The history of the renown'd Don Quixote de la Mancha written in Spanish by Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra ; translated from the original by several hands ; and publish'd by Peter Motteux ... ; adorn'd with sculptures.

CHAP. III. What past between Don Quixote and the Goat-herds.

THe Knight was very courteously receiv'd by the Goat-herds; and as for Sancho, after he had set up Rozinante and his Ass as well as he cou'd, he presently repair'd to the attractive smell of some pieces of Kids flesh which stood boiling in a Kettle, over the fire. The hungry Squire wou'd immediately have try'd whether they were fit to be remov'd out of the Kettle into his Stomach, but was not put to that trou∣ble; for the Goat-herds took 'em off the fire, and having spread some Sheep-skins on the ground, soon got their rural Feast ready, and chearfully invited his Master and him to par∣take of what they had. Next, with some course Complements after the Country way, they de∣sir'd Don Quixote to sit down on a Trough with the bottom upwards, and then six of 'em, who were all that belong'd to the Fold, squatted 'em down round the Skins; While Sancho stood to wait upon his Master, and give him drink in a Horn Cup, which the Goat-herds us'd. But he, seeing his man stand behind, said to him; That thou mayst understand, Sancho, the Benefits of Knight-Errantry, and how the meanest Retain∣ers to it have a fair prospect of being speedily esteem'd and honour'd by the world, tis my plea∣sure that thou sit thee down by me, in the com∣pany

of these good people, that there be no difference now observ'd between thee and me, that thou eat in the same Dish, and drink in the same Cup: For, it may be said of Knight-Errantry as of Love, that it makes all Things equal. I thank your Worship, cry'd Sancho; but yet I must needs own, had I but a good deal of meat before me, I'd eat it as well, or rather better standing, and by my self, than if I sat by an Emperor; and to deal plainly and truly with you, I had rather munch a crust of brown Bread and an Onion in a corner, without any more ado or ceremony, than feed upon Turkey at another Mans Table, where one is fain to sit mincing and chawing his Meat an hour together, drink little, be always wiping his Fingers and his Chops, and never dare to Cough nor Sneeze, tho he has never so much a mind to it, nor do a many things, which a Body may do freely by ones self; therefore, good Sir, change those tokens of your kindness which I have a right to, by being your Worships Squire, into something that may do me more good; as for these same ho∣nours I heartily thank you, as much as if I had accepted of 'em, but yet I give up my right to 'em from this time to the world's end. Talk no more, reply'd Don Quixote, but sit thee down, for the humble shall be exalted, and so pulling him by the Arm, he forced him to sit by him.

All this while the Goat-herds, who did not understand this Jargon of Knights-Errant Chi∣valry and Squires fed heartily, and said nothing, but star'd upon their Guests, who very fairly swal∣low'd whole Luncheons, as big as their Fists, with a mighty appetite. The first Course being over, they brought in the second, consisting of dry'd

Acorns, and half a Cheese as hard as a Brick. Nor was the Horn idle all this while, but went merrily round up and down so many times, sometimes full and sometimes empty, like the two Buckets of a Well, that they made shift at last to drink off one of the two Skins of Wine which they had there. And now Don Quixote having satisfy'd his appetite, he took a handful of Acorns, and looking earnestly upon 'em, O happy age, cry'd he, which our first parents call'd the age of Gold; not be∣cause Gold, so much ador'd in this Iron Age, was then easily purchas'd; but because those two fatal words Mine and Thine were distin∣ctions unknown to the people of those fortu∣nate Times. For all Things were in common in that holy age. Men for their sustenance needed only to lift their hands, and take it from the sturdy Oak, whose spreading arms liberally invited 'em to gather the wholsome savoury Fruit; while the clear Springs, and silver Rivulets, with luxuriant plenty offer'd 'em their pure refreshing Water. In hollow Trees, and in the Clefts of Rocks, the labour∣ing and industrious Bees erected their little Commonwealths, that men might reap with pleasure and with ease the sweet and fertile harvest of their Soils. The tough and strenu∣ous Cork-Trees did of themselves, and with∣out other art than their native Liberality, dis∣miss and impart their broad light Bark, which serv'd to cover those lowly Huts, propt up with rough-hewn Stakes, that were first built as a shelter against the Inclemencies of the air. All then was Union, all Peace, all Love and Friendship in the World. As yet no rude

Plough-share presum'd with violence to open and pry into the pious Bowels of our Mother Earth; for she without Compulsion kindly yielded from every part of her fruitful and spacious bosom whatever might at once satisfie, sustain and indulge her frugal Children. Then was the time when innocent beautiful young Shepherdesses went tripping o're the Hills and Vales, their lovely hair, sometimes plaited, sometimes loose and flowing, clad in no other vestment but what was necessary to cover de∣cently what Modesty wou'd always have con∣ceal'd. The Tyrian Dye, and the rich glossy hue of Silk, martyr'd and dissembled into eve∣ry colour, which are now esteem'd so fine and magnificent, were unknown to the innocent plainness of that age; yet bedeckt with more becoming Leaves and Flowers, they might be said to outshine the proudest of the vain dres∣sing Ladies of our age array'd in the most mag∣nificent garbs, and all the most sumptuous adornings, which Idleness and Luxury have taught succeeding Pride. Lovers then exprest the Passion of their Souls in the unaffected Language of the Heart, with the native plainness and sincerity in which they were conceiv'd, and divested of all that artificial Contexture which enervates what it labours to enforce. Imposture, Deceit and Malice had not yet crept in and impos'd them∣selves unbrib d upon mankind in the disguise of Truth and Simplicity. Justice, unbyass'd either by Favour or Interest, which now so shamefully pervert it, was equally and im∣partially dispenc d: Nor was the Judges Fancy, Law; for then there were neither judges, nor

Causes to be judg'd. But in this degenerate age, Fraud, and a Legion of Ills infecting the World, no Virtue can be safe, no Honour be secure, while wanton Desires, diffus'd into the hearts of Men, corrupt the strictest watches, and the closest retreats; which, tho as intricate and unknown as the Labyrinth of Crete, are no security for Chastity. Thus that primitive In∣nocence being vanish'd, and Oppression daily prevailing, there was a necessity to oppose the Torrent of Violence. For which reason the order of Knighthood-Errant was instituted, to defend the honour of Virgins, protect Widows, relieve Orphans, and assist all the distress'd in general. Now I my self am one of this Order, honest Friends; and tho all People are oblig'd by the law of Nature, to be kind to Persons of my Order, I ought to pay a particular acknowledg∣ment for the good entertainment, which you so generously afford me and my Squire; the rather, as you have done it without being in the least acquainted with my circumstances; and therefore with all the sincerity imaginable, I return you my hearty thanks.

All this long Oration, which might very well have been spared, was owing to the Acorns, that recall'd the Golden age to our Knights re∣membrance, and made him thus hold forth to the Goat-herds, who devoutly listen'd, but edi∣fy'd little, the Discourse not being suited to their Capacities. Sancho, as well as they, was silent all the while, eating Acorns, and frequently visiting the second Skin of Wine, which for Coolness-sake was hung upon a neighboring Cork-Tree. As for Don Quixote, he was longer and more intent upon his Speech than upon his

Supper; when he had done, one of the Goat-herds addressing himself to him, Sir Knight, said he, that you may be sure you're heartily welcom, we'll get one of our Fellows to give us a Song: He is just a coming: A good notable young Lad he is, I'll say that for him, and up to the Ears in Love. He's a Scholard, and can read and write, and plays so rarely upon the Fiddle that 'tis a charm but to hear him. No sooner were the words out of the Goat-herds mouth, but they heard the sound of the Instrument he spoke of, and presently appear'd a good comely young man of about two and twenty years of Age. The Goat-herds ask'd him if he had supp'd? and he having told them he had, Then, dear Antonio, says the first speaker, prethee sing us a Song, to let this Gentleman, our guest, see that we have those amongst us who know somewhat of Musick, for all we live amidst Woods and Mountains. We have told him of thee already, therefore pray thee make our words good, and sing us the Ditty thy Unkle the Prebendary made of thy Love, that was so lik'd in our Town. With all my heart, reply'd Antonio, and so without any further entreaty, sitting down on the stump of an Oak, he tun d his Fiddle, and very handsomly sung the following Song.

Antonio's Amorous Complaint.

THo Love ne're pratti•••• at your Eyes, (The Eyes, those silent Tongues of Love) Yet sure, Olalia, you're my Prize: For Truth, with Zeal, ev n Heav'n can move.

I think, my Love, you only try, Ev'n while I fear you've seal'd my Doom: So, tho involv'd in Doubts I lye, Hope sometimes glimmers thro the gloom.

A Flame so fierce, so bright, so pure, No Scorn can quench, nor Art improve: Thus like a Martyr I endure; For there's a heav'n to crown my Love.

In Dress and Dancing I have strove My proudest Rivals to outvy: In Serenades I ve breath'd my Love, When all Things slept but Love and I.

I need not add, I speak your Praise Till ev'ry Nymph's Disdain I move: Tho thus a thousand Foes I raise, 'Tis sweet to praise the Fair I love.

Teresa once your Charms debas'd; But I her Rudeness soon reprov'd: In vain her Friend my Anger fac'd; For then I fought for her I lov'd.

Dear cruel Fair, why then so coy? How can you so much Love withstand? Alas! I crave no lawless Joy, But with my heart wou'd give my hand.

Soft, easie, strong is Hymen's Tye: Oh! then no more the Bliss refuse. Oh! wed me, or I swear to dye, Or linger wretched and reclose.

Here Antonio ended his Song; Don Quixote intreated him to sing another, but Sancho Panca, who had more mind to sleep, than to hear the finest singing in the World, told his Master, there was enough. Good Sir, quoth he, your Worship had better go and lye down where you are to take your rest this night; besides, these good people are tir'd with their days labour, and rather want to go to sleep than to sit up all night to hear Ballads. I un∣derstand thee, Sancho, cry'd Don Quixote, and indeed I thought thy frequent visiting the Bot∣tle wou'd make thee fonder of sleep than of Music. Make us thankful, cry'd Sancho! we all lik'd the Wine well enough. I do not deny it, reply'd Don Quixote; but go thou and lay thee down where thou pleasest; as for me it better becomes a man of my profession to wake than to sleep. Yet, stay and dress my Ear be∣fore thou goest, for it pains me extremely. Thereupon one of the Goat-herds beholding the Wound, as Sancho offer'd to dress it, desir'd the Knight not to trouble himself, for he had a Remedy that wou'd quickly cure him; and then fetching a few Rosemary leaves, which grew in great plenty thereabouts, he bruis'd 'em, and mix'd a little Salt among 'em, and ha∣ving apply'd the Medicine to the Ear, he bound it up, assuring him, he nedeed no other Re∣medy; which in a little time prov'd very true.