I doe to make my self fair? The answer was, Bee honest. I have done, said shee. Straight came her other companion, and said, I would fain know Head, whether my Husband love me or no. And the answer was, Thou shalt know by his usage. The Married woman stood by, saying; The question might have been spared; for good usage is the best signe of affection. Then came one of Don Antonio's friends, and asked, Who am I? The answere was, Thou knowest. I aske thee not that, said the Gentleman, but whether thou know me? I doe, it was answered; Thou art Don Pedro Noris. No more, O Head •• let this suffice to make me know thou knowest all. And so stepping aside, the other friend came and asked, Tell me Head, What desires hath my eldest son? I have told you (it was answered) That I judge not of thoughts; yet let me tell you, your sonne desires to bury you: That (quoth the Gentleman) I know well, and dayly perceive: but I have done. Don Antonio's Wife came next, and said, Head, I know not what to ask thee, I would only fain know of thee, If I shall long enjoy my dear Husband. And the answer was, Thou shalt, for his health and spare dyet promise him many yeers, which many shorten by distempers.

Now came Don-Quixote, and said, Tell me, thou that answerest, Was it true or a dream, that (as I recount) befell me in Montesino's Cave? Shall Sancho my Squires whipping bee accomplisht? Shall Dulcinea bee dis-enchanted? For that of the Cave (quoth the Answerer) there is much to bee said; it partakes of all: Sancho's whip∣ping shall bee prolonged: but Dulcinea's dis-enchanting shall come to a reall end. I desire no more (said Don-Quixote) for so Dulcinea bee disenchanted, I make account all my good fortunes come upon me at a clap.

Sancho was the last Demander, and his question was this: Head, shall I haply have another Government? Shall I bee free from this penurious Squires life? Shall I see my Wife and Children again? To which it was answered him: In thy house thou shalt Govern; whither, if thou return, thou shalt see thy Wife and Children; and leaving thy Service, thou shalt leave being a Squire. Very good (quoth Sancho) this I could have told before, my self, and my Fathers Horse could have said no more. Beast (quoth Don-Quixote) what answer wouldest thou have? Is it not enough, that the answers this Head gives thee, are correspondent to thy questions? 'Tis true (said Sancho) but I would have known more.

And now the questions and answers were ended: but not the admiration, in which all remained, but Don Antonio's friends that knew the conceit. Which Cid Hamete Benehgeli would forthwith declare, not to hold the world in suspence, to think that some Witch or extraordinary mysterie was enclosed in the said Head: And thus saith hee, That Don Antonio Moreno, in imitation of another Head which hee saw in Ma∣drid, framed by a Carver, caused this to bee made in his house, to entertain the simple, and make them wonder at it; and the Fabrick was in this manner:

The Table it self was of wood, painted and varnished over like Jasper, and the foot, on which it stood, was of the same, with four Eagles claws standing out to uphold it the better.

The Head that shewed like the Medall, or picture of a Romane Emperour and of brasse colour, was all hollow, and so was the Table too; to which it was so cunningly joyned, that there was no appearance of it: the foot of the Table was likewise hollow, that answered to the brest and neck of the head: and all this answered to another Chamber, that was under the Room where the Head was: and thorow all this hol∣lownesse of the foot, the table, brest and neck of the Medall, there went a tinne pipe, made fit to them, that could not bee perceived.

Hee that was to Answere, set his Mouth to the Pipe, in the Chamber underneathe, Answering to this upper Roome; so that the Voice ascended and descended, as through a Trunke, so cleerely and distinctly, as it was hardly possible to make discovery of the juggling.

A Nephew of Don Antonio's, a Scholler, a good witty and discreet youth was the an∣swerer; who having notice from his Uncle of those that were to enter the Roome, it was easie for him to answer suddenly and punctually, to their first questions, and to the rest he answered by discreet conjectures.

Moreover Cid Hamete saies, that this marvelous Engine lasted for some ten or twelve daies; but when it was divulged up and downe the Citie, that Don Antonio had an Enchanted Head in his House that answered to all questions; fearing lest it should come to the notice of the waking Centinels of our Faith: Having acquainted those Inquisitors with the businesse, they commanded him to make away with it, lest it should scandalize the ignorant vulgar: But yet in Don-Quixote and Sanchoes opini∣on the Head was still Encha••ted and answering; but indeed not altogether so much to Sanchoes satisfaction.

The gallants of the City, to please Don Antonio, and for Don-Quixotes better ho∣spitalitie, and on purpose that his madnesse might make the more generall sport, ap∣pointed a runing at the Ring, about a sixe dayes after, which was broken off upon an occasion that after hapned.

Don-Quixote had a minde to walke round about the City on foote, fearing that if hee went •• Horsehack, the Boyes would persecute him: So hee and Sancho, with two servants of Don Antonioes went a walking. It happened, that as they passed through one Streete, Don-Quixote looked up and saw written upon a Doore in great Letters, Here are Bookes printed, which did please him very wonderfully, for till then hee had never seene any Presse; and hee much desired to know the man∣ner of it.

In he went with all his retinue, where he saw in one place drawing of sheets, in ano∣ther Correcting, in this Composing, in that mending: Finaly, all the Machine that is usuall in great Presses.

Don-Quixote came to one of the Boxes, and asked what they had in hand there? the workemen told him; he wondred and passed farther. To another he came, and asked one that was in it, what he was doing? The workman answered Sir, This Gen∣tleman you see (and he shewed him a good comely proper man and somewhat ancient) hath translated an Italian Booke into Spanish; and I am composing of it here to bee Printed.

What is the name of it (quoth Don-Quixote?) To which said the Author, Sir, it is called Le Bagatele, to wit, in Spanish, The Trifle, and though it beare but a mean name, yet it contains in it many great and substantiall matters.

I understand a little Italian, said Don Quixote, and dare venter upon a Stan∣zo of Ariostoes: But tell mee Signior mine (not that I would examine your skill, but only for Curiositie:) Have you ever found set downe in all your writing the word Pinnata? Yes, often quoth the Author; and how translate you it, said Don-Quixote.

How should I translate it said the Author, but in saying Potage pot? Body of me said Don-Quixote, and how forward are you in the Italian Idiome? Ile lay a good wager that where the Italian sayes, Piaccie, you translate it Please; and where Pin, you say more; and Su is above; and Giu, beneath.

Yes indeed doe I said the Author; for these be their proper significations.

I dare sweare (quoth Don-Quixote) you are not knowne to the world, which is alwaies backward in rewarding flourishing wits, and laudable industrie: Oh what a company of rare abilities are lost in the world! What witts cubbed up? What Vir∣tues contemned; but for all that mee thinkes, this translating from one language into another (except it be out of the Queenes of Tongues, Greeke and Latine) is just like looking upon the wrong side of Arras hangings; that although the Pictures bee seene,

yet they are full of thred-ends that darken them, and they are not seene with the plain∣nesse and smoothnesse, as on the other side; and the translating out of easie languages, argues neither wit, nor elocution, no more then doth the coppying from out of one Paper into another: yet I inferr not from this, that translating is not a laudable exercise: for a man may bee far worse employed, and in things lesse profitable.

I except amongst Translators our two famous ones: the one, Doctor Christoval de Figneroa in his Pastor fido, and the other, Don Iohn de Xaurigni, in his Amyntas, where they haply leave it doubtfull, which is the Translation or Originall. But tell mee, Sir, Print you this Book upon your owne charge, or sell you your licence to some Booke∣binder? Vpon mine owne, said the Author, and I thinke to get a thousand crownes by it at least, with this first impression: for there will bee two thousand Copies, and they will vent at three shillings apiece roundly.

You understand the matter well, said Don-Quixote: it seemes you know not the passages of Printers, and the correspondencies they have betwixt one and the other: I promise you, that when you have two thousand Copies lying by you, you'le bee so troubled, as passeth; and the rather, if the booke bee but a little dull, and not conceited all thorow.

Why, would you have mee (quoth the Author) let a Booke-seller have my Licence, that would give mee but a halfe-penny a Sheet, and that thinkes hee doth mee a kind∣nes in it too? I print not my workes to get fame in the world: for I am by them well known in it, I must have profit; for without that, fame is not worth a rush.

God send you good lucke, said Don-Quixote; so hee passed to another Box, where hee saw some correcting a sheet of a Book, Intituled, The light of the Soule: and in seeing it, hee said, Such Bookes as these (though there bee many of them) ought to bee imprinted: for there bee many sinners, and many lights are needfull, for so many bee darkned.

Hee went on, and saw them correcting another Booke; and enquiring the Title, they answered him, that it was called, The second part of the Ingenious Knight Don-Quixote de la Mancha, made by such a one, an Inhabitant of Tordesillas.

I have notice of this Book, said Don-Quixote, and in my conscience, I thought be∣fore now, it had beene burnt and turned to ashes for an idle Pamphlet: but it will not, like Hogs, want it's Saint Martin: [Against that Saints day is Hogs searing:] for your fained Histories are so much the more good and delightfull, by how much they come neere the truth, or the likenesse of it: and the true ones are so much the better, by how much the truer; and saying thus, with some shewes of distaste, hee left the Presse: and that very day Don Antonio purposed to carry him to the Gallies, that were in the Wharfe: at which Sancho much rejoyced; for hee had never in his life seene any.

Don Antonio gave notice to the Generall of the Gallies, that in the afternoone hee would bring his guest, the famous Don-Quixote de la Mancha, to see them: of whom all the Citty by this time had notice. And in the next Chapter, what hapned to him, shall bee declared.