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The Fourth BookChapter II.
Chapter II.
Which Treats of the Discretion of the Beautiful Dorothea, and the Artificial
Manner Used to Dissuade the Amorous Knight from Continuing His Penance; and
How He Was Gotten Away; With Many Other Delightful and Pleasant Occurrences
This is, sirs, the true relation of my tragedy; see therefore, now, and
judge, whether the sighs you heard, the words to which you listened, and the
tears that gushed out at mine eyes, have not sufficient occasion to appear in
greater abundance; and, having considered the quality of my disgrace, you
shall perceive all comfort to be vain, seeing the remedy thereof is
impossible. Only I will request at your hands one favour, which you ought and
may easily grant, and is, that you will address me unto some place where I may
live secure from the fear and suspicion I have to be found by those which I
know do daily travel in my pursuit; for although I am sure that my parents`
great affection toward me doth warrant me to be kindly received and
entertained by them, yet the shame is so great that possesseth me, only to
think that I shall not return to their presence in that state which they
expect, as I account it far better to banish myself from their sight for ever,
than once to behold their face with the least suspicion that they again would
behold mine, divorced from that honesty which whilom my modest behaviour
promised.` Here she ended, and her face, suddenly overrun by a lovely scarlet,
perspicuously denoted the feeling and bashfulness of her soul.
The audients of her sad story felt great motions both of pity and
admiration for her misfortunes; and although the curate thought to comfort and
counsel her forthwith, yet was he prevented by Cardenio, who, taking her first
by the hand, said at last, `Lady, thou art the beautiful Dorothea, daughter
unto rich Clenardo.` Dorothea rested admired when she heard her father`s name,
and saw of how little value he seemed who had named him, for we have already
recounted how raggedly Cardenio was clothed; and therefore she said unto him,
And who art thou, friend, that knowest so well my father`s name? for until
this hour (if I have not forgotten myself) I did not once name him throughout
the whole discourse of my unfortunate tale.`
`I am,` answered Cardenio, `the unlucky knight whom Lucinda (as thou
saidst) affirmed to be her husband. I am the disastrous Cardenio, whom the
wicked proceeding of him that hath also brought thee to those terms wherein
thou art, hath conducted me to the state in which I am, and thou mayst behold
- ragged, naked, abandoned by all human comfort, and, what is worse, void of
sense, seeing I only enjoy it but at some few short times, and that when
Heaven pleaseth to lend it me. I am he, Dorothea, that was present at Don
Fernando`s unreasonable wedding, and that heard the consent which Lucinda gave
him to be his wife. I was he that had not the courage to stay and see the end
of her trance, or what became of the paper found in her bosom; for my soul had
not power or sufferance to behold so many misfortunes at once, and therefore
abandoned the place and my patience together, and only left a letter with mine
host, whom I entreated to deliver it into Lucinda her own hands, and then came
into these deserts, with resolution to end in them my miserable life, which,
since that hour, I have hated as my most mortal enemy; but fortune hath not
pleased to deprive me of it, thinking it sufficient to have impaired my wit,
perhaps reserving me for the good success befallen me now in finding of
yourself; for, that being true (as I believe it is) which you have here
discoursed, peradventure it may have reserved yet better hap for us both in
our disasters than we expect.
`For, presupposing that Lucinda cannot marry with Don Fernando, because
she is mine, nor Don Fernando with her, because yours, and that she hath
declared so manifestly the same, we may well hope that Heaven hath means to
restore to every one that which is his own, seeing it yet consists in being
not made away or annihilated. And seeing this comfort remains, not sprung from
any very remote hope, nor founded on idle surmises, I request thee, fair lady,
to take another resolution in thine honourable thought, seeing I mean to do it
in mine, and let us accommodate ourselves to expect better success; for I do
vow unto thee, by the faith of a gentleman and Christian, not to forsake thee
until I see thee in Don Fernando`s possession; and when I shall not, by
reasons, be able to induce him to acknowledge how far he rests indebted to
thee, then will I use the liberty granted to me as a gentleman, and with just
title challenge him to the field in respect of the wrong he hath done unto
thee, forgetting wholly mine own injuries, whose revenge I will leave to
Heaven, that I may be able to right yours on earth.`
Dorothea rested wonderfully admired, having known and heard Cardenio,
and, ignoring what competent thanks she might return him in satisfaction of
his large offers, she cast herself down at his feet to have kissed them, which
Cardenio would not permit; and the licentiate answered for both, praising
greatly Cardenio`s discourse, and chiefly entreated, prayed, and counselled
them, that they would go with him to his village, where they might fit
themselves with such things as they wanted, and also take order how to search
out Don Fernando, or carry Dorothea to her father`s house, or do else what
they deemed most convenient. Cardenio and Dorothea gratified his courtesies,
and accepted the favour he preferred. The barber also, who had stood all the
while silent and suspended, made them a pretty discourse, with as friendly an
offer of himself and his service as master curate, and likewise did briefly
relate the occasion of their coming thither with the extravagant kind of
madness which Don Quixote had, and how they expected now his squire`s return,
whom they had sent to search for him. Cardenio having heard him named,
remembered presently, as in a dream, the conflict passed between them both,
and recounted it unto them, but could not in any wise call to mind the
occasion thereof.
By this time they heard one call for them, and knew by the voice that it
was Sancho Panza`s, who, because he found them not in the place where he had
left them, cried out for them as loudly as he might. They went to meet him,
and demanding for Don Quixote, he answered that he found him all naked to his
shirt, lean, yellow, almost dead for hunger, and sighing for his Lady
Dulcinea; and although he had told him how she commanded him to repair
presently to Toboso, where she expected him, yet notwithstanding, he answered
that he was determined never to appear before her beauty until he had done
feats that should make him worthy of her gracious favour. And then the squire
affirmed, if that humour passed on any further, he feared his lord would be in
danger never to become an emperor, as he was bound in honour, no, nor a
cardinal, which was the least that could be expected of him
The licentiate bid him be of good cheer, for they would bring him from
thence whether he would or no; and recounted to Cardenio and Dorothea what
they had bethought for Don Quixote`s remedy, or, at least, for the carrying
him home to his house. To that Dorothea answered that she would counterfeit
the distressed lady better than the barber, and chiefly seeing she had apparel
wherewithal to act it most naturally, and therefore desired them to leave to
her charge the representing of all that which should be needful for the
achieving of their design; for she had read many books of knighthood, and knew
well the style that distressed damsels used when they requested any favour of
knights - adventures. `And then need we nothing else,` quoth the curate, `but
only to put our purpose presently in execution; for, questionless, good
success turns on our side, seeing it hath so unexpectedly begun already to
open the gates of your remedy, and hath also facilitated for us that whereof
we had most necessity in this exigent.` Dorothea took forthwith out of her
pillow - bear a whole gown of very rich stuff, and a short mantle of another
green stuff, and a collar, and many other rich jewels out of a box,
wherewithal she adorned herself in a trice so gorgeously as she seemed a very
rich and goodly lady. All which, and much more, she had brought with her, as
she said, from her house, to prevent what might happen, but never had any use
of them until then. Her grace, gesture, and beauty liked them all extremely,
and made them account Don Fernando to be a man of little understanding, seeing
he contemned such feature. But he which was most of all admired was Sancho
Panza, because, as he thought (and it was so indeed), that he had not in all
the days of his life before seen so fair a creature; and he requested the
curate, very seriously, to tell him who that beautiful lady was, and what she
sought among those thoroughfares. `This fair lady, friend Sancho,` answered
the curate, `is (as if a man said nothing she is so great) heir - apparent, by
direct line, of the mighty kingdom of Micomicon, and comes in the search of
your lord, to demand a boon of him, which is, that he will destroy and undo a
great wrong done unto her by a wicked giant; and, through the great fame which
is spread over all Guinea of your lord`s prowess, this princess is come to
find him out.` `A happy searcher, and a fortunate finding!` quoth Sancho; `and
chiefly, if my master be so happy as to right that injury and redress that
wrong by killing that, O! the mighty lubber of a giant whom you say. Yes, he
will kill him, I am very certain, if he can once but meet him, and if he be
not a spirit, for my master hath no kind of power over spirits. But I must
request one favour of you among others most earnestly, good master licentiate,
and it is, that to the end my lord may not take an humour of becoming a
cardinal (which is the thing I fear most in this world), that you will give
him counsel to marry this princess presently, and by that means he shall
remain incapable of the dignity of a cardinal, and will come very easily by
his empire, and I to the end of my desires; for I have thought well of the
matter, and have found that it is in no wise expedient that my lord should
become a cardinal; for I am wholly unfit for any ecclesiastical dignity,
seeing I am a married man, and therefore, to trouble myself now with seeking
of dispensations to enjoy church livings, having, as I have, both wife and
children, were never to end. `So that all my good consists in that my lord do
marry this princess instantly, whose name yet I know not, and therefore I have
not said it.` `She is hight,` quoth the curate, `the Princess Micomicona; for
her kingdom being called Micomicon, it is evident she must be termed so.`
`That is questionless,` quoth Sancho; `for I have known many to take
their denomination and surname from the place of their birth, calling
themselves Peter of Alcala, John of Ubeda, and James of Valladolid; and
perhaps in Guinea princes and queens use the same custom, and call themselves
by the names of their provinces.`
`So I think,` quoth the curate; `and as touching your master`s marriage
with her, I will labour therein as much as lies in my power.` Wherewithal
Sancho remained as well satisfied as the curate admired at his simplicity, and
to see how firmly he had fixed in his fantasy the very ravings of his master,
seeing he did believe without doubt that his lord should become an emperor.
Dorothea in this space had gotten upon the curate`s mule, and the barber had
somewhat better fitted the beard which he made of the ox`s tail on his face,
and did after entreat Sancho to guide them to the place where Don Quixote was,
and advertised him withal that he should in no wise take any notice of the
curate or barber, or confess in any sort that he knew them, for therein
consisted all the means of bringing Don Quixote to the mind to become an
emperor. Yet Cardenio would not go with them, fearing lest thereby Don Quixote
might call to mind their contention; and the curate, thinking also that his
presence was not expedient, remained with him, letting the others go before,
and these followed afar off fair and softly on foot; and ere they departed,
the curate instructed Dorothea anew what she should say, who bid him to fear
nothing, for she would discharge her part to his satisfaction, and as books of
chivalry required and laid down.
They travelled about three - quarters of a league, as they espied the
knight, and at last they discovered him am ng a number of intricate rocks, all
apparelled, but not armed; and as soon as Dorothea beheld him, she struck her
palfrey, her well - bearded barber following her; and as they approached Don
Quixote, the barber leaped lightly down from his mule and ran towards Dorothea
to take her down between his arms, who, alighting, went with a very good grace
towards Don Quixote, and kneeled before him. And although he strived to make
her arise, yet she, remaining still on her knees, spake to him in this manner:
`I will not arise from hence, thrice valorous and approved knight, until your
bounty and courtesy shall grant unto me one boon, which shall much redound
unto your honour and prize of your person, and to the profit of the most
disconsolate and wronged damsel that the sun hath ever seen. And if it be so
that the valour of your invincible arm be correspondent to the bruit of your
immortal fame, you are obliged to succour this comfortless wight that comes
from lands so remote, to the sound of your famous name, searching you for to
remedy her mishaps.`
[See Fell To Her Knees: She immediately fell down on her knees before him.]
`I will not answer you a word, fair lady,` quoth Don Quixote, `nor hear a
jot of your affair, until you arise from the ground.` `I will not get up from
hence, my lord` quoth the afflicted lady, `if first, of your wonted bounty,
you do not grant to my request.` `I do give and grant it,` said Don Quixote,
`so that it be not a thing that may turn to the damagi or hindrance of my
king, my country, or of her that keeps the key of my heart and liberty.` `It
shall not turn to the damage or hindrance of those you have said, good sir,`
replied the dolorous damsel; and, as she was saying this, Sancho Panza rounded
his lord in the ear, saying softly to him, `Sir, you may very well grant the
request she asketh, for it is a matter of nothing; it is only to kill a
monstrous giant, and she that demands it is the mighty Princess Micomicona,
queen of the great kingdom of Micomicon in Ethiopia.` `Let her be what she
will,` quoth Don Quixote, `for I will accomplish what I am bound, and my
conscience shall inform me conformable to the state I have professed.` And
then, turning to the damsel, he said, `Let your great beauty arise; for I
grant to you any boon which you shall please to ask of me.` `Why, then,` quoth
the damsel, `that which I demand is that your magnanimous person come
presently away with me to the place where I shall carry you, and do likewise
make me a promise not to undertake any other adventure or demand until you
revenge me upon a traitor who hath, against all laws, both divine and human,
usurped my kingdom.` `I say that I grant you all that,` quoth Don Quixote;
`and therefore, lady, you may cast away from this day forward all the
melancholy that troubles you, and labour that your languishing and dismayed
hopes may recover again new strength and courage; for, by the help of God, and
that of mine arm, you shall see yourself shortly restored to your kingdom, and
enthroned in the chair of your ancient and great estate, in despite and maugre
the traitors that shall dare gainsay it: and therefore, hands, to the work;
for they say that danger always follows delay.` The distressed damsel strove
with much ado to kiss his hand, but Don Quixote, who was a most accomplished
knight of courtesy, would never condescend thereunto; but, making her arise,
he embraced her with great kindness and respect, and commanded Sancho to
saddle Rozinante, and help him to arm himself.
Sancho took down the arms forthwith, which hung on a tree like trophies,
and, searching the girths, armed his lord in a moment, who, seeing himself
armed, said, `Let us, in God`s name, depart from hence to assist this great
lady,` The barber kneeled all this while, and could with much ado dissemble
his laughter, or keep on his beard that threatened still to fall off, with
whose fall, perhaps, they should all have remained without bringing their good
purpose to pass. And seeing that the boon was granted, and noted the diligence
wherewithal Don Quixote made himself ready to depart and accomplish the same,
he arose and took his lady by the hand, and both of them together holp her
upon her mule: and presently after Don Quixote leaped on Rozinante, and the
barber got on his beast, Sancho only remaining afoot, where he afresh renewed
the memory of the loss of his grey ass, with the want procured to him thereby;
but all this he bore with very great patience, because he supposed that his
lord was now in the way and next degree to be an emperor; for he made an
infallible account that he would marry that princess, and at least be king of
Micomicon. But yet it grieved him to think how that kingdom was in the country
of black Moors, and that therefore the nation which should be given to him for
his vassals should be all black, for which difficulty his imagination coined
presently a good remedy, and he discoursed with himself in this manner: `Why
should I care though my subjects be all black Moors? Is there any more to be
done than to load them in a ship and bring them into Spain, where I may sell
them, and receive the price of them in ready money? And with that money may I
buy some title or office, wherein I may after live at mine ease all the days
of my life. No! but sleep, and have no wit or ability to dispose of things;
and to sell thirty or ten thousands vassals in the space that one would say,
Give me those straws. I will despatch them all; they shall fly, the little
with the great, or as I can best contrive the matter; and be they ever so
black, I will transform them into white or yellow ones. Come near, and see
whether I cannot suck well my fingers` ends`. And thus he travelled, so
solicitous and glad as he quite forgot his pain of travelling afoot. Cardenio
and the curate stood in the meantime beholding all that passed from behind
some brambles where they lay lurking, and were in doubt what means to use to
issue and join in company with them. But the curate, who was an ingenious and
prompt plotter, devised instantly what was to be done that they might attain
their desire. Thus, he took out of his case a pair of shears, and cut off
Cardenio`s beard therewithal in a trice, and then gave unto him to wear a
riding capouch which he himself had on, and a black cloak, and himself walked
in a doubles and hose. Cardenio, thus attired, looked so unlike that he was
before, as he would not have known himself in a looking - glass. This being
finished, and the others gone on before whilst they disguised themselves, they
sallied out with facility to the highway before Don Quixote or his company;
for the rocks and many other bad passages did not permit those that were a -
horseback to make so speedy an end of their journey as they. And having
thoroughly passed the mountain, they expected at the foot thereof for the
knight and his company, who when he appeared, the curate looked on him very
earnestly for a great space, with inkling that he began to know him. And after
he had a good while beheld him, he ran towards him with his arms spread
abroad, saying, `In a good hour be the mirror of all knighthood found, and my
noble countryman, Don Quixote of the Mancha! the flower and cream of
gentility, the shadow and remedy of the afflicted, and the quintessence of
knights - errant!` and, saying this, he held Don Quixote his left thigh
embraced; who, admiring at that which he heard that man to say and do, did
also review him with attention, and finally knew him, and, all amazed to see
him, made much ado to alight; but the curate would not permit him. Wherefore
Don Quixote said, `Good master licentiate, permit me to alight; for it is in
no sort decent that I be a - horseback, and so reverend a person as you go on
foot.` `I will never consent thereunto,` quoth the curate; `your highness must
needs stay on horseback, seeing that thereon you are accustomed to achieve the
greatest feasts of chivalry and adventures which were ever seen in our age.
For it shall suffice me, who am an unworthy priest, to get up behind some one
of these other gentlemen that ride in your company, if they will not take it
in bad part; yea, and I will make account that I ride on Pegasus, or the zebra
of the famous Moor Muzaraque, who lies yet enchanted in the steep rock of
Zulema, near unto Alcala of Henares.`
`Truly, I did not think upon it, good master licentiate,` answered Don
Quixote; `yet, I presume, my lady the princess will be well apaid, for my
sake, to command her squire to lend you the use of his saddle, and to get up
himself on the crupper, if so it be that the beast will bear double.` `Yes,
that it will,` said the princess, `for aught I know; and likewise, I am sure,
it will not be necessary to command my squire to alight, for he is of himself
so courteous and courtly as he will in no wise condescend that an
ecclesiastical man should go on foot when he may help him to a horse.`
`That is most certain,` quoth the barber; and, saying so, he alighted,
and entreated the curate to take the saddle, to which courtesy he did easily
condescend. But, by evil fortune, as the barber thought to leap up behind him,
the mule, which was in effect a hired one, and that is sufficient to say it
was unhappy, did lift a little her hinder quarters, and bestowed two or three
flings on the air, which had they hit on Master his breast or pate, he would
have bequeathed the quest of Don Quixote upon the devil. But, notwithstanding,
the barber was so affrighted as he fell on the ground, with so little heed of
his beard as it fell quite off and lay spread upon the ground; and, perceiving
himself without it, he had no other shift but to cover his face with both his
hands, and complain that all his cheek teeth were strucken out. Don Quixote,
beholding such a great sheaf of a beard fallen away, without jaw or blood,
from the face, he said, `I vow this is one of the greatest miracles that ever
I saw in my life; it hath taken and plucked away his beard as smoothly as if
it were done of purpose.` The curate beholding the danger which their
invention was like to incur if it were detected, went forthwith, and, taking
up the beard, came to Master Nicholas, that lay still a - playing, and, with
one push, bringing his head towards his own breast, he set it on again,
murmuring the while over him certain words, which he said were a certain
prayer appropriated to the setting on of fallen beards, as they should soon
perceive; and so, having set it on handsomely, the squire remained as well
bearded and whole as ever he was in his life. Whereat Don Quixote rested
marvelously admired, and requested the curate to teach him that prayer when
they were at leisure; for he supposed that the virtue thereof extended itself
further than to the fastening on of beards, since it was manifest that the
place whence the beard was torn must have remained without flesh, wounded, and
ill dight, and, seeing it cured all, it must of force serve for more than the
beard. `It is true,` replied master curate; and then promised to instruct him
with the secret with the first opportunity that was presented.
Then they agreed that the curate should ride first on the mule, and after
him the other two, each one by turns until they arrived to the inn, which was
about some two leagues thence. Three being thus mounted (to wit, Don Quixote,
the princess, and curate), and the other three on foot (Cardenio, the barber,
and Sancho Panza), Don Quixote said to the damsel, `Madam, let me entreat your
highness to lead me the way that most pleaseth you.` And before she could
answer, the licentiate said, `Towards what kingdom would you travel? Is it, by
fortune, towards that of Micomicon? I suppose it should be thitherwards, or
else I know but little of kingdoms.` She, who knew very well the curate`s
meaning, and was herself no babe, answered, saying, `Yes, sir, my way lies
towards the kingdom.` `If it be so,` quoth the curate, `you must pass through
the village where I dwell, and from thence direct your course towards
Carthagena, where you may luckily embark yourselves. And if you have a
prosperous wind, and a quiet and calm sea, you may come within the space of
nine years to the sight of the Lake Meona, I mean Meolidas, which stands on
this side of your highness` kingdom some hundred days` journey, or more.` `I
take you to be deceived, good sir,` quoth she, `for it is not yet fully two
years since I departed from thence, and, truly, I never almost had any fair
weather, and yet, notwithstanding, I have arrived, and come to see that which
I so much longed for, to wit, the presence of the worthy Don Quixote of the
Mancha, whose renown came to my notice as soon as I touched the earth of Spain
with my foot, and moved me to search for him, to commend myself to his
courtesy, and commit the justice of my cause to the valour of his invincible
arm.`
`No more,` quoth Don Quixote; `I cannot abide to hear myself praised, for
I am a sworn enemy of all adulation; and although this be not such, yet
notwithstanding the like discourses do offend my chaste ears. What I can say
to you, fair princess, is that whether I have valour or not, that which I
have, or have not, shall be employed in your service, even to the very loss of
my life. And so, omitting that till this time, let me entreat good master
licentiate to tell me the occasion which hath brought him here to these
quarters, so alone, without attendants, and so slightly attired, as it strikes
me in no little admiration?` `To this I will answer with brevity,` quote the
curate. `You shall understand that Master Nicholas the barber, our very good
friend, and myself, travelled towards Seville to recover certain sums of money
which a kinsman of mine, who hath dwelt these many years in the Indies, hath
sent unto me. The sum is not a little one, for it surmounted seventy thousand
reals of eight, all good weight - see if it was not a rich gift. And passing
yesterday through this way, we were set upon by four robbers, which despoiled
us of all, even to our very beards, and that in such sort as the barber was
forced to set on a counterfeit one; and this young man that goeth here with
us` (meaning Cardenio) `was transformed by them anew. And the best of it is
that it is publicly bruited about all this commark that those which surprised
us were galley - slaves who were set at liberty, as is reported, much about
this same place, by so valiant a knight as, in despite of the commissary and
the guard, he freed them all. And, questionless, he either was wood, or else
as great a knave as themselves, or some one that wanted both soul and
conscience, seeing he let slip the wolves amidst the sheep, the fox among the
hens, and flies hard by honey, and did frustrate justice, rebel against his
natural lord and king; for he did so by oppugning his just commandments; and
hath deprived the galleys of their feet, and set all the holy brotherhood in
an uproar, which hath reposed these many years past; and finally, would do an
act by which he should lose his soul, and yet no gain his body.` Sancho had
rehearsed to the curate and barber the adventure of the slaves, which his lord
had accomplished with such glory; and therefore the curate did use this
vehemence as he repeated it, to see what Don Quixote would say or do, whose
colour changed at every word, and durstnot confess that he was himself the
deliverer of that good people. `And these,` quoth the curate, `were they that
have robbed us. And God, of His infinite mercy, pardon him who hindered their
going to receive the punishment they had so well deserved!`
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