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The Third BookChapter IV.
Chapter IV.
Wherein Are Rehearsed the Discourses Passed Between Sancho Panza and His Lord,
Don Quixote, With Other Adventures Worthy the Recital
Sancho arrived to his master all man and dismayed, insomuch as he was
scarce able to spur on his beast. When Don Quixote beheld him in that case, he
said to him: `Now do I wholly persuade myself, friend Sancho, that that castle
or inn is doubtless enchanted; for those which made pastime with thee in so
cruel manner, what else could they be but spirits, or people of another world?
which I do the rather believe, because I saw that, whilst I stood at the
barrier of the yard, beholding the acts of thy sad tragedy, I was not in any
wise able either to mount it, or alight from Rozinante; for, as I say, I think
they held me then enchanted. For I vow to thee, by mine honour, that if I
could have either mounted or alighted, I would have taken such vengeance on
those lewd and treacherous caitiffs as they should remember the jest for ever,
though I had therefore adventured to transgress the laws of knighthood; which,
as I have ofttimes said unto thee, permitteth not any knight to lay hands on
one that is not knighted, if it be not in defence of his proper life and
person, and that in case of great and urgent necessity.` `So would I also have
revenged myself,` quoth Sancho, `if I might, were they knights or no knights;
but I could not: and yet I do infallibly believe that those which took their
pleasure with me were neither ghosts nor enchanted men, as you say, but men of
flesh and bones as we are; and all of them, as I heard them called whilst they
tossed me, had proper names, for one was termed Peter Martinez, and another
Tenorio Herriander, and I heard also the innkeeper called John Palameque the
deaf; so that, for your inability of not leaping over the barriers of the
yard, or alighting off your horse, was only enchantments in you. Whereby I do
clearly collect thus much, that these adventures which we go in search of will
bring us at last to so many disventures as we shall not be able to know which
is our right foot. And that which we might do best, according to my little
understanding, were to return us again to our village, now that it is reaping
- time, and look to our goods, omitting to leap thus, as they say, out of the
frying - pan into the fire.`
`How little dost thou know, Sancho,` replied Don Quixote, `what
appertaineth to chivalry! Peace, and have patience, for a day will come
wherein thou shalt see with thine own eyes how honourable it is to follow this
exercise. If not, tell me what greater content may there be in this world, or
what pleasure can equal that of winning a battle, and of triumphing over one`s
enemy? None, without doubt.` `I think it be so,` quoth Sancho, `although I do
not know it; only this I know, that, since we became knights - errant, or that
you are one (for there is no reason why I should count myself in so honourable
a number), we never overcame any battle, if it was not that of the Biscaine,
and you came even out of the very same with half your ear and beaver less; and
ever after that time we have had nothing but cudgels and more cudgels, blows
and more blows; I carrying with me besides, of overplus, the tossing in the
blanket; and that, by reason it was done to me by enchanted persons, I cannot
be revenged, and by consequence shall not know that true gust and delight that
is taken by vanquishing mine enemy, whereof you spake even now.` `That is it
which grieves me, as it should thee also, Sancho,` quoth Don Quixote. `But I
will procure hereafter to get a sword made with such art, that whosoever shall
wear it, no kind of enchantment shall hurt him; and perhaps fortune will
present me that very same which belonged to Amadis, when he called himself
"the knight of the burning sword," which was one of the best that ever knight
had in this world; for besides the virtue that I told, it did also cut like a
razor; and no armour, were it ever so strong or enchanted, could stand before
it.` `I am so fortunate.` quoth Sancho, `that when this befel, and that you
found such a sword, it would only serve and be beneficial, and stand in stead,
such as are dubbed knights, as doth your balsam; whilst are crammed full with
sorrows.` `Fear not that, Sancho,` quoth Don Quixote; `for fortune will deal
with thee more liberally than so.`
In these discourses Don Quixote and his squire rode; when Don Quixote,
perceiving a great and thick dust to arise in the way wherein he travelled,
turning to Sancho, said, `This is, Sancho, the day wherein shall be manifest
the good which fortune hath reserved for me. This is the day wherein the force
of mine arm must be shown as much as in any other whatsoever; and in it I will
do such feats as shall for ever remain recorded in the books of fame. Dost
thou see, Sancho the dust which ariseth there? Know that it is caused by a
mighty army, and sundry and innumerable nations, which come marching there.`
`If that be so,` quoth Sancho, `then must there be two armies; for on this
other side is raised as great a dust.` Don Quixote turned back to behold it,
and seeing it was so indeed, he was marvellous glad, thinking that they were
doubtlessly two armies, which came to fight one with another in the midst of
that spacious plain; for he had his fantasy ever replenished with these
battles, enchantments, successes, ravings, loves, and challenges which are
rehearsed in books of knighthood, and all that ever he spoke, thought, or did,
was addressed and applied to the like things. And the dust which he had seen
was raised by two great flocks of sheep, that came through the same field by
two different ways, and could not be discerned, by reason of the dust, until
they were very near. Don Quixote did affirm that they were two armies with so
very good earnest as Sancho believed it, and demanded of him, `Sir, what then
shall we two do? `What shall we do.` quoth Don Quixote, `but assist the
needful and weaker side? For thou shalt know, Sancho, that he who comes
towards us is the great emperor Alifamfaron, lord of the great island of
Trapobana; the other, who marcheth at our back, is his enemy, the king of the
Garamantes, Pentapolin of the naked arm, so called because he still entereth
in battle with his right arm naked.` `I pray you, good sir,` quoth Sancho, `to
tell me why these two princes hate one another so much?` `They are enemies,`
replied Don Quixote, `because that this Alifamfarois a furious pagan, and is
enamoured of Pentapolin`s daughter, who is a very beautiful and gracious
princess, and, moreover, a Christian; and her father refuseth to give her to
the pagan king, until first he abandon Mahomet`s false sect, and become one of
his religion.` `By my beard,` quoth Sancho, `Pentapolin hath reason, and I
will help him all that I may.` `By doing so,` quoth Don Quixote, `thou
performest thy duty; for it is not requisite that one be a knight to the end
he may enter into such battle.` `I do apprehend that myself,` quoth Sancho,
`very well; but where shall we leave this ass in the meantime, that we may be
sure to find him again after the conflict? - for I think it is not the custom
to enter into battle mounted on such a beast.` `It is true,` quoth Don
Quixote; `that which thou mayst do is to leave him to his adventures, and care
not whether he be lost or found; for we shall have so many horses, after
coming out of this battle victors, that very Rozinante himself is in danger to
be changed for another. But be attentive; for I mean to describe unto thee the
principal knights of both the armies; and to the end thou mayst the better see
and note all things, let us retire ourselves there to that little hillock,
from whence both armies may easily be descried.`
[See Squadron Of Sheep: He rushed into the squadron of sheep, and began to
attack them with his lance.]
They did so; and, standing on the top of a hill, from whence they might
have seen both the flocks, which Don Quixote called an army, very well, if the
clouds of dust had not hindered it and blinded their sight; yet,
notwithstanding, our knight seeing in conceit that which he really did not see
at all, began to say, with a loud voice, -
`That knight which thou seest there with the yellow armour, who bears in
his shield a lion, crowned, crouching at a damsel`s feet, is the valorous
Laurcalio, lord of the silver bridge. The other, whose arms are powdered with
flowers of gold, and bears in an azure field three crowns of silver, is the
dreaded Micocolembo, great duke of Quirocia. The other, limbed like a giant,
that standeth at his right hand, is the undaunted Brandabarbaray of Boliche,
lord of the three Arabias, and comes armed with a serpent`s skin, bearing for
his shield, as is reported, one of the gates of the temple which Samson at his
death overthrew to be revenged of his enemies. But turn thine eyes to this
other side, and thou shalt see first of all, and in the front of this other
army, the ever victor and never vanquished Timonel of Carcajona, prince of New
Biscay, who comes armed with arms parted into blue, green, white, and yellow
quarters, and bears in his shield, in a field of tawny, a cat of gold, with a
letter that says Miau, which is the beginning of his lady`s name, which is, as
the report runs, the peerless Miaulina, daughter to Duke Alfeniquen of
Algarve. The other, that burdens and oppresseth the back of that mighty
courser, whose armour is as white as snow, and also his shield without any
device, is a new knight of France, called Pierres Papin, lord of the barony of
Utrique. The other, that beats his horse`s sides with his armed heels, and
bears the arms of pure azure, is the mighty Duke of Nerbia Espartafilardo of
the wood, who bears for his device a harrow, with a motto that says, "So
trails my fortune."`
And thus he proceeded forward, naming many knights of the one and the
other squadron, even as he had imagined them, and attributed to each one his
arms, his colours, imprese, and mottoes, suddenly borne away by the
imagination of his wonderful distraction; and, without stammering, he
proceeded, saying, -
`This first squadron containeth folk of many nations: in it are those
which taste the sweet waters of famous Xante; the mountainous men that tread
the Masilical fields; those that do sift the most pure and rare gold of Arabia
Felix; those that possessed the famous and delightful banks of clear
Termodonte; those that let blood, many and sundry way as the golden Pactolus;
the Numides, unstedfast in their promise; the Persians, famous for archers;
the Parthes and Medes, that fight flying; the Arabs, inconstant in their
dwellings; the Scvythians, as cruel as white; the Ethiopians, of bored lips;
and other infinite nations, whose faces I know and behold, although I have
forgotten their denominations. In that other army come those that taste the
crystalline streams of the olive-bearing Betis; those that dip and polish
their faces with the liquor of the ever-rich and golden Tagus; those that
possess the profitable fluent of divine Genil; those that trample the
Tartesian fields, so abundant in pasture; those that recreate themselves in
the Elysian fields of Xerez; the rich Manchegans, crowned with ruddy ears of
corn; those apparelled with iron, the ancient relics of the Gothish blood;
those that bathe themselves in Pesverga, renowned for the smoothness of his
current; those that feed their flocks in the vast fields of the wreathing
Guadiana, so celebrated for his hidden course; those that tremble through the
cold of the bushy Pirens, and the lofty Apennines; finally, all those that
Europe in itself containeth.`
Good God! how many provinces repeated he at that time! and how many
nations did he name, giving to every one of them, with marvellous celerity and
briefness, their proper attributes, being swallowed up and engulfed in those
things which he had read in his lying books! Sancho Panza stood suspended at
his speech, and spoke not a word, but only would now and then turn his head,
to see whether he could mark those knights and giants which his lord had
named; and, by reason he could not discover any, he said, `Sir, I give to the
devil any man, giant, or knight, of all those you said, that appeareth; at
least, I cannot discern them. Perhaps all is but enchantment, like that of the
ghosts of yesternight.` `How sayst thou so?` quoth Don Quixote. `Dost not thou
hear the horses neigh, the trumpets sound, and the noise of the drums?` `I
hear nothing else,` said Sancho, `but the great bleating of many sheep.` And
so it was, indeed; for by this time the two flocks did approach them very
near. `The fear that thou conceivest, Sancho,` quoth Don Quixote, `maketh thee
that thou canst neither hear nor see aright; for one of the effects of fear is
to trouble the senses, and make things appear otherwise than they are; and,
seeing thou fearest so much, retire thyself out of the way; for I alone am
sufficient to give the victory to that part which I shall assist.` And, having
ended his speech, he set spurs to Rozinante, and, setting his lance in the
rest, he flung down from the hillock like a thunderbolt. Sancho cried to him
as loud as he could, saying, `Return, good sir Don Quixote! for I vow unto
God, that all those which you go to charge are but sheep and muttons; return,
I say. Alas that ever I was born! what madness is this? Look; for there is
neither giant not knight, nor cats, nor arms, nor shields parted nor whole,
nor pure azures nor devilish. What is it you do? wretch that A am!` For all
this Don Quixote did not return, but rather rode, saying with a loud voice,
`On, on, knights! all you that serve and march under the banners of the
valorous emperor Pentapolin of the naked arm; follow me, all of you, and you
shall see how easily I will revenge him on his enemy, Alifamfaron of
Trapobana.` And, saying so, he entered into the midst of the flock of sheep,
and began to lance them with such courage and fury as if he did in good
earnest encounter his mortal enemies.
The shepherds that came with the flock, cried to him to leave off; but,
seeing their words took no effect, they unloosed their slings, and began to
salute his pate with stones as great as one`s fist. But Don Quixote made no
account of their stones, and did fling up and down among the sheep, saying,
`Where art thou, proud Alifamfaron? where art thou? Cometto me; for I am but
one knight alone, who desire to prove my force with thee man to man, and
deprive thee of thy life, in pain of the wrong thou dost to the valiant
Pentapolin, the Garamante.` At that instant a stone gave him such a blow on
one of his sides, as did bury two of his ribs in his body. He beholding
himself so ill dight, did presently believe that he was either slain or sorely
wounded; and, remembering himself of his liquor, he took out his oil - pot,
and set it to his mouth to drink; but ere he could take as much as he thought
requisite to cure his hurts, there cometh another almond, which struck him so
full upon the hand and oil - pot, as it broke it into pieces, and carried away
with it besides three or four of his cheek teeth, and did moreover bruise very
sorely two of his fingers. Such was the first and the second blow, as the poor
knight was constrained to fall down off his horse. And the shepherds arriving,
did verily believe they had slain him; and therefore, gathering their flock
together with all speed, and carrying away their dead muttons, which were more
than seven, they went away without verifying the matter any further.
[See How Many Teeth: Reach hither thy hand, and feel how many teeth are
wanting on the right side of my jaw.]
Sancho remained all this while on the height, beholding his master`s
follies, pulling the hairs of his beard for very despair, and cursed the hour
and the moment wherein he first knew him; but, seeing him overthrown to the
earth, and the shepherds fled away, he came down to him, and found him in very
bad taking, yet had he not quite lost the use of his senses; to whom he said,
`Did not I bid you, sir knight, return, and told you that you went not to
invade an army of men, but a flock of sheep?` `That thief, the wise man who is
mine adversary,` quoth Don Quixote, `can counterfeit and make men to seem
such, or vanish away, as he pleaseth; for, Sancho, thou oughtest to know that
it is a very easy thing for those kind of men to make us seem what they
please, and this malign that persecuteth me, envying the glory which he saw I
was like to acquire in this battle, hath converted the enemy`s squadrons into
sheep. And if thou wilt not believe me, Sancho, yet do one thing for my sake,
that thou mayst remove thine error, and perceive the truth which I affirm: get
up on thine ass, and follow them fair and softly aloof, and, thou shalt see
that, as soon as they are parted any distance from hence, they will turn to
their first form, and, leaving to be sheep, will become men, as right and
straight as I painted them to thee at the first. But go not now, for I have
need of thy help and assistance; draw nearer to me, and see how many cheek
teeth and others I want, for methinks there is not one left in my mouth.` With
that, Sancho approached so near that he laid almost his eyes on his master`s
mouth; and it was just at the time that the balsam had now wrought his effect
in Don Quixote his stomach, and at the very season that Sancho went about to
look into his mouth, he disgorged all that he had in his stomach, with as
great violence as it had been shot out of a musket, just in his compassive
squire`s beard. `O holy Mother Mary!` quoth Sancho, `what is this that hath
befallen me? The poor man is mortally wounded without doubt; for he vomiteth
up blood at his mouth.` But, looking a little nearer to it, he perceived in
the colour and smell that it was not blood, but the balsam of his master`s oil
- bottle; whereat he instantly took such a loathing, that his stomach likewise
turned, and he vomited out his very bowels almost, all in his master`s face.
And so they both remained like pearls. Soon after, Sancho ran to his ass to
take somewhat to clear himself, and to cure his lord, out of his wallet, which
when he found wanting, he was ready to run out of his wits. There he began
anew to curse himself, and made a firm resolution in mind that he would leave
his master and turn to his country again, although he were sure both to lose
his wages and the hope of government of the promised island.
By this Don Quixote arose, and, setting his left hand to his mouth, that
the rest of his teeth might not fall out, he caught hold on the reins of
Rozinante`s bridle with the other, who had never stirred from his master (such
was his loyalty and good nature), he went towards his squire, that leaned upon
his ass, with his hand under his cheek, like one pensative and malcontent. And
Don Quixote, seeing of him in that guise, with such signs of sadness, said
unto him: `Know Sancho, that one man is not more than another, if he do not
more than another. All these storms that fall on us are arguments that the
time will wax calm very soon, and that things will have better success
hereafter; for it is not possible that either good or ill be durable. And
hence we may collect that, our misfortunes having lasted so long, our fortune
and weal must be likewise near; and therefore thou oughtest not thus to
afflict thyself for the disgraces that befal me, seeing no part of them fall
to thy lot.` `How not.` quoth Sancho. `Was he whom they tossed yesterday in
the coverlet by fortune, any other man`s son than my father`s? and the wallet
that I want to - day, with all my provision, was it any other`s than mine
own?` `What! dost thou want thy wallet, Sancho?` quoth Don Quixote. `Ay, that
I do,` quoth he. `In that manner,` replied Don Quixote, `we have nothing left
us to eat today.` `That would be so,` quoth Sancho, `if we could not find
among these fields the herbs which I have heard you say you know, wherewithal
such unlucky knights - errant as you are wont to supply like needs.` `For all
that,` quoth Don Quixote, `I would rather have now a quarter of a loaf, or a
cake, and two pilchard`s heads, than all the herbs that Dioscorides
describeth, although they came glossed by Doctor Laguna himself. But yet, for
all that, get upon thy beast, Sancho the good, and follow me; for God, who is
the provider for all creatures, will not fail us; and principally, seeing we
do a work so greatly to His service as we do, seeing He doth not abandon the
little flies of the air, nor the wormlings of the earth, nor the spawnlings of
the water; and He is so merciful that He maketh His sun shine on the good and
the evil, and rains on sinners and just men.` `You were much fitter,` quoth
Sancho, `to be a preacher than a knight - errant.` `Knights - errant knew, and
ought to know, somewhat of all things,` quoth Don Quixote; `for there hath
been a knight - errant, in times past, who would make a sermon or discourse in
the midst of a camp royal with as good grace as if he were graduated in the
university of Paris; by which we may gather that the lance never dulled the
pen, nor the pen the lance.` `Well, then,` quoth Sancho, `let it be as you
have said, and let us depart hence, and procure to find a lodging for this
night, where, I pray God, may be no coverlets, and tossers, nor spirits, nor
enchanted Moors; for if there be, I`ll bestow the lock and the hook on the
devil.` `Demand that of God, son Sancho,` quoth Don Quixote, `and lead me
where thou pleasest; for I will leave the election of our lodging to thy
choice for this time. Yet, I pray thee, give me thy hand, and feel how many
cheek teeth, or others, I want in this right side of the upper jaw; for there
I feel most pain.` Sancho put in his finger, and whilst he felt him, demanded,
`How many cheek teeth were you accustomed to have on this side?` `Four,` quoth
he, `besides the hindermost; all of them very whole and sound.` `See well what
you say, sir,` quoth Sancho. `I say four,` quoth Don Quixote, `if they were
not five; for I never in my life drew or lost any tooth, nor hath any fallen
or been worm - eaten or marred by any rheum.` `Well, then,` quoth Sancho, `you
have in this nether part but two cheek teeth and a half; and in the upper
neither a half, nor any; for all there is as plain as the palm of my hand.`
`Unfortunate I!` quoth Don Quixote, hearing the sorrowful news that his squire
told unto him, `for I had rather lose one of my arms, so it were not that of
my sword; for, Sancho, thou must wit, that a mouth without cheek teeth is like
a mill without a millstone; and a tooth is much more to be esteemed than a
diamond. But we which profess the rigorous laws of arms are subject to all
these disasters; wherefore mount, gentle friend, and give the way; for I will
follow thee what pace thou pleasest.` Sancho obeyed, and rode the way where he
thought he might find lodging, without leaving the highway, which was there
very much beaten. And, going thus by little and little (for Don Quixote his
pain of his jaws did not suffer him rest, or make overmuch haste), Sancho, to
entertain him and divert his thought by saying some things, began to aboard
him in the form we mean to rehearse in the chapter ensuing.
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