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

CHAP. LVI.

Of the unmercifull and never seene battell that passed betwixt Don-Quixote and the Lackey Tosilos, in defence of the Matron Don∣na-Rrodriguez Daughter.

THe Dukes repented them not of the jest that was put upon Sancho in the Government which they gave him; especially, because that very day their Steward came, and told them very punctu∣ally all the words and actions, that Sancho both did and said in that time: and finally, so describ'd the assault of the Island, and so set out Sancho's feare, and sallie, that they received no small delight.

After this, the History tels us, that the day of the prefixed battaile came, and the Duke having oft instructed his Lackey Tosilos how hee should behave himselfe with Don-Quixote to overcome him, without killing or wounding him: hee gave order that their Pikes should bee taken from their Launces, telling Don-Quixote, that Christianitie (which hee preferred) permitted not, that that battell should bee with so much hazzard and danger of their lives: and that it was enough that hee granted him free. Lists in his Countrey, though it were against the Decree of the

holy Councell, that prohibites such challenges; yet hee would not put that matter so strictly in execution.

Don-Quixote bade his Excellency dispose of that businesse as hee pleased, and that hee would obey him in all.

The fearefull day being come, the Duke commanded that there should bee a spacious scaffold set up in the place where the Judges of the Lists might stand; and the Matron and her daughter the Plaintiffs.

There repaired a world of people, from all the townes, and neighbouring Villages, to see the noveltie of that battaile, who never saw, nor ever heard tell of the like in that Countrey; neither the living, nor those that where dead. The first that entred the field and Lists, was, the Master of the Ceremonies, who measured out the ground, and passed all over it, that there might bee no deceit, nor any hidden thing to make them stumble or fall: by and by the women entred, and sate downe in their seates, with their mantles over their eyes and brests, with shews of no small resenting; Don-Quixote present in the Lists.

A while after, the Grand Lackey Tosilos, appear'd on one side of the large place, ac∣companied with many Trumpets, and upon a lusty Courser, sinking the very ground under him: his Visor was drawn, and hee was all arraied in strong and shining Armor, his horse was Frizeland, well spred, of colour flea-bitten, each set-locke having nine and twenty pound of wooll upon it. The valiant Combatant came, well instructed by his Master, how hee should demeane himselfe with the valorous Don-Quixote de la Mancha, advertized that hee should by no meanes kill him, but that hee should strive to shunne the first encounter, to 'excuse the danger of his death which was certaine, if hee met him full butt. Hee paced over the place, and comming where the Matron was, hee stayd a while to behold her that demanded him for her husband. The Master of the Lists called Don-Quixote, that had now presented himselfe in the place, and toge∣ther with Tosilos: he spoke to the women, asking them, if they agreed that Don-Quixote de la Mancha should undertake their cause. They said, I, and that they allowed of all hee should in that case performe, for firm and available.

By this the Duke and Duchesse were set in a Gallery, which looked just to the Lists all which was covered with aboundance of people, that expected to see the rigorous trance never seene.

The conditions of the Combatant was, That if Don-Quixote overcame his Con∣trary, hee should marry with Donna Rodriguez daughter; and that if he were overcome, his Contendor was freed from his promise given, and not tyed to any satisfaction. The Master of the Ceremonies divided the Sunne betweene them, and set each of them in their places. The Drums strooke up, and the sound of Trumpets filled the ayre, the earth shooke under them, and the hearts of the spectator troope, were in suspence, some fearing, others expecting the good or ill succes••e of this matter.

Finally, Don-Quixote recommending himselfe heartily to God and his Mistris Dulcinea del Toboso, stood looking when the precise signe of the encounter should bee given: but our Lackey was in another mind, hee thought upon what now I will tell you It seemes, that as hee stood looking upon his enemy, shee seemed to him to bee the fairest, woman in the world, and the little blinde boy, whom up and downe the streets folk call Love, would not lose the occasion offered, to triumph upon a Lackeyan soule, & to put it in the list of his Trophies: and so comming to him, faire and softly, with∣out any body perceiving him, hee clapped a flight two yards long into his left side, and strooke his heart thorow and thorow, and hee might safely doe it; for love is invi∣sible, and goes in and out where hee 〈◊〉〈◊〉; no body asking him any account of his acti∣ons. Let mee tell you then, that when the signe of the on set was given, our Lackey was ••eamsported, thinking on the beauty of her that hee had made Mistris of his liberty, and so hee tooke no notice of the Trumpets sound, as did Don-Quixote, who scarce heard it, when hee set spurres, and with as full speed as Rozinant•• would permit, went against his enemy, and his good squire Sancho Panca, seeing him depart, cryed out a∣loud, God guide thee, Creame and Flower of Knights Errant, God give thee the vi∣ctory,

seeing thou hast right on thy side: And though Tosilus saw Don-Quixote come toward him, yet hee moved not a whit from his place, but rather aloude called the Master of the Lists, who comming to see what hee would have, To∣silos said.

Sir, doth not this Battell consist in my marrying or not marrying with that Gen∣tlewoman? Yes, it was answered him. Well then (quoth the Lackey) I am scru∣pulous of Conscience, which would much be burthened if this Battell should proceede: And therefore I say, I yeeld my self vanquished, and will marry this Gentlewoman presently.

The Master of the Lists wondred at Tosilos reasons; and as he was one of those that knew of the contriving that businesse, could not answere him a word.

Don-Quixote stopped in the middest of his Careere, seeing his Enemy met not.

The Duke knew nothing why the Combat should not goe forward; but the Master of the Lists went to tell him what Tosilos said, at which he was in suspence, and extrem∣ly chollerick.

Whilest this happened, Tosilos came where Donna Rodriguez was, and cried a∣loude, Mistresse, I will marry your Daughter, and therefore will never strive for that with Suites and Contentions, which I may have Peaceably, and without danger of Death.

The valorous Don-Quixote heard this, and said; Seeing 'tis so and that I am loosed and free from my promise, let them marry on Gods name, and since God hath given her him, S. Peter blesse her.

The Duke now came down into the Place, and coming to Tosilos said; Is it true, Knight, that you yield your selfe vanquished, and that instigated by your timorous Con∣science, you will marry that Maid? I Sir, quoth Tosilos.

He doth very well, quoth Sancho then, for that thou wouldst give the Mouse, give the Cat, and he will free thee from trouble.

Tosilos began now to unlace his Helmet, and desired them to helpe him apace, for his spirits and his breath failed him, and he could not endure to see himselfe so long shut up in that norrow Chamber. They undid it apace, and now the Lackies face was plainly dis∣covered. Which when Donna Rrdriguez and her Daughter saw, they cryed out saying; This is coozenage, this is coozenage: They have put Tosilos my Lord the Dukes Lackey in stead of our true Husband: Justice from God and the King, for such malice, not to say, villany.

Grieve not your selves Ladies, quoth Don-Quixote; for this is neyther malice nor villany, and if it bee, the Duke is not in fault, but vilde Enchanters that persecute mee; who envying that I should get the glory of this Conquest, have converted the face of your Husband into this, which you say is the Dukes Lackey: take my Councell, and in spight of the malice of my Enemies, marry him, for doubtlesse, tis he that you desire to have to Husband.

The Duke that heard this, was ready to burst all his choller into laughter, and said; The things that happen to Signior Don-Quixote are so extraordinary, that it makes mee beleeve this is not my Lackey; but let us use this sleight and device, let us defer the mar∣riage only one fifteen dayes, and keep this personage that holds us in doubt, locked up, in which perhaps he will return to his pristine shape; for the rancor that Enchanters beare Signior Don-Quixote, will not laste so long, they gayning so little by these coze∣nages and transformations they use.

O Sir, quoth Sancho, these wicked Elves doe usually change one thing into another in my Masters affaires: not long since they changed a Knight hee conquered, called The Knight of the Looking-glasses, into the shape of the Bachelor Samson Carrasco, borne in our town, and our speciall friend, and they turned my Mistrisse Dulcinea del Toboso into a Rustick Clowne: and so I imagine this Lackie will live and die so, all daies of his life.

To which (quoth Rodriguez Daughter) let him bee who hee will that demands mee to Wife (I thanke him) I had rather bee lawfull wife to a Lackey, then a

Paramour to bee mocked by a Gentleman, though besides hee that abused mee is none.

The upshot of all was, that Tosilos should bee kept up, till they saw what became of his transformation. All cryed, Don-Quixote's was the Victorie, and the most were sad and Melancholy, to see that the expected Combatants had not beaten one another to peeces; as boyes are sad, when the party they looke for comes not out to be hanged, when eyther the contrary, or the Justice pardons him.

The people departed, and the Duke and the Duchesse returned, and Don-Quixote with them to the Castle, Tosilos was shut up, Donna Rodriguez and her Daughter were most happy, to see that one way or other, that businesse should end in marriage, and Tosilos hoped no lesse.