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

CHAP. LVIII.

Of Adventures that came so thick and three-fold on Don-Quixote, that they gave no respit one to the other.

WHen Don-Quixote saw himself in open Field, free and uncumbred from Altisidora's wooing, hee thought himself in his Center, and that his spirits were renewed to prosecute his new project of Chi∣valrie; and turning to Sancho, said:

Liberty, Sancho, is one of the preciousest Gifts that Heaven hath given men; the treasure that the earth encloseth and the Sea hides, cannot be equalized to it. Life ought to be hazarded as well for Li∣berty, as for a mans Honour; and by the contrary Captivity is the greatest evill that

can befall men. This I tell thee Sancho, because, thou hast well observed the cheer and plenty we have had in the Castle we left. Well, in the midest of those savoury Ban∣quets, and those drinks cooled with snow, me thought I was straightned with hunger; for I enjoyed nothing with the liberty I should have done, had it been mine own; for the obligations of recompencing benefits and favours received, are tyes that curb a free minde. Happy that man to whom Heaven hath given a piece of bread, without obliga∣tion to thank any else but Heaven alone.

For all that (quoth Sancho) 'tis not fit for us to be unthankfull for two hundred Crowns that wee have received in gold, which the Dukes Steward gave me in a purse, which I carry as comforting Cordial next my heart, for what may fall out; for wee shall not alwaies finde Castles where we shall be much made on; sometimes wee shall meet with Inns, where we shall be cudgelled.

In these and such like discourses went the Errants on, Knight and Squire, when they saw (having gone about half a league upon the grasse of a green Medow, some dozen men with their Cloaks spread at dinner, clad like Husbandmen; somewhat neer them they had, as it were, white sheets, with which they covered something underneath: they were set upright and stretch at length, and put a pretty distance one from another.

Don-Quixote came to those that were eating, and saluting them first courteously, hee asked them what was under that linnen? One of them answered him, Sir, under this linnen there bee certain Images of Embossed work in wood, which must serve in a shew wee make in our Village: wee carry them covered, that they may not bee ••ullied and on our shoulders that they bee not broken. If you please (quoth Don-Quixote) I should be glad to see them; for Images carried so charily doubtlesse are good ones. Good (quoth one?) if they bee not, let their price speak; for there is none of them but cost fifty Ducats; and that you may see 'tis true, pray stay, and you shall see it with your eyes: and rising hee left his dinner, and went to uncover the first Image, which shewed to bee Saint George on horse back, with a winding Serpent at his feet, and his Launce runne thorow the throat of it, with the fiercenesse he useth to be painted with: all the Images seemed to bee of pure gold. And Don-Quixote seeing it, said, This Knight was one of the best Errants that the divine War-fare had, his name was Saint George, and he was a wonderfull defender of Damzels. Let's see this next. The man disco∣vered it, and it seemed to see Saint Martin on Horse-back, that divided his cloak with the poor man; and Don-Quixote no sooner saw it, but he said, This Knight also was one of our Christian Advent••rers, and I beleeve he was more liberall then valiant, as thou mayest see Sancho by his dividing his cloak, and giving the poor man half; and doubtlesse it was then Winter; for had it been Summer, he would have given him all, he was so charitable.

Not so (quoth Sancho) but he stuck to the Proverb, To give and to have doth a brain crave.

Don-Quixote laughed, and desired them to take away another peece of linnen, under which was the Image of the Patron of Spain on Horse-back, his sword bloodied, tram∣pling on Moors, and treading on heads: and Don-Quixote seeing it, said, I marry Sir, here's a Knight indeed, one of Christs Squadrons, this is called Don-Saint Diego, Moor∣killer, one of the Valientest Saints and Knights in the world then, or in heaven now. Then they discovered another peece, which shewed Saint Paul his falling from his Horse, with all the circumstances usually painted in the Table of his Conversion: when hee saw him so lively, as if you would say, Christ were then speaking to him, and Paul an∣swering, hee said, This was the greatest enemie that the Church of God had in a long time, and the greatest Defender that ever it shall have, a Knight Errant in his life time, and a quiet Saint in his death, a restless Laboror in the Vineyard of the Lord, a Doctor of Nations, whose School was Heaven, and Christ himself his Reader and Instructer. Now there were no more Images: and so Don-Quixote commanded them to cover them again, and said to those that carried them, I hold it for a propitious signe Brethen, to have seen what I have seen; for those Saints and Knights were of my Profession, which is, to exercise Armes; onely the difference between them and me is, that they were

Saints, and fought Divinely; I am a sinner, and fight humanely. They conquer'd hea∣ven by force of their Armes (for heaven suffers force) and hitherto I know not what I conquer by the force of my sufferings: but if my Dulcinea del Toboso be once free from hers, my Fortune bettering it self, and my judgement repaired, perhaps I might take a better course then I doe.

God grant, and Sin be deaf, quoth Sancho straight.

The men wondred as well at Don-Quixotes shape, as at his discourse, and understood not one half what it meant. They ended their dinner and got up their Images, and taking leave of Don-Quixote, they went on their way. Sancho admired afresh, as if hee had never known his Master, at his knowledge, thinking there was no Historyin the world, or Accident, that hee had not ciphered upon his nayle, and nayled in his memory, and said, Truly (Master mine) if this that hath befaln us to day may be called an Ad∣venture, it hath been one of the most delicious sweetest, that in all our peregrination hath befaln us; for wee are come out of it without blows or affrightment, or laying hands to our swords, or without beating the earth with our bodies, or being hungry: God be thanked that hee hath let me see this with these eyes of mine.

Thou sayest well Sancho (quoth Don-Quixote) but thou must know, the times are not alwaies alike, nor run on in one fashion, and that which the vulgar commonly call Bodings, which are not grounded upon any naturall reason, ought to bee held, and re∣puted, and judged by a wise man for good luck. One of your Wizards riseth in a mor∣ning, goes out of his house, meets with a Frier of the blessed Order of S. Francis, and as if hee had met with a Griffin, turns his back and runs home again. Tother Men∣doza hee spils the salt on the Table, and straight hath a melancholy sprinkled all over his heart, as if Nature were bound to shew signes of ensuing mischances, with things of so small moment as the aforesaid: The discreet Christians ought not to stand upon points, or to look into the doings of Heaven. Scipio comes into Africa, and leaping on shore, hee stumbles; his Souldiers hold it for an ill signe: but hee embracing the ground, said, Thou canst not flye from me Africa, for I have fast hold on thee in mine Armes. So that Sancho, the meeting with these Images hath been a most happie successe to mee.

I beleeve you (quoth Sancho) and pray tell me the cause why wee Spainiards cry Saint Iaques, and shut Spain? is Spain open troe, so that it needed bee shut? or what ceremonie is this?

Thou art most simple Sancho (quoth Don-Quixote) and look; This Grand Knight with the red Crosse, God hath given him to Spain for a Patron and Protector, especially in the hard conflicts that the Moors and wee had together; and therefore they invoke and call on him as their Protector in all their battels they give, and many times they have visibly seen him in them, overthrowing, trampling, destroying and killing Agaren Squa∣drons. Many examples could I produce to confirm this, out of the true Spanish Histories.

Sancho changed his discourse, and said to his Master, Sir, I doe wonder at the loos∣nesse of Altisidora, the Duchesses, Damzell; that same fellow called Love, hath bravely wounded and runne her thorow; they say, hee is a little blinde boy, that though hee bee blear•• ey'd or to say truer, blinde: takes the least heart for his mark, and hits it, and pierceth it with his Flight from one side to the other. I have also heard say, that in the modesty and warinesse of Damzells, his amorous Arrows are headlesse and dull: but in this Altisidora, it seems they are rather whetted then dull. Look you Sancho (quoth Don-Quixote). Love hath no respect or limit in his dealing, and hath the same condition with Death, that as well sets upon the high Palaces of Kings, as the low Cottages of Sheepheards, and when he takes entire possession of a soul, the first thing hee does, is to banish shame, without which Altisidora declared her desires, that rather engendred in my brest confusion then pitty.

Notable cruelty (quoth Sancho) unheard of thanklesnesse•• I know for my part, that the least amorous reason of hers would have humbled and made me her Vassall; ah whoreson, what a heart of marble, entrails of brasse, and soul of rough-cast had you? but I cannot imagine what this Damzel saw in you, that should so vanquish her? What

Gallantry? What Courage? What Conceit? What Countenance? which of these alone, or all together enamoured her? for truly, I behold you many times from head to foot, and I see more in you to affright then to enamour: and having also heard say; that Beauty is the first and principall part that doth enamour, you having none, I know not on what the poor soul was enamoured.

Marke Sancho (quoth Don-Quixote) there bee two kinds of beauty, one of the mind, the other of the body; that of the mind doth march and is seen in the understan∣ding, in honesty, in good proceeding, in Liberalitie, in being well bred; and all these qualities are untamed, and may be in an ill-favored-man; and when the choyce is set upon this beauty, and not upon that of the body, it causeth Love with more force and advantage. I see Sancho that I am not lovely, and yet I know too that I am not defor∣med, and it is enough for an honest man, if he be not a Monster, to bee beloved, so I have the Portions of the mind I have told thee of.

In these Reasons and Discourses they went entring in at a Wood that was out of the way, and suddainly, before they were aware, Don-Quixote found himselfe entangled in nets of greene thread, that were set from one Tree to another; and not imagining what it might be, he said ••o Sancho, Mee thinks Sancho, this Adventure of these Netts is one of the strangest that may bee imagined; hang me if the Enchanters that persecute me, mean not to intangle me in them, and to stop my way, in revenge of the rigour I have used toward Altisidora. Well, let them know that these Nets, were they of hardest Diamonds as they are of green thred, or stronger then that the jealous God of the Black-Smiths entangled Venus and Mars with, I would break it as if it were Bull∣Rushes or Yarn: and striving to get forward, suddainly two most beautifull Sheep∣heardesses comming from out the Thicket, appeard before him, two at least attired like Sheepheardesses, only their loose Jackets and Coats were of fine cloth of Gold, I say, their Kirtles were of Tissue; their hairs hung loose over their shoulders, that for gol∣den, might compare with the Sunnebeams: they were crowned with two Garlands woven with green Bayes, and red-flower gentle: their ages seemed to bee not under fifteen, nor past eighteen.

This was a sight that astonisht Sancho, suspended Don-Quixote, made the Sunne stop in his Career to behold them, and held all the four in marvellous silence. In fine, the first that spake was one of the Sheepheardesses, that said to Don-Quixote, Hold Gentle∣men, and break not our Nets that are spred there, not to your hurt, but for our recre∣ation; and because I know you will ask us why they are so put, and who wee are I will tell you briefly.

In a Village some two leagues hence, where there are many Gentlemen of quality and rich; amongst many acquaintances and Kindred it was agreed, that the Wives, Sonnes and Daughters, Neighbours, Friends and Kinsfolk, should joyn to make merry in this place, which is one of the pleasantest here round about, forming as it were amongst us a new and pastorall Arcadia, clothing the Maids like Sheepheardesses, and the Young men like Sheepheards: two Eglogues wee have studied, one of the famous Poet Garsilasso, and the other of that most excellent Poet Camoes in his own Mother Portugall Tongue, which hitherto wee have not repeated. Yesterday was the first day wee came hither; wee have our Tents, called Field-Tents, pitche amongst these Trees, close by the brink of a goodly running Brook, which fructifies all these Medows: last night wee did spread our Nets on these Trees to catch the poor Birds that being allured with our call should fall into them. If you please Sir, to bee our Guest, you shall bee entertained liberally and courteously; for now into this place comes neither Sorrow not Melancholy. With this shee was silent and said no more.

To which Don-Quixote answered; Truly (fairest Lady) Act••on was not more astonisht when hee saw Diana bathing her self in the Fountain, then I have been in be∣holding your beauty: I commend the manner of your pastime, and thank you for your kinde offers, and if I may serve you, so I may bee sure you will bee obeyed, you may com∣mand me: for my Profession is this, To shew my self thankfull, and a Doer of good

to all sorts of people, especially of the rank that your person shews you to bee; and if those Nets, as they take up but a little peece of ground, should take up the whole World, I would seek out new worlds to passe thorow, rather then break them: and that you may give credit to this my exaggeration, behold, at least hee that promiseth you this, is Don-Quixote de la Mancha, if haply this name hath come to your hearing.

Ah sweet friend (quoth the other Sheepheardesse) what good luck is this? Seest thou this Gentleman before us? Well let me tell thee, hee is the valiantest, the most enamoured, and the most courteous in the world, if the History lye not and deceive us, which is in print, of his famous exploits, which I have read: I hold a wager this honest fellow here with him, is (what call yee him?) Sancho Panca his Squire, that hath no fellow for his mirth.

'Tis true (quoth Sancho) I am that merry fellow, and that Squire you speak of, and this Gentleman is my Master, the very self same Don-Quixote aforesaid and Hi∣storified.

Ah (quoth the other) let us intreat him friend, to stay with us, for our Friends and Kindred will bee infinitely glad of it, and I have heard tell as well as thou of his worth and wit; and above all, they say of him, that he is the ••irmest and loyallist Amourist that is known, and that his Mistris is one Dulcinea del Toboso, that bears the prize from all the Beauties in Spain.

With just reason she doth (quoth Don-Quixote) if so be your matchlesse beauties put it not in controvesie: Weary not your selves Ladies in deteining me; for the pre∣cise ties of my Profession will let me rest no where.

By this there came a Brother of one of the Sheepheardesses, where the four were as brave and gallant as they: they told him that hee which was with them, was the valo∣rous Don-Quixote de la Mancha, and the other Sancho his Squire, of whom he had no∣tice, as having read his History.

The gallant Sheepheard saluted him, desiring him to come with him to their Tents. Don-Quixote was forced to consent, which hee did. And now the Nets were drawn and filled with divers little Birds, who deceived with the colour of them, fell into the danger they shun'd: There met in that place above thirty persons, all gallantly clad like Sheepheards and Sheepheardesses; and instantly they were made to know who Don-Quixote was, and his Squire; at which they were not a little contented; for they had notice of him by his History: They came to the Tents, and found the Tables co∣vered, rich, aboundant, and neat: they honour'd Don-Quixote with the chief seat; all of them beheld him, and admir'd to see him.

Finally, the cloth being taken away, Don-Quixote very gravely lifted up his voyce, and said, Amongst the greatest sins there are committed (though some say Pride) yet I say Ingratitude is one, holding my self to the usuall saying, That Hell is full of the un∣gratefull. This sinne, as much as possible I could, I have sought to avoid ever since I had reason: and if I cannot repay one good turn with another, in stead of that, my desires are not wanting, and when they suffice not I publish them: for hee that ac∣knowledgeth and publisheth good turns received, would also recompence them with others, if he could; for, the most part, they that receive, are inferior to those that give, and so God is above all; because hee is giver above all, and the gifts of men can∣not bee equall to Gods for the infinite difference betwixt them: and this straightnesse and barenesse doth in some measure supply a thankfullnesse: I therefore being thank∣full for the kindenesse I have here received, and not able to correspond in the same proportion, containing my self in the narrow limits of my abilitie, offer what I may and what I have from my Harvest: and therefore I say, that I will for two long dayes, maintain in the midst of the Kings high-way toward Saragosa, that these Ladies, counterfeit Sheepheardesses here present, are the fairest and most courteous Dam∣zels in the world, excepting only the peerlesse Dulcinea del Toboso, sole Mi∣stris of my thoughts, with peace bee it spoken to as many, both hees and shees, as heare mee.

Which when Sancho heard, that had attentively listned, crying out, hee said, Is it

possible there can bee any body in the world, that dares say or sweare that this Master of mine is mad? Pray speake: You Gentlemen Shepheards, is there any Countrey Vicar, bee hee never so wise, or never so good a Scholler, that can say what my Master hath said? or is there any Knight Errant, let him bee never so much fam'd for his va∣lour, that can offer what my Master hath here offered?

Don-Quixote turned to Sancho and all enflamed and cholericke, said, Is it possible, O Sancho, that there is any body in the world that will say, Thou are not a Coxcomb, lined with the same, and hemmed with I know not what malice or knavery? Who bids thee meddle with my matters, in sifting out, whether I bee wise or a jolt-head? Peace and not a word, but saddle Rozinante, if hee bee unsaddled, and let's put my of∣fer in execution: for with the justice that I have on my side, thou maist presume, as many as I meet withall are vanquisht: and so with great fury, and in a terrible huffe hee rose from his Chayre, leaving all the by-standers in admiration, and in doubt whe∣ther they should hold him mad, or wise. Finally, they perswaded him, hee should not thrust himselfe into such an engagement: for they acknowledged his thankfull good will, and that there needed no new demonstrations to know his valourous minde: for his exploits mentioned in his History were sufficient.

For all that, Don-Quixote proceeded in his purpose, and mounted on Rozinante, buckling his shield to him, and taking his Launce, hee got to the High-way, not farr from the greene Meddow. Sancho followed him upon Dapple, with all the Pasto∣rall flocke, desirous to see what might be the issue of that arrogant, and never seen offer.

Don-Quixote being (as I have said) upon the way, hee wounded the ayre with these words: Oh you Passengers, and way-faring Knights, Squires on foot, or on horse∣back, that either now passe this way, or are to passe in these two ensuing dayes, know, that Don-Quixote de la Mancha, Knight Errant, is here ready to maintaine, that set∣ting the beauty of the Mistris of my soule aside, Dulcinea del Toboso, the Nymphs that inhabit these Meddowes and Groves, are the fairest that may bee: and hee that is of a contrary opinion, let him come; for here I expect him.

Twice hee repeated these selfe-same words, and twice they were not heard by any Adventurer: but his good lucke that directed his affaires better and better, so ordai∣ned, that a pretty while after, they might see a troope of horse-men upon the way, and many of them with Launces in their hands, all of them going in a heape together, and apace: they that were with Don-Quixote as soone as ever they saw them, turn'd their backs, and got farre enough out of the way: for they knew if they stayed, they might bee in some danger, onely Don-Quixote with an undaunted heart stood still; and Sancho Panca warded himselfe with Rozinante's buttocks.

The troope of the Launces came on, and one that was formost cryed out aloud to Don-Quixote, saying, out of the way, madman: for these Buls will beat thee to pieces.

Goe to, yee skoundrels, quoth Don-Quixote, your Buls shall not prevaile with mee, though they were the fiercest that Xarama hath feeding on his Bankes: Confesse, yo•• Elves, all in one, that what I have proclaimed here, is a truth, or else come and com∣bate with mee.

The Heards-man had no leisure to answere, nor Don-Quixote to get out of the way, though hee would: and so the troope of wilde Buls, together with the tame Kine, and the multitude of Heards-men, and others, that carried them to be kept up in a town, where they were the next day to bee baited, trampled over Don-Quixote, Sancho, Rozi∣nante and Dapple, tumbling them all down upon the ground.

Sancho was bruised, Don-Quixote astonisht, Dapple banged, and Rozinante not very Catholike: but in fine all of them gate up, and Don-Quixote in all haste, some∣times stumbling, other whiles falling, began to runne after the whole Heard, crying a∣loud, Hold, Stay, yee Elvish crue; for one onely Knight expects you, who is not of that minde or opinion of those that say, to a flying enemy a Silver bridge. But the hasty runners stayed never a whit the more for this; nor made any reckoning of his threats more then of last yeers clouds.

Don-Quixote being weary stayed him. So, fuller of anger then revenge, hee sate in the way, expecting when Sancho, Rozinante, and Dapple should arrive. At length they came, and Master and man gat up; and without leave taking of the fained or coun∣terfeit Arcadia, with more shame then delight, they went onward their way.