BythetimeCervanteshadgothisvolumeofnovelsoffhishands，andsummonedupresolutionenoughtosetabouttheSecondPartinearnest，thecasewasverymuchaltered。DonQuixoteandSanchoPanzahadnotmerelyfoundfavour，buthadalreadybecome，whattheyhaveneversinceceasedtobe，veritableentitiestothepopularimagination。Therewasnooccasionforhimnowtointerpolateextraneousmatter；nay，hisreaderstoldhimplainlythatwhattheywantedofhimwasmoreDonQuixoteandmoreSanchoPanza，andnotnovels，tales，ordigressions。Tohimself，too，hiscreationshadbecomerealities，andhehadbecomeproudofthem，especiallyofSancho。HebegantheSecondPart，therefore，underverydifferentconditions，andthedifferencemakesitselfmanifestatonce。Evenintranslationthestylewillbeseentobefareasier，moreflowing，morenatural，andmorelikethatofamansureofhimselfandofhisaudience。DonQuixoteandSanchoundergoachangealso。IntheFirstPart，DonQuixotehasnocharacterorindividualitywhatever。Heisnothingmorethanacrazyrepresentativeofthesentimentsofthechivalryromances。Inallthathesaysanddoesheissimplyrepeatingthelessonhehaslearnedfromhisbooks；andtherefore，itisabsurdtospeakofhiminthegushingstrainofthesentimentalcriticswhentheydilateuponhisnobleness，disinterestedness，dauntlesscourage，andsoforth。Itwasthebusinessofaknight-erranttorightwrongs，redressinjuries，andsuccourthedistressed，andthis，asamatterofcourse，hemakeshisbusinesswhenhetakesupthepart；aknight-errantwasboundtobeintrepid，andsohefeelsboundtocastfearaside。OfallByron'smelodiousnonsenseaboutDonQuixote，themostnonsensicalstatementisthat“'tishisvirtuemakeshimmad！”Theexactoppositeisthetruth；itishismadnessmakeshimvirtuous。
IntheSecondPart，Cervantesrepeatedlyremindsthereader，asifitwasapointuponwhichhewasanxiousthereshouldbenomistake，thathishero'smadnessisstrictlyconfinedtodelusionsonthesubjectofchivalry，andthatoneveryothersubjectheisdiscreto，one，infact，whosefacultyofdiscernmentisinperfectorder。TheadvantageofthisisthatheisenabledtomakeuseofDonQuixoteasamouthpieceforhisownreflections，andso，withoutseemingtodigress，allowhimselfthereliefofdigressionwhenherequiresit，asfreelyasinacommonplacebook。
ItistruetheamountofindividualitybestoweduponDonQuixoteisnotverygreat。Therearesomenaturaltouchesofcharacterabouthim，suchashismixtureofirascibilityandplacability，andhiscuriousaffectionforSanchotogetherwithhisimpatienceofthesquire'sloquacityandimpertinence；butinthemain，apartfromhiscraze，heislittlemorethanathoughtful，culturedgentleman，withinstinctivegoodtasteandagreatdealofshrewdnessandoriginalityofmind。
AstoSancho，itisplain，fromtheconcludingwordsoftheprefacetotheFirstPart，thathewasafavouritewithhiscreatorevenbeforehehadbeentakenintofavourbythepublic。Aninferiorgenius，takinghiminhandasecondtime，wouldverylikelyhavetriedtoimprovehimbymakinghimmorecomical，clever，amiable，orvirtuous。ButCervanteswastootrueanartisttospoilhisworkinthisway。Sancho，whenhereappears，istheoldSanchowiththeoldfamiliarfeatures；butwithadifference；theyhavebeenbroughtoutmoredistinctly，butatthesametimewithacarefulavoidanceofanythinglikecaricature；theoutlinehasbeenfilledinwherefillinginwasnecessary，and，vivifiedbyafewtouchesofamaster'shand，SanchostandsbeforeusashemightinacharacterportraitbyVelazquez。HeisamuchmoreimportantandprominentfigureintheSecondPartthanintheFirst；indeed，itishismatchlessmendacityaboutDulcineathattoagreatextentsuppliestheactionofthestory。
Hisdevelopmentinthisrespectisasremarkableasinanyother。IntheFirstParthedisplaysagreatnaturalgiftoflying。Hisliesarenotofthehighlyimaginativesortthatliarsinfictioncommonlyindulgein；likeFalstaff's，theyresemblethefatherthatbegetsthem；theyaresimple，homely，plumplies；plainworkinglies，inshort。ButintheserviceofsuchamasterasDonQuixotehedevelopsrapidly，asweseewhenhecomestopalmoffthethreecountrywenchesasDulcineaandherladiesinwaiting。Itisworthnoticinghow，flushedbyhissuccessinthisinstance，heistemptedafterwardstotryaflightbeyondhispowersinhisaccountofthejourneyonClavileno。
IntheSecondPartitisthespiritratherthantheincidentsofthechivalryromancesthatisthesubjectoftheburlesque。EnchantmentsofthesorttravestiedinthoseofDulcineaandtheTrifaldiandthecaveofMontesinosplayaleadingpartinthelaterandinferiorromances，andanotherdistinguishingfeatureiscaricaturedinDonQuixote'sblindadorationofDulcinea。Intheromancesofchivalryloveiseitheramereanimalismorafantasticidolatry。Onlyacoarse-mindedmanwouldcaretomakemerrywiththeformer，buttooneofCervantes'humourthelatterwasnaturallyanattractivesubjectforridicule。Likeeverythingelseintheseromances，itisagrossexaggerationoftherealsentimentofchivalry，butitspeculiarextravaganceisprobablyduetotheinfluenceofthosemastersofhyperbole，theProvencalpoets。Whenatroubadourprofessedhisreadinesstoobeyhisladyinallthings，hemadeitincumbentuponthenextcomer，ifhewishedtoavoidtheimputationoftamenessandcommonplace，todeclarehimselftheslaveofherwill，whichthenextwascompelledtocapbysomestillstrongerdeclaration；andsoexpressionsofdevotionwentonrisingoneabovetheotherlikebiddingsatanauction，andaconventionallanguageofgallantryandtheoryoflovecameintobeingthatintimepermeatedtheliteratureofSouthernEurope，andborefruit，inonedirectioninthetranscendentalworshipofBeatriceandLaura，andinanotherinthegrotesqueidolatrywhichfoundexponentsinwriterslikeFelicianodeSilva。ThisiswhatCervantesdealswithinDonQuixote'spassionforDulcinea，andinnoinstancehashecarriedouttheburlesquemorehappily。BykeepingDulcineainthebackground，andmakingheravagueshadowybeingofwhoseveryexistenceweareleftindoubt，heinvestsDonQuixote'sworshipofhervirtuesandcharmswithanadditionalextravagance，andgivesstillmorepointtothecaricatureofthesentimentandlanguageoftheromances。
Oneofthegreatmeritsof“DonQuixote，“andoneofthequalitiesthathavesecureditsacceptancebyallclassesofreadersandmadeitthemostcosmopolitanofbooks，isitssimplicity。Thereare，ofcourse，pointsobviousenoughtoaSpanishseventeenthcenturyaudiencewhichdonotimmediatelystrikeareadernow-a-days，andCervantesoftentakesitforgrantedthatanallusionwillbegenerallyunderstoodwhichisonlyintelligibletoafew。Forexample，onmanyofhisreadersinSpain，andmostofhisreadersoutofit，thesignificanceofhischoiceofacountryforhisheroiscompletelylost。Itwouldhegoingtoofartosaythatnoonecanthoroughlycomprehend“DonQuixote“withouthavingseenLaMancha，butundoubtedlyevenaglimpseofLaManchawillgiveaninsightintothemeaningofCervantessuchasnocommentatorcangive。OfalltheregionsofSpainitisthelastthatwouldsuggesttheideaofromance。OfallthedullcentralplateauofthePeninsulaitisthedullesttract。ThereissomethingimpressiveaboutthegrimsolitudesofEstremadura；andiftheplainsofLeonandOldCastilearebaldanddreary，theyarestuddedwitholdcitiesrenownedinhistoryandrichinrelicsofthepast。ButthereisnoredeemingfeatureintheMancheganlandscape；ithasallthesamenessofthedesertwithoutitsdignity；thefewtownsandvillagesthatbreakitsmonotonyaremeanandcommonplace，thereisnothingvenerableaboutthem，theyhavenoteventhepicturesquenessofpoverty；indeed，DonQuixote'sownvillage，Argamasilla，hasasortofoppressiverespectabilityintheprimregularityofitsstreetsandhouses；
everythingisignoble；theverywindmillsaretheugliestandshabbiestofthewindmillkind。
Toanyonewhoknewthecountrywell，themerestyleandtitleof“DonQuixoteofLaMancha“gavethekeytotheauthor'smeaningatonce。LaManchaastheknight'scountryandsceneofhischivalriesisofapiecewiththepasteboardhelmet，thefarm-laboureronass-backforasquire，knighthoodconferredbyarascallyventero，convictstakenforvictimsofoppression，andtherestoftheincongruitiesbetweenDonQuixote'sworldandtheworldhelivedin，betweenthingsashesawthemandthingsastheywere。
Itisstrangethatthiselementofincongruity，underlyingthewholehumourandpurposeofthebook，shouldhavebeensolittleheededbythemajorityofthosewhohaveundertakentointerpret“DonQuixote。“Ithasbeencompletelyoverlooked，forexample，bytheillustrators。Tobesure，thegreatmajorityoftheartistswhoillustrated“DonQuixote“knewnothingwhateverofSpain。Tothemaventaconveyednoideabuttheabstractoneofaroadsideinn，andtheycouldnotthereforedofulljusticetothehumourofDonQuixote'smisconceptionintakingitforacastle，orperceivetheremotenessofallitsrealitiesfromhisideal。Butevenwhenbetterinformedtheyseemtohavenoapprehensionofthefullforceofthediscrepancy。Take，forinstance，GustaveDore'sdrawingofDonQuixotewatchinghisarmourintheinn-yard。WhetherornottheVentadeQuesadaontheSevilleroadis，astraditionmaintains，theinndescribedin“DonQuixote，“beyondallquestionitwasjustsuchaninn-yardastheonebehinditthatCervanteshadinhismind'seye，anditwasonjustsucharudestonetroughasthatbesidetheprimitivedraw-wellinthecornerthathemeantDonQuixotetodeposithisarmour。GustaveDoremakesitanelaboratefountainsuchasnoarrieroeverwateredhismulesatinthecorralofanyventainSpain，andtherebyentirelymissesthepointaimedatbyCervantes。Itisthemean，prosaic，commonplacecharacterofallthesurroundingsandcircumstancesthatgivesasignificancetoDonQuixote'svigilandtheceremonythatfollows。
Cervantes'humourisforthemostpartofthatbroaderandsimplersort，thestrengthofwhichliesintheperceptionoftheincongruous。
ItistheincongruityofSanchoinallhisways，words，andworks，withtheideasandaimsofhismaster，quiteasmuchasthewonderfulvitalityandtruthtonatureofthecharacter，thatmakeshimthemosthumorouscreationinthewholerangeoffiction。ThatunsmilinggravityofwhichCervanteswasthefirstgreatmaster，“Cervantes'seriousair，“whichsitsnaturallyonSwiftalone，perhaps，oflaterhumourists，isessentialtothiskindofhumour，andhereagainCervanteshassufferedatthehandsofhisinterpreters。
Nothing，unlessindeedthecoarsebuffooneryofPhillips，couldbemoreoutofplaceinanattempttorepresentCervantes，thanaflippant，would-befacetiousstyle，likethatofMotteux'sversionforexample，orthesprightly，jauntyair，Frenchtranslatorssometimesadopt。Itisthegravematter-of-factnessofthenarrative，andtheapparentunconsciousnessoftheauthorthatheissayinganythingludicrous，anythingbutthemerestcommonplace，thatgiveitspeculiarflavourtothehumourofCervantes。His，infact，istheexactoppositeofthehumourofSterneandtheself-conscioushumourists。
EvenwhenUncleTobyisathisbest，youarealwaysawareof“themanSterne“behindhim，watchingyouoverhisshouldertoseewhateffectheisproducing。CervantesalwaysleavesyoualonewithDonQuixoteandSancho。HeandSwiftandthegreathumouristsalwayskeepthemselvesoutofsight，or，moreproperlyspeaking，neverthinkaboutthemselvesatall，unlikeourlatter-dayschoolofhumourists，whoseemtohaverevivedtheoldhorse-collarmethod，andtrytoraisealaughbysomegrotesqueassumptionofignorance，imbecility，orbadtaste。
ItistruethattodofulljusticetoSpanishhumourinanyotherlanguageiswell-nighanimpossibility。ThereisanaturalgravityandasonorousstatelinessaboutSpanish，beiteversocolloquial，thatmakeanabsurditydoublyabsurd，andgiveplausibilitytothemostpreposterousstatement。ThisiswhatmakesSanchoPanza'sdrollerythedespairoftheconscientioustranslator。Sancho'scurtcommentscanneverfallflat，buttheylosehalftheirflavourwhentransferredfromtheirnativeCastilianintoanyothermedium。ButifforeignershavefailedtodojusticetothehumourofCervantes，theyarenoworsethanhisowncountrymen。Indeed，wereitnotfortheSpanishpeasant'srelishof“DonQuixote，“onemightbetemptedtothinkthatthegreathumouristwasnotlookeduponasahumouristatallinhisowncountry。
ThecrazeofDonQuixoteseems，insomeinstances，tohavecommunicateditselftohiscritics，makingthemseethingsthatarenotinthebookandrunfulltiltatphantomsthathavenoexistencesaveintheirownimaginations。Likeagoodmanycriticsnow-a-days，theyforgetthatscreamsarenotcriticism，andthatitisonlyvulgartastesthatareinfluencedbystringsofsuperlatives，three-piledhyperboles，andpompousepithets。Butwhatstrikesoneasparticularlystrangeisthatwhiletheydealinextravaganteulogies，andascribeallmannerofimaginaryideasandqualitiestoCervantes，theyshownoperceptionofthequalitythatninety-nineoutofahundredofhisreaderswouldratehighestinhim，andholdtobetheonethatraiseshimaboveallrivalry。
Tospeakof“DonQuixote“asifitweremerelyahumorousbookwouldbeamanifestmisdescription。Cervantesattimesmakesitakindofcommonplacebookforoccasionalessaysandcriticisms，orfortheobservationsandreflectionsandgatheredwisdomofalongandstirringlife。Itisamineofshrewdobservationonmankindandhumannature。Amongmodernnovelstheremaybe，hereandthere，moreelaboratestudiesofcharacter，butthereisnobookricherinindividualisedcharacter。WhatColeridgesaidofShakespeareinminimisistrueofCervantes；henever，evenforthemosttemporarypurpose，putsforwardalayfigure。Thereislifeandindividualityinallhischaracters，howeverlittletheymayhavetodo，orhowevershortatimetheymaybebeforethereader。SamsonCarrasco，thecurate，TeresaPanza，Altisidora，eventhetwostudentsmetontheroadtothecaveofMontesinos，allliveandmoveandhavetheirbeing；anditischaracteristicofthebroadhumanityofCervantesthatthereisnotahatefuloneamongthemall。EvenpoorMaritornes，withherdeplorablemorals，hasakindheartofherownand“somefaintanddistantresemblancetoaChristianabouther；“andasforSancho，thoughondissectionwefailtofindalovabletraitinhim，unlessitbeasortofdog-likeaffectionforhismaster，whoistherethatinhisheartdoesnotlovehim？
Butitis，afterall，thehumourof“DonQuixote“thatdistinguishesitfromallotherbooksoftheromancekind。Itisthisthatmakesit，asoneofthemostjudicial-mindedofmoderncriticscallsit，“thebestnovelintheworldbeyondallcomparison。“Itisitsvariedhumour，rangingfrombroadfarcetocomedyassubtleasShakespeare'sorMoliere'sthathasnaturaliseditineverycountrywheretherearereaders，andmadeitaclassicineverylanguagethathasaliterature。
SOMECOMMENDATORYVERSES
URGANDATHEUNKNOWN
TothebookofDonQuixoteoflaManchaIftobewelcomedbythegood，OBook！thoumakethysteadyaim，NoemptychattererwilldareToquestionordisputethyclaim。
ButifperchancethouhastamindTowinofidiotsapprobation，Lostlabourwillbethyreward，Thoughthey'llpretendappreciation。
TheysayagoodlyshadehefindsWhoshelters'neathagoodlytree；
AndsuchaonethykindlystarInBejarbathprovidedthee：
AroyaltreewhosespreadingboughsAshowofprincelyfruitdisplay；
AtreethatbearsanobleDuke，TheAlexanderofhisday。
OfaManchegangentlemanThypurposeistotellthestory，RelatinghowhelosthiswitsO'eridletalesofloveandglory，Of“ladies，arms，andcavaliers：“
AnewOrlandoFurioso-
Innamorato，rather-whoWonDulcineadelToboso。
Putnovainemblemsonthyshield；
Allfigures-thatisbraggingplay。
Amodestdedicationmake，Andgivenoscofferroomtosay，“What！AlvarodeLunahere？
OrisitHannibalagain？
OrdoesKingFrancisatMadridOncemoreofdestinycomplain？”
SinceHeavenithathnotpleasedontheeDeeperuditiontobestow，OrblackLatino'sgiftoftongues，NoLatinletthypagesshow。
Apenotphilosophyorwit，Lestonewhocannotcomprehend，Makeawryfaceattheeandask，“Whyofferflowerstome，myfriend？”
Benotameddler；noaffairOfthinethelifethyneighbourslead：
Beprudent；ofttherandomjestRecoilsuponthejester'shead。
ThyconstantlabourletitbeToearnthyselfanhonestname，ForfooleriespreservedinprintAreperpetuityofshame。
Afurthercounselbearinmind：
Ifthatthyroofbemadeofglass，ItshowssmallwittopickupstonesTopeltthepeopleastheypass。
Wintheattentionofthewise，Andgivethethinkerfoodforthought；
Whosoinditesfrivolities，Willbutbysimpletonsbesought。
AMADISOFGAUL
ToDonQuixoteoflaManchaSONNET
ThouthatdidstimitatethatlifeofmineWhenIinlonelysadnessonthegreatRockPenaPobresatdisconsolate，Inself-imposedpenancetheretopine；
Thou，whosesolebeveragewasthebitterbrineOfthineowntears，andwhowithoutenplateOfsilver，copper，tin，inlowlystateOffthebareearthandonearth'sfruitsdidstdine；
Livethou，ofthineeternalglorysure。
SolongasontheroundofthefourthsphereThebrightApolloshallhiscourserssteer，Inthyrenownthoushaltremainsecure，Thycountry'snameinstoryshallendure，Andthysageauthorstandwithoutapeer。
DONBELIANISOFGREECE
ToDonQuixoteoflaManchaSONNET
Inslashing，hewing，cleaving，wordanddeed，Iwastheforemostknightofchivalry，Stout，bold，expert，ase'ertheworlddidsee；
Thousandsfromtheoppressor'swrongIfreed；
Greatweremyfeats，eternalfametheirmeed；
InloveIprovedmytruthandloyalty；
Thehugestgiantwasadwarfforme；
Evertoknighthood'slawsgaveIgoodheed。
MymasterytheFickleGoddessowned，AndevenChance，submittingtocontrol，Graspedbytheforelock，yieldedtomywill。
Yet-thoughaboveyonhornedmoonenthronedMyfortuneseemstosit-greatQuixote，stillEnvyofthyachievementsfillsmysoul。
THELADYOFORIANA
ToDulcineadelTobosoSONNET
Oh，fairestDulcinea，coulditbe！
Itwereapleasantfancytosupposeso-
CouldMirafloreschangetoElToboso，AndLondon'stowntothatwhichsheltersthee！
Oh，couldminebutacquirethatliveryOfcountlesscharmsthymindandbodyshowso！
Orhim，nowfamousgrown-thoumad'sthimgrowso-
Thyknight，insomedreadcombatcouldIsee！
Oh，couldIbereleasedfromAmadisByexerciseofsuchcoychastityAsledtheegentleQuixotetodismiss！
Thenwouldmyheavysorrowturntojoy；
NonewouldIenvy，allwouldenvyme，Andhappinessbeminewithoutalloy。
GANDALIN，SQUIREOFAMADISOFGAUL，ToSanchoPanza，squireofDonQuixoteSONNET
Allhail，illustriousman！Fortune，whensheBoundtheeapprenticetotheesquiretrade，Hercareandtendernessoftheedisplayed，Shapingthycoursefrommisadventurefree。
Nolongernowdothproudknight-errantryRegardwithscornthesickleandthespade；
OftoweringarrogancelesscountismadeThanofplainesquire-likesimplicity。
IenvytheethyDapple，andthyname，AndthosealforjasthouwastwonttostuffWithcomfortsthatthyprovidenceproclaim。
ExcellentSancho！hailtotheeagain！
TotheealonetheOvidofourSpainDoeshomagewiththerustickissandcuff。
FROMELDONOSO，THEMOTLEYPOET，OnSanchoPanzaandRocinanteONSANCHO
IamtheesquireSanchoPan-
WhoservedDonQuixoteofLaMan-；
ButfromhisserviceIretreat-，Resolvedtopassmylifediscreet-；
ForVilladiego，calledtheSi-，Maintainedthatonlyinreti-
Wasfoundthesecretofwell-be-，Accordingtothe“Celesti-：“
Abookdivine，exceptforsin-
Byspeechtooplain，inmyopin-
ONROCINANTE
IamthatRocinantefa-，Great-grandsonofgreatBabie-，Who，allforbeingleanandbon-，HadoneDonQuixoteforanown-；
ButifImatchedhimwellinweak-，Inevertookshortcommonsmeek-，Butkeptmyselfincornbysteal-，AtrickIlearnedfromLazaril-，Whenwithapieceofstrawsoneat-
Theblindmanofhiswinehecheat。
ORLANDOFURIOSO
ToDonQuixoteofLaManchaSONNET
IfthouartnotaPeer，peerthouhastnone；
AmongathousandPeersthouartapeer；
Noristhereroomforonewhenthouartnear，Unvanquishedvictor，greatunconqueredone！
Orlando，byAngelicaundone，AmI；o'erdistantseascondemnedtosteer，AndtoFame'saltarsasanofferingbearValourrespectedbyOblivion。
Icannotbethyrival，forthyfameAndprowessriseaboveallrivalry，Albeitbothbereftofwitswego。
But，thoughtheScythianortheMoortotameWasnotthylot，stillthoudostrivalme：
Lovebindsusinafellowshipofwoe。
THEKNIGHTOFPHOEBUS
ToDonQuixoteofLaManchaMyswordwasnottobecomparedwiththinePhoebusofSpain，marvelofcourtesy，NorwiththyfamousarmthishandofmineThatsmotefromeasttowestaslightningsfly。
Iscornedallempire，andthatmonarchyTherosyeastheldoutdidIresignForoneglanceofClaridiana'seye，ThebrightAuroraforwhoseloveIpine。
Amiracleofconstancymylove；
Andbanishedbyherruthlesscruelty，ThisarmhadmighttherageofHelltotame。
But，GothicQuixote，happierthoudostprove，ForthoudostliveinDulcinea'sname，Andfamous，honoured，wise，shelivesinthee。
FROMSOLISDAN
ToDonQuixoteofLaManchaSONNET
Yourfantasies，SirQuixote，itistrue，Thatcrazybrainofyourshavequiteupset，ButaughtofbaseormeanhathneveryetBeenchargedbyanyinreproachtoyou。
Yourdeedsareopenproofinallmen'sview；
Foryouwentforthinjusticetoabate，AndforyourpainssoredrubbingsdidyougetFrommanyarascallyandruffiancrew。
IfthefairDulcinea，yourheart'squeen，Beunrelentinginhercruelty，Ifstillyourwoebepowerlesstomoveher，InsuchhardcaseyourcomfortletitbeThatSanchowasasorrygo-between：
Aboobyhe，hard-heartedshe，andyounolover。
DIALOGUE
BetweenBabiecaandRocinanteSONNET
B。“Howcomesit，Rocinante，you'resolean？”
R。“I'munderfed，withoverworkI'mworn。“
B。“Butwhatbecomesofallthehayandcorn？”
R。“Mymastergivesmenone；he'smuchtoomean。“
B。“Come，come，youshowill-breeding，sir，Iween；
'Tislikeanassyourmasterthustoscorn。“
R。Heisanass，willdieanass，anasswasborn；
Why，he'sinlove；what'swhat'splainertobeseen？”
B。“Tobeinloveisfolly？”-R。“Nogreatsense。“
B。“You'remetaphysical。“-R。“Fromwantoffood。“
B。“Railatthesquire，then。“-R。“Why，what'sthegood？
Imightindeedcomplainofhim，Igrantye，But，squireormaster，where'sthedifference？
They'rebothassorryhacksasRocinante。“
THEAUTHOR'SPREFACE
IDLEREADER：thoumayestbelievemewithoutanyoaththatIwouldthisbook，asitisthechildofmybrain，werethefairest，gayest，andcleverestthatcouldbeimagined。ButIcouldnotcounteractNature'slawthateverythingshallbegetitslike；andwhat，then，couldthissterile，illtilledwitofminebegetbutthestoryofadry，shrivelled，whimsicaloffspring，fullofthoughtsofallsortsandsuchasnevercameintoanyotherimagination-justwhatmightbebegotteninaprison，whereeverymiseryislodgedandeverydolefulsoundmakesitsdwelling？Tranquillity，acheerfulretreat，pleasantfields，brightskies，murmuringbrooks，peaceofmind，thesearethethingsthatgofartomakeeventhemostbarrenmusesfertile，andbringintotheworldbirthsthatfillitwithwonderanddelight。Sometimeswhenafatherhasanugly，loutishson，thelovehebearshimsoblindfoldshiseyesthathedoesnotseehisdefects，or，rather，takesthemforgiftsandcharmsofmindandbody，andtalksofthemtohisfriendsaswitandgrace。I，however-forthoughIpassforthefather，Iambutthestepfatherto“DonQuixote“-havenodesiretogowiththecurrentofcustom，ortoimplorethee，dearestreader，almostwithtearsinmyeyes，asothersdo，topardonorexcusethedefectsthouwiltperceiveinthischildofmine。Thouartneitheritskinsmannoritsfriend，thysoulisthineownandthywillasfreeasanyman's，whate'erhebe，thouartinthineownhouseandmasterofitasmuchasthekingofhistaxesandthouknowestthecommonsaying，“UndermycloakIkilltheking；“allwhichexemptsandfreestheefromeveryconsiderationandobligation，andthoucanstsaywhatthouwiltofthestorywithoutfearofbeingabusedforanyillorrewardedforanygoodthoumayestsayofit。
Mywishwouldbesimplytopresentittotheeplainandunadorned，withoutanyembellishmentofprefaceoruncountablemusterofcustomarysonnets，epigrams，andeulogies，suchasarecommonlyputatthebeginningofbooks。ForIcantellthee，thoughcomposingitcostmesomelabour，IfoundnonegreaterthanthemakingofthisPrefacethouartnowreading。ManytimesdidItakeupmypentowriteit，andmanydidIlayitdownagain，notknowingwhattowrite。Oneofthesetimes，asIwasponderingwiththepaperbeforeme，apeninmyear，myelbowonthedesk，andmycheekinmyhand，thinkingofwhatIshouldsay，therecameinunexpectedlyacertainlively，cleverfriendofmine，who，seeingmesodeepinthought，askedthereason；towhichI，makingnomysteryofit，answeredthatIwasthinkingofthePrefaceIhadtomakeforthestoryof“DonQuixote，“whichsotroubledmethatIhadamindnottomakeanyatall，norevenpublishtheachievementsofsonobleaknight。
“For，howcouldyouexpectmenottofeeluneasyaboutwhatthatancientlawgivertheycallthePublicwillsaywhenitseesme，afterslumberingsomanyyearsinthesilenceofoblivion，comingoutnowwithallmyyearsuponmyback，andwithabookasdryasarush，devoidofinvention，meagreinstyle，poorinthoughts，whollywantinginlearningandwisdom，withoutquotationsinthemarginorannotationsattheend，afterthefashionofotherbooksIsee，which，thoughallfablesandprofanity，aresofullofmaximsfromAristotle，andPlato，andthewholeherdofphilosophers，thattheyfillthereaderswithamazementandconvincethemthattheauthorsaremenoflearning，erudition，andeloquence。Andthen，whentheyquotetheHolyScriptures！-anyonewouldsaytheyareSt。ThomasesorotherdoctorsoftheChurch，observingastheydoadecorumsoingeniousthatinonesentencetheydescribeadistractedloverandinthenextdeliveradevoutlittlesermonthatitisapleasureandatreattohearandread。Ofallthistherewillbenothinginmybook，forIhavenothingtoquoteinthemarginortonoteattheend，andstilllessdoIknowwhatauthorsIfollowinit，toplacethematthebeginning，asalldo，underthelettersA，B，C，beginningwithAristotleandendingwithXenophon，orZoilus，orZeuxis，thoughonewasaslandererandtheotherapainter。Alsomybookmustdowithoutsonnetsatthebeginning，atleastsonnetswhoseauthorsaredukes，marquises，counts，bishops，ladies，orfamouspoets。ThoughifIweretoasktwoorthreeobligingfriends，Iknowtheywouldgivemethem，andsuchastheproductionsofthosethathavethehighestreputationinourSpaincouldnotequal。
“Inshort，myfriend，“Icontinued，“IamdeterminedthatSenorDonQuixoteshallremainburiedinthearchivesofhisownLaManchauntilHeavenprovidesomeonetogarnishhimwithallthosethingshestandsinneedof；becauseIfindmyself，throughmyshallownessandwantoflearning，unequaltosupplyingthem，andbecauseIambynatureshyandcarelessabouthuntingforauthorstosaywhatImyselfcansaywithoutthem。Hencethecogitationandabstractionyoufoundmein，andreasonenough，whatyouhaveheardfromme。“
Hearingthis，myfriend，givinghimselfaslapontheforeheadandbreakingintoaheartylaugh，exclaimed，“BeforeGod，Brother，nowamIdisabusedofanerrorinwhichIhavebeenlivingallthislongtimeIhaveknownyou，allthroughwhichIhavetakenyoutobeshrewdandsensibleinallyoudo；butnowIseeyouareasfarfromthatastheheavenisfromtheearth。Itispossiblethatthingsofsolittlemomentandsoeasytosetrightcanoccupyandperplexaripewitlikeyours，fittobreakthroughandcrushfargreaterobstacles？Bymyfaith，thiscomes，notofanywantofability，butoftoomuchindolenceandtoolittleknowledgeoflife。DoyouwanttoknowifIamtellingthetruth？Well，then，attendtome，andyouwillseehow，intheopeningandshuttingofaneye，Isweepawayallyourdifficulties，andsupplyallthosedeficiencieswhichyousaycheckanddiscourageyoufrombringingbeforetheworldthestoryofyourfamousDonQuixote，thelightandmirrorofallknight-errantry。“
“Sayon，“saidI，listeningtohistalk；“howdoyouproposetomakeupformydiffidence，andreducetoorderthischaosofperplexityI
amin？”
Towhichhemadeanswer，“Yourfirstdifficultyaboutthesonnets，epigrams，orcomplimentaryverseswhichyouwantforthebeginning，andwhichoughttobebypersonsofimportanceandrank，canberemovedifyouyourselftakealittletroubletomakethem；youcanafterwardsbaptisethem，andputanynameyouliketothem，fatheringthemonPresterJohnoftheIndiesortheEmperorofTrebizond，who，tomyknowledge，weresaidtohavebeenfamouspoets：andeveniftheywerenot，andanypedantsorbachelorsshouldattackyouandquestionthefact，nevercaretwomaravedisforthat，foreveniftheyprovealieagainstyoutheycannotcutoffthehandyouwroteitwith。
“Astoreferencesinthemargintothebooksandauthorsfromwhomyoutaketheaphorismsandsayingsyouputintoyourstory，itisonlycontrivingtofitinnicelyanysentencesorscrapsofLatinyoumayhappentohavebyheart，oratanyratethatwillnotgiveyoumuchtroubletolookup；soas，whenyouspeakoffreedomandcaptivity，toinsertNonbeneprototolibertasvenditurauro；
andthenreferinthemargintoHorace，orwhoeversaidit；or，ifyoualludetothepowerofdeath，tocomeinwith-
PallidamorsAequopulsatpedepauperumtabernas，Regumqueturres。
IfitbefriendshipandtheloveGodbidsusbeartoourenemy，goatoncetotheHolyScriptures，whichyoucandowithaverysmallamountofresearch，andquotenolessthanthewordsofGodhimself：
Egoautemdicovobis：diligiteinimicosvestros。Ifyouspeakofevilthoughts，turntotheGospel：Decordeexeuntcogitationesmalae。
Ifoftheficklenessoffriends，thereisCato，whowillgiveyouhisdistich：
Donecerisfelixmultosnumerabisamicos，Temporasifuerintnubila，soluseris。
WiththeseandsuchlikebitsofLatintheywilltakeyouforagrammarianatallevents，andthatnow-a-daysisnosmallhonourandprofit。
“Withregardtoaddingannotationsattheendofthebook，youmaysafelydoitinthisway。IfyoumentionanygiantinyourbookcontrivethatitshallbethegiantGoliath，andwiththisalone，whichwillcostyoualmostnothing，youhaveagrandnote，foryoucanput-ThegiantGoliasorGoliathwasaPhilistinewhomtheshepherdDavidslewbyamightystone-castintheTerebinthvalley，asisrelatedintheBookofKings-inthechapterwhereyoufinditwritten。
“Next，toproveyourselfamanoferuditioninpoliteliteratureandcosmography，managethattheriverTagusshallbenamedinyourstory，andthereyouareatoncewithanotherfamousannotation，settingforth-TheriverTaguswassocalledafteraKingofSpain：ithasitssourceinsuchandsuchaplaceandfallsintotheocean，kissingthewallsofthefamouscityofLisbon，anditisacommonbeliefthatithasgoldensands，&c。Ifyoushouldhaveanythingtodowithrobbers，IwillgiveyouthestoryofCacus，forIhaveitbyheart；
ifwithloosewomen，thereistheBishopofMondonedo，whowillgiveyoutheloanofLamia，Laida，andFlora，anyreferencetowhomwillbringyougreatcredit；ifwithhard-heartedones，OvidwillfurnishyouwithMedea；ifwithwitchesorenchantresses，HomerhasCalypso，andVirgilCirce；ifwithvaliantcaptains，JuliusCaesarhimselfwilllendyouhimselfinhisown'Commentaries，'andPlutarchwillgiveyouathousandAlexanders。Ifyoushoulddealwithlove，withtwoouncesyoumayknowofTuscanyoucangotoLeontheHebrew，whowillsupplyyoutoyourheart'scontent；orifyoushouldnotcaretogotoforeigncountriesyouhaveathomeFonseca's'OftheLoveofGod，'
inwhichiscondensedallthatyouorthemostimaginativemindcanwantonthesubject。Inshort，allyouhavetodoistomanagetoquotethesenames，orrefertothesestoriesIhavementioned，andleaveittometoinserttheannotationsandquotations，andIswearbyallthat'sgoodtofillyourmarginsanduseupfoursheetsattheendofthebook。
“Nowletuscometothosereferencestoauthorswhichotherbookshave，andyouwantforyours。Theremedyforthisisverysimple：
Youhaveonlytolookoutforsomebookthatquotesthemall，fromA
toZasyousayyourself，andtheninserttheverysamealphabetinyourbook，andthoughtheimpositionmaybeplaintosee，becauseyouhavesolittleneedtoborrowfromthem，thatisnomatter；
therewillprobablybesomesimpleenoughtobelievethatyouhavemadeuseofthemallinthisplain，artlessstoryofyours。Atanyrate，ifitanswersnootherpurpose，thislongcatalogueofauthorswillservetogiveasurprisinglookofauthoritytoyourbook。
Besides，noonewilltroublehimselftoverifywhetheryouhavefollowedthemorwhetheryouhavenot，beingnowayconcernedinit；
especiallyas，ifImistakenot，thisbookofyourshasnoneedofanyoneofthosethingsyousayitwants，foritis，frombeginningtoend，anattackuponthebooksofchivalry，ofwhichAristotleneverdreamt，norSt。Basilsaidaword，norCicerohadanyknowledge；nordothenicetiesoftruthnortheobservationsofastrologycomewithintherangeofitsfancifulvagaries；norhavegeometricalmeasurementsorrefutationsoftheargumentsusedinrhetoricanythingtodowithit；nordoesitmeantopreachtoanybody，mixingupthingshumananddivine，asortofmotleyinwhichnoChristianunderstandingshoulddressitself。Ithasonlytoavailitselfoftruthtonatureinitscomposition，andthemoreperfecttheimitationthebettertheworkwillbe。Andasthispieceofyoursaimsatnothingmorethantodestroytheauthorityandinfluencewhichbooksofchivalryhaveintheworldandwiththepublic，thereisnoneedforyoutogoa-beggingforaphorismsfromphilosophers，preceptsfromHolyScripture，fablesfrompoets，speechesfromorators，ormiraclesfromsaints；butmerelytotakecarethatyourstyleanddictionrunmusically，pleasantly，andplainly，withclear，proper，andwell-placedwords，settingforthyourpurposetothebestofyourpower，andputtingyourideasintelligibly，withoutconfusionorobscurity。Strive，too，thatinreadingyourstorythemelancholymaybemovedtolaughter，andthemerrymademerrierstill；thatthesimpleshallnotbewearied，thatthejudiciousshalladmiretheinvention，thatthegraveshallnotdespiseit，northewisefailtopraiseit。Finally，keepyouraimfixedonthedestructionofthatill-foundededificeofthebooksofchivalry，hatedbysomeandpraisedbymanymore；forifyousucceedinthisyouwillhaveachievednosmallsuccess。“
InprofoundsilenceIlistenedtowhatmyfriendsaid，andhisobservationsmadesuchanimpressiononmethat，withoutattemptingtoquestionthem，Iadmittedtheirsoundness，andoutofthemI
determinedtomakethisPreface；wherein，gentlereader，thouwiltperceivemyfriend'sgoodsense，mygoodfortuneinfindingsuchanadviserinsuchatimeofneed，andwhatthouhastgainedinreceiving，withoutadditionoralteration，thestoryofthefamousDonQuixoteofLaMancha，whoisheldbyalltheinhabitantsofthedistrictoftheCampodeMontieltohavebeenthechastestloverandthebravestknightthathasformanyyearsbeenseeninthatneighbourhood。IhavenodesiretomagnifytheserviceIrendertheeinmakingtheeacquaintedwithsorenownedandhonouredaknight，butIdodesirethythanksfortheacquaintancethouwiltmakewiththefamousSanchoPanza，hissquire，inwhom，tomythinking，Ihavegiventheecondensedallthesquirelydrolleriesthatarescatteredthroughtheswarmofthevainbooksofchivalry。Andso-mayGodgivetheehealth，andnotforgetme。Vale。
DEDICATIONOFPARTI
TOTHEDUKEOFBEJAR，MARQUISOFGIBRALEON，COUNTOFBENALCAZAR
ANDBANARES，VICECOUNTOFTHEPUEBLADEALCOCER，MASTEROFTHETOWNS
OFCAPILLA，CURIELANDBURGUILLOS
INbeliefofthegoodreceptionandhonoursthatYourExcellencybestowsonallsortofbooks，asprincesoinclinedtofavorgoodarts，chieflythosewhobytheirnoblenessdonotsubmittotheserviceandbriberyofthevulgar，IhavedeterminedbringingtolightTheIngeniousGentlemanDonQuixoteoflaMancha，inshelterofYourExcellency'sglamorousname，towhom，withtheobeisanceIowetosuchgrandeur，Ipraytoreceiveitagreeablyunderhisprotection，sothatinthisshadow，thoughdeprivedofthatpreciousornamentofeleganceanderuditionthatclothetheworkscomposedinthehousesofthosewhoknow，itdaresappearwithassuranceinthejudgmentofsomewho，trespassingtheboundsoftheirownignorance，usetocondemnwithmorerigourandlessjusticethewritingsofothers。ItismyearnesthopethatYourExcellency'sgoodcounselinregardtomyhonourablepurpose，willnotdisdainthelittlenessofsohumbleaservice。
MigueldeCervantesCHAPTERI
WHICHTREATSOFTHECHARACTERANDPURSUITSOFTHEFAMOUSGENTLEMAN
DONQUIXOTEOFLAMANCHA
INavillageofLaMancha，thenameofwhichIhavenodesiretocalltomind，therelivednotlongsinceoneofthosegentlementhatkeepalanceinthelance-rack，anoldbuckler，aleanhack，andagreyhoundforcoursing。Anollaofrathermorebeefthanmutton，asaladonmostnights，scrapsonSaturdays，lentilsonFridays，andapigeonorsoextraonSundays，madeawaywiththree-quartersofhisincome。Therestofitwentinadoubletoffineclothandvelvetbreechesandshoestomatchforholidays，whileonweek-dayshemadeabravefigureinhisbesthomespun。Hehadinhishouseahousekeeperpastforty，anieceundertwenty，andaladforthefieldandmarket-place，whousedtosaddlethehackaswellashandlethebill-hook。Theageofthisgentlemanofourswasborderingonfifty；
hewasofahardyhabit，spare，gaunt-featured，averyearlyriserandagreatsportsman。TheywillhaveithissurnamewasQuixadaorQuesada(forherethereissomedifferenceofopinionamongtheauthorswhowriteonthesubject)，althoughfromreasonableconjecturesitseemsplainthathewascalledQuexana。This，however，isofbutlittleimportancetoourtale；itwillbeenoughnottostrayahair'sbreadthfromthetruthinthetellingofit。
Youmustknow，then，thattheabove-namedgentlemanwheneverhewasatleisure(whichwasmostlyalltheyearround)gavehimselfuptoreadingbooksofchivalrywithsuchardourandaviditythathealmostentirelyneglectedthepursuitofhisfield-sports，andeventhemanagementofhisproperty；andtosuchapitchdidhiseagernessandinfatuationgothathesoldmanyanacreoftillagelandtobuybooksofchivalrytoread，andbroughthomeasmanyofthemashecouldget。ButofalltherewerenonehelikedsowellasthoseofthefamousFelicianodeSilva'scomposition，fortheirlucidityofstyleandcomplicatedconceitswereaspearlsinhissight，particularlywheninhisreadinghecameuponcourtshipsandcartels，whereheoftenfoundpassageslike“thereasonoftheunreasonwithwhichmyreasonisafflictedsoweakensmyreasonthatwithreasonImurmuratyourbeauty；“oragain，“thehighheavens，thatofyourdivinitydivinelyfortifyyouwiththestars，renderyoudeservingofthedesertyourgreatnessdeserves。“Overconceitsofthissortthepoorgentlemanlosthiswits，andusedtolieawakestrivingtounderstandthemandwormthemeaningoutofthem；whatAristotlehimselfcouldnothavemadeoutorextractedhadhecometolifeagainforthatspecialpurpose。HewasnotatalleasyaboutthewoundswhichDonBelianisgaveandtook，becauseitseemedtohimthat，greataswerethesurgeonswhohadcuredhim，hemusthavehadhisfaceandbodycoveredalloverwithseamsandscars。Hecommended，however，theauthor'swayofendinghisbookwiththepromiseofthatinterminableadventure，andmanyatimewashetemptedtotakeuphispenandfinishitproperlyasisthereproposed，whichnodoubthewouldhavedone，andmadeasuccessfulpieceofworkofittoo，hadnotgreaterandmoreabsorbingthoughtspreventedhim。
Manyanargumentdidhehavewiththecurateofhisvillage(alearnedman，andagraduateofSiguenza)astowhichhadbeenthebetterknight，PalmerinofEnglandorAmadisofGaul。MasterNicholas，thevillagebarber，however，usedtosaythatneitherofthemcameuptotheKnightofPhoebus，andthatiftherewasanythatcouldcomparewithhimitwasDonGalaor，thebrotherofAmadisofGaul，becausehehadaspiritthatwasequaltoeveryoccasion，andwasnofinikinknight，norlachrymoselikehisbrother，whileinthematterofvalourhewasnotawhitbehindhim。Inshort，hebecamesoabsorbedinhisbooksthathespenthisnightsfromsunsettosunrise，andhisdaysfromdawntodark，poringoverthem；andwhatwithlittlesleepandmuchreadinghisbrainsgotsodrythathelosthiswits。
Hisfancygrewfullofwhatheusedtoreadaboutinhisbooks，enchantments，quarrels，battles，challenges，wounds，wooings，loves，agonies，andallsortsofimpossiblenonsense；anditsopossessedhismindthatthewholefabricofinventionandfancyhereadofwastrue，thattohimnohistoryintheworldhadmorerealityinit。HeusedtosaytheCidRuyDiazwasaverygoodknight，butthathewasnottobecomparedwiththeKnightoftheBurningSwordwhowithoneback-strokecutinhalftwofierceandmonstrousgiants。HethoughtmoreofBernardodelCarpiobecauseatRoncesvallesheslewRolandinspiteofenchantments，availinghimselfoftheartificeofHerculeswhenhestrangledAntaeusthesonofTerrainhisarms。HeapprovedhighlyofthegiantMorgante，because，althoughofthegiantbreedwhichisalwaysarrogantandill-conditioned，healonewasaffableandwell-bred。ButaboveallheadmiredReinaldosofMontalban，especiallywhenhesawhimsallyingforthfromhiscastleandrobbingeveryonehemet，andwhenbeyondtheseashestolethatimageofMahometwhich，ashishistorysays，wasentirelyofgold。TohaveaboutofkickingatthattraitorofaGanelonhewouldhavegivenhishousekeeper，andhisnieceintothebargain。
Inshort，hiswitsbeingquitegone，hehituponthestrangestnotionthatevermadmaninthisworldhitupon，andthatwasthathefancieditwasrightandrequisite，aswellforthesupportofhisownhonourasfortheserviceofhiscountry，thatheshouldmakeaknight-errantofhimself，roamingtheworldoverinfullarmourandonhorsebackinquestofadventures，andputtinginpracticehimselfallthathehadreadofasbeingtheusualpracticesofknights-errant；rightingeverykindofwrong，andexposinghimselftoperilanddangerfromwhich，intheissue，hewastoreapeternalrenownandfame。AlreadythepoormansawhimselfcrownedbythemightofhisarmEmperorofTrebizondatleast；andso，ledawaybytheintenseenjoymenthefoundinthesepleasantfancies，hesethimselfforthwithtoputhisschemeintoexecution。
Thefirstthinghedidwastocleanupsomearmourthathadbelongedtohisgreat-grandfather，andhadbeenforageslyingforgotteninacornereatenwithrustandcoveredwithmildew。Hescouredandpolisheditasbesthecould，butheperceivedonegreatdefectinit，thatithadnoclosedhelmet，nothingbutasimplemorion。Thisdeficiency，however，hisingenuitysupplied，forhecontrivedakindofhalf-helmetofpasteboardwhich，fittedontothemorion，lookedlikeawholeone。Itistruethat，inordertoseeifitwasstrongandfittostandacut，hedrewhisswordandgaveitacoupleofslashes，thefirstofwhichundidinaninstantwhathadtakenhimaweektodo。Theeasewithwhichhehadknockedittopiecesdisconcertedhimsomewhat，andtoguardagainstthatdangerhesettoworkagain，fixingbarsofironontheinsideuntilhewassatisfiedwithitsstrength；andthen，notcaringtotryanymoreexperimentswithit，hepasseditandadopteditasahelmetofthemostperfectconstruction。
Henextproceededtoinspecthishack，which，withmorequartosthanarealandmoreblemishesthanthesteedofGonela，that“tantumpellisetossafuit，“surpassedinhiseyestheBucephalusofAlexanderortheBabiecaoftheCid。Fourdayswerespentinthinkingwhatnametogivehim，because(ashesaidtohimself)itwasnotrightthatahorsebelongingtoaknightsofamous，andonewithsuchmeritsofhisown，shouldbewithoutsomedistinctivename，andhestrovetoadaptitsoastoindicatewhathehadbeenbeforebelongingtoaknight-errant，andwhathethenwas；foritwasonlyreasonablethat，hismastertakinganewcharacter，heshouldtakeanewname，andthatitshouldbeadistinguishedandfull-soundingone，befittingtheneworderandcallinghewasabouttofollow。Andso，afterhavingcomposed，struckout，rejected，addedto，unmade，andremadeamultitudeofnamesoutofhismemoryandfancy，hedecideduponcallinghimRocinante，aname，tohisthinking，lofty，sonorous，andsignificantofhisconditionasahackbeforehebecamewhathenowwas，thefirstandforemostofallthehacksintheworld。
Havinggotanameforhishorsesomuchtohistaste，hewasanxioustogetoneforhimself，andhewaseightdaysmoreponderingoverthispoint，tillatlasthemadeuphismindtocallhimself“DonQuixote，“
whence，ashasbeenalreadysaid，theauthorsofthisveracioushistoryhaveinferredthathisnamemusthavebeenbeyondadoubtQuixada，andnotQuesadaasotherswouldhaveit。Recollecting，however，thatthevaliantAmadiswasnotcontenttocallhimselfcurtlyAmadisandnothingmore，butaddedthenameofhiskingdomandcountrytomakeitfamous，andcalledhimselfAmadisofGaul，he，likeagoodknight，resolvedtoaddonthenameofhis，andtostylehimselfDonQuixoteofLaMancha，whereby，heconsidered，hedescribedaccuratelyhisoriginandcountry，anddidhonourtoitintakinghissurnamefromit。
Sothen，hisarmourbeingfurbished，hismorionturnedintoahelmet，hishackchristened，andhehimselfconfirmed，hecametotheconclusionthatnothingmorewasneedednowbuttolookoutforaladytobeinlovewith；foraknight-errantwithoutlovewaslikeatreewithoutleavesorfruit，orabodywithoutasoul。Ashesaidtohimself，“If，formysins，orbymygoodfortune，Icomeacrosssomegianthereabouts，acommonoccurrencewithknights-errant，andoverthrowhiminoneonslaught，orcleavehimasundertothewaist，or，inshort，vanquishandsubduehim，willitnotbewelltohavesomeoneImaysendhimtoasapresent，thathemaycomeinandfallonhiskneesbeforemysweetlady，andinahumble，submissivevoicesay，'IamthegiantCaraculiambro，lordoftheislandofMalindrania，vanquishedinsinglecombatbytheneversufficientlyextolledknightDonQuixoteofLaMancha，whohascommandedmetopresentmyselfbeforeyourGrace，thatyourHighnessdisposeofmeatyourpleasure'？”Oh，howourgoodgentlemanenjoyedthedeliveryofthisspeech，especiallywhenhehadthoughtofsomeonetocallhisLady！Therewas，sothestorygoes，inavillagenearhisownaverygood-lookingfarm-girlwithwhomhehadbeenatonetimeinlove，though，sofarasisknown，sheneverknewitnorgaveathoughttothematter。HernamewasAldonzaLorenzo，anduponherhethoughtfittoconferthetitleofLadyofhisThoughts；andaftersomesearchforanamewhichshouldnotbeoutofharmonywithherown，andshouldsuggestandindicatethatofaprincessandgreatlady，hedecideduponcallingherDulcineadelToboso-shebeingofElToboso-aname，tohismind，musical，uncommon，andsignificant，likeallthosehehadalreadybestoweduponhimselfandthethingsbelongingtohim。
CHAPTERII
WHICHTREATSOFTHEFIRSTSALLYTHEINGENIOUSDONQUIXOTEMADE
FROMHOME
THESEpreliminariessettled，hedidnotcaretoputoffanylongertheexecutionofhisdesign，urgedontoitbythethoughtofalltheworldwaslosingbyhisdelay，seeingwhatwrongsheintendedtoright，grievancestoredress，injusticestorepair，abusestoremove，anddutiestodischarge。So，withoutgivingnoticeofhisintentiontoanyone，andwithoutanybodyseeinghim，onemorningbeforethedawningoftheday(whichwasoneofthehottestofthemonthofJuly)hedonnedhissuitofarmour，mountedRocinantewithhispatched-uphelmeton，bracedhisbuckler，tookhislance，andbythebackdooroftheyardsalliedforthupontheplaininthehighestcontentmentandsatisfactionatseeingwithwhateasehehadmadeabeginningwithhisgrandpurpose。Butscarcelydidhefindhimselfupontheopenplain，whenaterriblethoughtstruckhim，oneallbutenoughtomakehimabandontheenterpriseattheveryoutset。Itoccurredtohimthathehadnotbeendubbedaknight，andthataccordingtothelawofchivalryheneithercouldnoroughttobeararmsagainstanyknight；andthatevenifhehadbeen，stillheought，asanoviceknight，towearwhitearmour，withoutadeviceupontheshielduntilbyhisprowesshehadearnedone。Thesereflectionsmadehimwaverinhispurpose，buthiscrazebeingstrongerthananyreasoning，hemadeuphismindtohavehimselfdubbedaknightbythefirstonehecameacross，followingtheexampleofothersinthesamecase，ashehadreadinthebooksthatbroughthimtothispass。Asforwhitearmour，heresolved，onthefirstopportunity，toscourhisuntilitwaswhiterthananermine；andsocomfortinghimselfhepursuedhisway，takingthatwhichhishorsechose，forinthishebelievedlaytheessenceofadventures。
Thussettingout，ournew-fledgedadventurerpacedalong，talkingtohimselfandsaying，“Whoknowsbutthatintimetocome，whentheveracioushistoryofmyfamousdeedsismadeknown，thesagewhowritesit，whenhehastosetforthmyfirstsallyintheearlymorning，willdoitafterthisfashion？'ScarcehadtherubicundApollospreado'erthefaceofthebroadspaciousearththegoldenthreadsofhisbrighthair，scarcehadthelittlebirdsofpaintedplumageattunedtheirnotestohailwithdulcetandmellifluousharmonythecomingoftherosyDawn，that，desertingthesoftcouchofherjealousspouse，wasappearingtomortalsatthegatesandbalconiesoftheMancheganhorizon，whentherenownedknightDonQuixoteofLaMancha，quittingthelazydown，mountedhiscelebratedsteedRocinanteandbegantotraversetheancientandfamousCampodeMontiel；'“whichinfacthewasactuallytraversing。“Happytheage，happythetime，“hecontinued，“inwhichshallbemadeknownmydeedsoffame，worthytobemouldedinbrass，carvedinmarble，limnedinpictures，foramemorialforever。Andthou，Osagemagician，whoeverthouart，towhomitshallfalltobethechroniclerofthiswondroushistory，forgetnot，Ientreatthee，mygoodRocinante，theconstantcompanionofmywaysandwanderings。“Presentlyhebrokeoutagain，asifhewerelove-strickeninearnest，“OPrincessDulcinea，ladyofthiscaptiveheart，agrievouswronghastthoudonemetodrivemeforthwithscorn，andwithinexorableobduracybanishmefromthepresenceofthybeauty。Olady，deigntoholdinremembrancethisheart，thyvassal，thatthusinanguishpinesforloveofthee。“
Sohewentonstringingtogethertheseandotherabsurdities，allinthestyleofthosehisbookshadtaughthim，imitatingtheirlanguageaswellashecould；andallthewhileherodesoslowlyandthesunmountedsorapidlyandwithsuchfervourthatitwasenoughtomelthisbrainsifhehadany。Nearlyalldayhetravelledwithoutanythingremarkablehappeningtohim，atwhichhewasindespair，forhewasanxioustoencountersomeoneatonceuponwhomtotrythemightofhisstrongarm。
WriterstherearewhosaythefirstadventurehemetwithwasthatofPuertoLapice；otherssayitwasthatofthewindmills；butwhatIhaveascertainedonthispoint，andwhatIhavefoundwrittenintheannalsofLaMancha，isthathewasontheroadallday，andtowardsnightfallhishackandhefoundthemselvesdeadtiredandhungry，when，lookingallaroundtoseeifhecoulddiscoveranycastleorshepherd'sshantywherehemightrefreshhimselfandrelievehissorewants，heperceivednotfaroutofhisroadaninn，whichwasaswelcomeasastarguidinghimtotheportals，ifnotthepalaces，ofhisredemption；andquickeninghispacehereacheditjustasnightwassettingin。Atthedoorwerestandingtwoyoungwomen，girlsofthedistrictastheycallthem，ontheirwaytoSevillewithsomecarrierswhohadchancedtohaltthatnightattheinn；andas，happenwhatmighttoouradventurer，everythinghesaworimagedseemedtohimtobeandtohappenafterthefashionofwhathereadof，themomenthesawtheinnhepicturedittohimselfasacastlewithitsfourturretsandpinnaclesofshiningsilver，notforgettingthedrawbridgeandmoatandallthebelongingsusuallyascribedtocastlesofthesort。Tothisinn，whichtohimseemedacastle，headvanced，andatashortdistancefromithecheckedRocinante，hopingthatsomedwarfwouldshowhimselfuponthebattlements，andbysoundoftrumpetgivenoticethataknightwasapproachingthecastle。Butseeingthattheywereslowaboutit，andthatRocinantewasinahurrytoreachthestable，hemadefortheinndoor，andperceivedthetwogaydamselswhowerestandingthere，andwhoseemedtohimtobetwofairmaidensorlovelyladiestakingtheireaseatthecastlegate。
Atthismomentitsohappenedthataswineherdwhowasgoingthroughthestubblescollectingadroveofpigs(for，withoutanyapology，thatiswhattheyarecalled)gaveablastofhishorntobringthemtogether，andforthwithitseemedtoDonQuixotetobewhathewasexpecting，thesignalofsomedwarfannouncinghisarrival；andsowithprodigioussatisfactionherodeuptotheinnandtotheladies，who，seeingamanofthissortapproachinginfullarmourandwithlanceandbuckler，wereturningindismayintotheinn，whenDonQuixote，guessingtheirfearbytheirflight，raisinghispasteboardvisor，disclosedhisdrydustyvisage，andwithcourteousbearingandgentlevoiceaddressedthem，“Yourladyshipsneednotflyorfearanyrudeness，forthatitbelongsnottotheorderofknighthoodwhichIprofesstooffertoanyone，muchlesstohighbornmaidensasyourappearanceproclaimsyoutobe。“Thegirlswerelookingathimandstrainingtheireyestomakeoutthefeatureswhichtheclumsyvisorobscured，butwhentheyheardthemselvescalledmaidens，athingsomuchoutoftheirline，theycouldnotrestraintheirlaughter，whichmadeDonQuixotewaxindignant，andsay，“Modestybecomesthefair，andmoreoverlaughterthathaslittlecauseisgreatsilliness；this，however，Isaynottopainorangeryou，formydesireisnoneotherthantoserveyou。“
Theincomprehensiblelanguageandtheunpromisinglooksofourcavalieronlyincreasedtheladies'laughter，andthatincreasedhisirritation，andmattersmighthavegonefartherifatthatmomentthelandlordhadnotcomeout，who，beingaveryfatman，wasaverypeacefulone。He，seeingthisgrotesquefigurecladinarmourthatdidnotmatchanymorethanhissaddle，bridle，lance，buckler，orcorselet，wasnotatallindisposedtojointhedamselsintheirmanifestationsofamusement；but，intruth，standinginaweofsuchacomplicatedarmament，hethoughtitbesttospeakhimfairly，sohesaid，“SenorCaballero，ifyourworshipwantslodging，batingthebed(forthereisnotoneintheinn)thereisplentyofeverythingelsehere。“DonQuixote，observingtherespectfulbearingoftheAlcaideofthefortress(forsoinnkeeperandinnseemedinhiseyes)，madeanswer，“SirCastellan，formeanythingwillsuffice，for'Myarmourismyonlywear，Myonlyrestthefray。'“
ThehostfanciedhecalledhimCastellanbecausehetookhimfora“worthyofCastile，“thoughhewasinfactanAndalusian，andonefromthestrandofSanLucar，ascraftyathiefasCacusandasfulloftricksasastudentorapage。“Inthatcase，“saidhe，“'Yourbedisontheflintyrock，Yoursleeptowatchalway；'
andifso，youmaydismountandsafelyreckonuponanyquantityofsleeplessnessunderthisroofforatwelvemonth，nottosayforasinglenight。“Sosaying，headvancedtoholdthestirrupforDonQuixote，whogotdownwithgreatdifficultyandexertion(forhehadnotbrokenhisfastallday)，andthenchargedthehosttotakegreatcareofhishorse，ashewasthebestbitoffleshthateveratebreadinthisworld。ThelandlordeyedhimoverbutdidnotfindhimasgoodasDonQuixotesaid，norevenhalfasgood；andputtinghimupinthestable，hereturnedtoseewhatmightbewantedbyhisguest，whomthedamsels，whohadbythistimemadetheirpeacewithhim，werenowrelievingofhisarmour。Theyhadtakenoffhisbreastplateandbackpiece，buttheyneitherknewnorsawhowtoopenhisgorgetorremovehismake-shifthelmet，forhehadfasteneditwithgreenribbons，which，astherewasnountyingtheknots，requiredtobecut。
This，however，hewouldnotbyanymeansconsentto，soheremainedalltheeveningwithhishelmeton，thedrollestandoddestfigurethatcanbeimagined；andwhiletheywereremovinghisarmour，takingthebaggageswhowereaboutitforladiesofhighdegreebelongingtothecastle，hesaidtothemwithgreatsprightliness：
“Oh，never，surely，wasthereknightSoservedbyhandofdame，Asservedwashe，DonQuixotehight，Whenfromhistownhecame；
Withmaidenswaitingonhimself，Princessesonhishack——
orRocinante，forthat，ladiesmine，ismyhorse'sname，andDonQuixoteofLaManchaismyown；forthoughIhadnointentionofdeclaringmyselfuntilmyachievementsinyourserviceandhonourhadmademeknown，thenecessityofadaptingthatoldballadofLancelottothepresentoccasionhasgivenyoutheknowledgeofmynamealtogetherprematurely。Atime，however，willcomeforyourladyshipstocommandandmetoobey，andthenthemightofmyarmwillshowmydesiretoserveyou。“
Thegirls，whowerenotusedtohearingrhetoricofthissort，hadnothingtosayinreply；theyonlyaskedhimifhewantedanythingtoeat。“Iwouldgladlyeatabitofsomething，“saidDonQuixote，“forIfeelitwouldcomeveryseasonably。“ThedayhappenedtobeaFriday，andinthewholeinntherewasnothingbutsomepiecesofthefishtheycallinCastile“abadejo，“inAndalusia“bacallao，“
andinsomeplaces“curadillo，“andinothers“troutlet；“sotheyaskedhimifhethoughthecouldeattroutlet，fortherewasnootherfishtogivehim。“Iftherebetroutletsenough，“saidDonQuixote，“theywillbethesamethingasatrout；foritisallonetomewhetherIamgiveneightrealsinsmallchangeorapieceofeight；
moreover，itmaybethatthesetroutletsarelikeveal，whichisbetterthanbeef，orkid，whichisbetterthangoat。Butwhateveritbeletitcomequickly，fortheburdenandpressureofarmscannotbebornewithoutsupporttotheinside。“Theylaidatableforhimatthedooroftheinnforthesakeoftheair，andthehostbroughthimaportionofill-soakedandworsecookedstockfish，andapieceofbreadasblackandmouldyashisownarmour；butalaughablesightitwastoseehimeating，forhavinghishelmetonandthebeaverup，hecouldnotwithhisownhandsputanythingintohismouthunlesssomeoneelseplaceditthere，andthisserviceoneoftheladiesrenderedhim。Buttogivehimanythingtodrinkwasimpossible，orwouldhavebeensohadnotthelandlordboredareed，andputtingoneendinhismouthpouredthewineintohimthroughtheother；allwhichheborewithpatienceratherthansevertheribbonsofhishelmet。
Whilethiswasgoingontherecameuptotheinnasowgelder，who，asheapproached，soundedhisreedpipefourorfivetimes，andtherebycompletelyconvincedDonQuixotethathewasinsomefamouscastle，andthattheywereregalinghimwithmusic，andthatthestockfishwastrout，thebreadthewhitest，thewenchesladies，andthelandlordthecastellanofthecastle；andconsequentlyheheldthathisenterpriseandsallyhadbeentosomepurpose。Butstillitdistressedhimtothinkhehadnotbeendubbedaknight，foritwasplaintohimhecouldnotlawfullyengageinanyadventurewithoutreceivingtheorderofknighthood。
CHAPTERIII
WHEREINISRELATEDTHEDROLLWAYINWHICHDONQUIXOTEHADHIMSELF
DUBBEDAKNIGHT
HARASSEDbythisreflection，hemadehastewithhisscantypothousesupper，andhavingfinisheditcalledthelandlord，andshuttinghimselfintothestablewithhim，fellonhiskneesbeforehim，saying，“FromthisspotIrisenot，valiantknight，untilyourcourtesygrantsmetheboonIseek，onethatwillredoundtoyourpraiseandthebenefitofthehumanrace。“Thelandlord，seeinghisguestathisfeetandhearingaspeechofthiskind，stoodstaringathiminbewilderment，notknowingwhattodoorsay，andentreatinghimtorise，butalltonopurposeuntilhehadagreedtogranttheboondemandedofhim。“Ilookedfornoless，mylord，fromyourHighMagnificence，“repliedDonQuixote，“andIhavetotellyouthattheboonIhaveaskedandyourliberalityhasgrantedisthatyoushalldubmeknightto-morrowmorning，andthatto-nightIshallwatchmyarmsinthechapelofthisyourcastle；thustomorrow，asI
havesaid，willbeaccomplishedwhatIsomuchdesire，enablingmelawfullytoroamthroughallthefourquartersoftheworldseekingadventuresonbehalfofthoseindistress，asisthedutyofchivalryandofknights-errantlikemyself，whoseambitionisdirectedtosuchdeeds。“
Thelandlord，who，ashasbeenmentioned，wassomethingofawag，andhadalreadysomesuspicionofhisguest'swantofwits，wasquiteconvincedofitonhearingtalkofthiskindfromhim，andtomakesportforthenighthedeterminedtofallinwithhishumour。
Sohetoldhimhewasquiterightinpursuingtheobjecthehadinview，andthatsuchamotivewasnaturalandbecomingincavaliersasdistinguishedasheseemedandhisgallantbearingshowedhimtobe；andthathehimselfinhisyoungerdayshadfollowedthesamehonourablecalling，roaminginquestofadventuresinvariouspartsoftheworld，amongotherstheCuring-groundsofMalaga，theIslesofRiaran，thePrecinctofSeville，theLittleMarketofSegovia，theOliveraofValencia，theRondillaofGranada，theStrandofSanLucar，theColtofCordova，theTavernsofToledo，anddiversotherquarters，wherehehadprovedthenimblenessofhisfeetandthelightnessofhisfingers，doingmanywrongs，cheatingmanywidows，ruiningmaidsandswindlingminors，and，inshort，bringinghimselfunderthenoticeofalmosteverytribunalandcourtofjusticeinSpain；untilatlasthehadretiredtothiscastleofhis，wherehewaslivinguponhispropertyanduponthatofothers；andwherehereceivedallknights-errantofwhateverrankorconditiontheymightbe，allforthegreatloveheborethemandthattheymightsharetheirsubstancewithhiminreturnforhisbenevolence。Hetoldhim，moreover，thatinthiscastleofhistherewasnochapelinwhichhecouldwatchhisarmour，asithadbeenpulleddowninordertoberebuilt，butthatinacaseofnecessityitmight，heknew，bewatchedanywhere，andhemightwatchitthatnightinacourtyardofthecastle，andinthemorning，Godwilling，therequisiteceremoniesmightbeperformedsoastohavehimdubbedaknight，andsothoroughlydubbedthatnobodycouldbemoreso。Heaskedifhehadanymoneywithhim，towhichDonQuixoterepliedthathehadnotafarthing，asinthehistoriesofknights-erranthehadneverreadofanyofthemcarryingany。Onthispointthelandlordtoldhimhewasmistaken；for，thoughnotrecordedinthehistories，becauseintheauthor'sopiniontherewasnoneedtomentionanythingsoobviousandnecessaryasmoneyandcleanshirts，itwasnottobesupposedthereforethattheydidnotcarrythem，andhemightregarditascertainandestablishedthatallknights-errant(aboutwhomthereweresomanyfullandunimpeachablebooks)carriedwell-furnishedpursesincaseofemergency，andlikewisecarriedshirtsandalittleboxofointmenttocurethewoundstheyreceived。Forinthoseplainsanddesertswheretheyengagedincombatandcameoutwounded，itwasnotalwaysthattherewassomeonetocurethem，unlessindeedtheyhadforafriendsomesagemagiciantosuccourthematoncebyfetchingthroughtheairuponacloudsomedamselordwarfwithavialofwaterofsuchvirtuethatbytastingonedropofittheywerecuredoftheirhurtsandwoundsinaninstantandleftassoundasiftheyhadnotreceivedanydamagewhatever。Butincasethisshouldnotoccur，theknightsofoldtookcaretoseethattheirsquireswereprovidedwithmoneyandotherrequisites，suchaslintandointmentsforhealingpurposes；andwhenithappenedthatknightshadnosquires(whichwasrarelyandseldomthecase)theythemselvescarriedeverythingincunningsaddle-bagsthatwerehardlyseenonthehorse'scroup，asifitweresomethingelseofmoreimportance，because，unlessforsomesuchreason，carryingsaddle-bagswasnotveryfavourablyregardedamongknights-errant。Hethereforeadvisedhim(and，ashisgodsonsosoontobe，hemightevencommandhim)neverfromthattimeforthtotravelwithoutmoneyandtheusualrequirements，andhewouldfindtheadvantageofthemwhenheleastexpectedit。
DonQuixotepromisedtofollowhisadvicescrupulously，anditwasarrangedforthwiththatheshouldwatchhisarmourinalargeyardatonesideoftheinn；so，collectingitalltogether，DonQuixoteplaceditonatroughthatstoodbythesideofawell，andbracinghisbuckleronhisarmhegraspedhislanceandbeganwithastatelyairtomarchupanddowninfrontofthetrough，andashebeganhismarchnightbegantofall。
Thelandlordtoldallthepeoplewhowereintheinnaboutthecrazeofhisguest，thewatchingofthearmour，andthedubbingceremonyhecontemplated。Fullofwonderatsostrangeaformofmadness，theyflockedtoseeitfromadistance，andobservedwithwhatcomposurehesometimespacedupanddown，orsometimes，leaningonhislance，gazedonhisarmourwithouttakinghiseyesoffitforeversolong；andasthenightclosedinwithalightfromthemoonsobrilliantthatitmightviewithhisthatlentit，everythingthenoviceknightdidwasplainlyseenbyall。
Meanwhileoneofthecarrierswhowereintheinnthoughtfittowaterhisteam，anditwasnecessarytoremoveDonQuixote'sarmourasitlayonthetrough；butheseeingtheotherapproachhailedhiminaloudvoice，“Othou，whoeverthouart，rashknightthatcomesttolayhandsonthearmourofthemostvalorouserrantthatevergirtonsword，haveacarewhatthoudost；touchitnotunlessthouwouldstlaydownthylifeasthepenaltyofthyrashness。“Thecarriergavenoheedtothesewords(andhewouldhavedonebettertoheedthemifhehadbeenheedfulofhishealth)，butseizingitbythestrapsflungthearmoursomedistancefromhim。Seeingthis，DonQuixoteraisedhiseyestoheaven，andfixinghisthoughts，apparently，uponhisladyDulcinea，exclaimed，“Aidme，ladymine，inthisthefirstencounterthatpresentsitselftothisbreastwhichthouholdestinsubjection；
letnotthyfavourandprotectionfailmeinthisfirstjeopardy；“
and，withthesewordsandotherstothesamepurpose，droppinghisbucklerheliftedhislancewithbothhandsandwithitsmotesuchablowonthecarrier'sheadthathestretchedhimontheground，sostunnedthathadhefolloweditupwithasecondtherewouldhavebeennoneedofasurgeontocurehim。Thisdone，hepickeduphisarmourandreturnedtohisbeatwiththesameserenityasbefore。
Shortlyafterthis，another，notknowingwhathadhappened(forthecarrierstilllaysenseless)，camewiththesameobjectofgivingwatertohismules，andwasproceedingtoremovethearmourinordertoclearthetrough，whenDonQuixote，withoututteringawordorimploringaidfromanyone，oncemoredroppedhisbucklerandoncemoreliftedhislance，andwithoutactuallybreakingthesecondcarrier'sheadintopieces，mademorethanthreeofit，forhelaiditopeninfour。Atthenoiseallthepeopleoftheinnrantothespot，andamongthemthelandlord。Seeingthis，DonQuixotebracedhisbuckleronhisarm，andwithhishandonhisswordexclaimed，“O
LadyofBeauty，strengthandsupportofmyfaintheart，itistimefortheetoturntheeyesofthygreatnessonthisthycaptiveknightonthebrinkofsomightyanadventure。“Bythishefelthimselfsoinspiredthathewouldnothaveflinchedifallthecarriersintheworldhadassailedhim。ThecomradesofthewoundedperceivingtheplighttheywereinbeganfromadistancetoshowerstonesonDonQuixote，whoscreenedhimselfasbesthecouldwithhisbuckler，notdaringtoquitthetroughandleavehisarmourunprotected。Thelandlordshoutedtothemtoleavehimalone，forhehadalreadytoldthemthathewasmad，andasamadmanhewouldnotbeaccountableevenifhekilledthemall。StillloudershoutedDonQuixote，callingthemknavesandtraitors，andthelordofthecastle，whoallowedknights-erranttobetreatedinthisfashion，avillainandalow-bornknightwhom，hadhereceivedtheorderofknighthood，hewouldcalltoaccountforhistreachery。“Butofyou，“hecried，“baseandvilerabble，Imakenoaccount；fling，strike，comeon，doallyecanagainstme，yeshallseewhattherewardofyourfollyandinsolencewillbe。“Thisheutteredwithsomuchspiritandboldnessthathefilledhisassailantswithaterriblefear，andasmuchforthisreasonasatthepersuasionofthelandlordtheyleftoffstoninghim，andheallowedthemtocarryoffthewounded，andwiththesamecalmnessandcomposureasbeforeresumedthewatchoverhisarmour。
Butthesefreaksofhisguestwerenotmuchtothelikingofthelandlord，sohedeterminedtocutmattersshortandconferuponhimatoncetheunluckyorderofknighthoodbeforeanyfurthermisadventurecouldoccur；so，goinguptohim，heapologisedfortherudenesswhich，withouthisknowledge，hadbeenofferedtohimbytheselowpeople，who，however，hadbeenwellpunishedfortheiraudacity。Ashehadalreadytoldhim，hesaid，therewasnochapelinthecastle，norwasitneededforwhatremainedtobedone，for，asheunderstoodtheceremonialoftheorder，thewholepointofbeingdubbedaknightlayintheaccoladeandintheslapontheshoulder，andthatcouldbeadministeredinthemiddleofafield；andthathehadnowdoneallthatwasneedfulastowatchingthearmour，forallrequirementsweresatisfiedbyawatchoftwohoursonly，whilehehadbeenmorethanfouraboutit。DonQuixotebelieveditall，andtoldhimhestoodtherereadytoobeyhim，andtomakeanendofitwithasmuchdespatchaspossible；for，ifhewereagainattacked，andfelthimselftobedubbedknight，hewouldnot，hethought，leaveasoulaliveinthecastle，exceptsuchasoutofrespecthemightspareathisbidding。
Thuswarnedandmenaced，thecastellanforthwithbroughtoutabookinwhichheusedtoenterthestrawandbarleyheservedouttothecarriers，and，withaladcarryingacandle-end，andthetwodamselsalreadymentioned，hereturnedtowhereDonQuixotestood，andbadehimkneeldown。Then，readingfromhisaccount-bookasifhewererepeatingsomedevoutprayer，inthemiddleofhisdeliveryheraisedhishandandgavehimasturdyblowontheneck，andthen，withhisownsword，asmartslapontheshoulder，allthewhilemutteringbetweenhisteethasifhewassayinghisprayers。Havingdonethis，hedirectedoneoftheladiestogirdonhissword，whichshedidwithgreatself-possessionandgravity，andnotalittlewasrequiredtopreventaburstoflaughterateachstageoftheceremony；butwhattheyhadalreadyseenofthenoviceknight'sprowesskepttheirlaughterwithinbounds。Ongirdinghimwiththeswordtheworthyladysaidtohim，“MayGodmakeyourworshipaveryfortunateknight，andgrantyousuccessinbattle。“DonQuixoteaskedhernameinorderthathemightfromthattimeforwardknowtowhomhewasbeholdenforthefavourhehadreceived，ashemeanttoconferuponhersomeportionofthehonourheacquiredbythemightofhisarm。
SheansweredwithgreathumilitythatshewascalledLaTolosa，andthatshewasthedaughterofacobblerofToledowholivedinthestallsofSanchobienaya，andthatwherevershemightbeshewouldserveandesteemhimasherlord。DonQuixotesaidinreplythatshewoulddohimafavourifthenceforwardsheassumedthe“Don“andcalledherselfDonaTolosa。Shepromisedshewould，andthentheotherbuckledonhisspur，andwithherfollowedalmostthesameconversationaswiththeladyofthesword。Heaskedhername，andshesaiditwasLaMolinera，andthatshewasthedaughterofarespectablemillerofAntequera；andofherlikewiseDonQuixoterequestedthatshewouldadoptthe“Don“andcallherselfDonaMolinera，makingofferstoherfurtherservicesandfavours。
Havingthus，withhothasteandspeed，broughttoaconclusionthesenever-till-now-seenceremonies，DonQuixotewasonthornsuntilhesawhimselfonhorsebacksallyingforthinquestofadventures；andsaddlingRocinanteatoncehemounted，andembracinghishost，ashereturnedthanksforhiskindnessinknightinghim，headdressedhiminlanguagesoextraordinarythatitisimpossibletoconveyanideaofitorreportit。Thelandlord，togethimoutoftheinn，repliedwithnolessrhetoricthoughwithshorterwords，andwithoutcallinguponhimtopaythereckoninglethimgowithaGodspeed。
CHAPTERIV
OFWHATHAPPENEDTOOURKNIGHTWHENHELEFTTHEINN
DAYwasdawningwhenDonQuixotequittedtheinn，sohappy，sogay，soexhilaratedatfindinghimselfnowdubbedaknight，thathisjoywasliketobursthishorse-girths。However，recallingtheadviceofhishostastotherequisitesheoughttocarrywithhim，especiallythatreferringtomoneyandshirts，hedeterminedtogohomeandprovidehimselfwithall，andalsowithasquire，forhereckoneduponsecuringafarm-labourer，aneighbourofhis，apoormanwithafamily，butverywellqualifiedfortheofficeofsquiretoaknight。Withthisobjectheturnedhishorse'sheadtowardshisvillage，andRocinante，thusremindedofhisoldquarters，steppedoutsobrisklythathehardlyseemedtotreadtheearth。
Hehadnotgonefar，whenoutofathicketonhisrightthereseemedtocomefeeblecriesasofsomeoneindistress，andtheinstantheheardthemheexclaimed，“Thanksbetoheavenforthefavouritaccordsme，thatitsosoonoffersmeanopportunityoffulfillingtheobligationIhaveundertaken，andgatheringthefruitofmyambition。Thesecries，nodoubt，comefromsomemanorwomaninwantofhelp，andneedingmyaidandprotection；“andwheeling，heturnedRocinanteinthedirectionwhencethecriesseemedtoproceed。Hehadgonebutafewpacesintothewood，whenhesawamaretiedtoanoak，andtiedtoanother，andstrippedfromthewaistupwards，ayouthofaboutfifteenyearsofage，fromwhomthecriescame。Norweretheywithoutcause，foralustyfarmerwasflogginghimwithabeltandfollowingupeveryblowwithscoldingsandcommands，repeating，“Yourmouthshutandyoureyesopen！”whiletheyouthmadeanswer，“Iwon'tdoitagain，mastermine；byGod'spassionI
won'tdoitagain，andI'lltakemorecareoftheflockanothertime。“
Seeingwhatwasgoingon，DonQuixotesaidinanangryvoice，“Discourteousknight，itillbecomesyoutoassailonewhocannotdefendhimself；mountyoursteedandtakeyourlance“(fortherewasalanceleaningagainsttheoaktowhichthemarewastied)，“andIwillmakeyouknowthatyouarebehavingasacoward。“Thefarmer，seeingbeforehimthisfigureinfullarmourbrandishingalanceoverhishead，gavehimselfupfordead，andmadeanswermeekly，“SirKnight，thisyouththatIamchastisingismyservant，employedbymetowatchaflockofsheepthatIhavehardby，andheissocarelessthatI
loseoneeveryday，andwhenIpunishhimforhiscarelessnessandknaveryhesaysIdoitoutofniggardliness，toescapepayinghimthewagesIowehim，andbeforeGod，andonmysoul，helies。“
“Liesbeforeme，baseclown！”saidDonQuixote。“BythesunthatshinesonusIhaveamindtorunyouthroughwiththislance。Payhimatoncewithoutanotherword；ifnot，bytheGodthatrulesusI
willmakeanendofyou，andannihilateyouonthespot；releasehiminstantly。“
Thefarmerhunghishead，andwithoutaworduntiedhisservant，ofwhomDonQuixoteaskedhowmuchhismasterowedhim。
Hereplied，ninemonthsatsevenrealsamonth。DonQuixoteaddeditup，foundthatitcametosixty-threereals，andtoldthefarmertopayitdownimmediately，ifhedidnotwanttodieforit。
Thetremblingclownrepliedthatashelivedandbytheoathhehadsworn(thoughhehadnotswornany)itwasnotsomuch；forthereweretobetakenintoaccountanddeductedthreepairsofshoeshehadgivenhim，andarealfortwoblood-lettingswhenhewassick。
“Allthatisverywell，“saidDonQuixote；“butlettheshoesandtheblood-lettingsstandasasetoffagainsttheblowsyouhavegivenhimwithoutanycause；forifhespoiledtheleatheroftheshoesyoupaidfor，youhavedamagedthatofhisbody，andifthebarbertookbloodfromhimwhenhewassick，youhavedrawnitwhenhewassound；soonthatscoreheowesyounothing。“
“Thedifficultyis，SirKnight，thatIhavenomoneyhere；letAndrescomehomewithme，andIwillpayhimall，realbyreal。“
“Igowithhim！”saidtheyouth。“Nay，Godforbid！No，senor，notfortheworld；foroncealonewithme，hewouldraymelikeaSaintBartholomew。“
“Hewilldonothingofthekind，“saidDonQuixote；“Ihaveonlytocommand，andhewillobeyme；andashehassworntomebytheorderofknighthoodwhichhehasreceived，Ileavehimfree，andI
guaranteethepayment。“
“Considerwhatyouaresaying，senor，“saidtheyouth；“thismasterofmineisnotaknight，norhashereceivedanyorderofknighthood；forheisJuanHaldudotheRich，ofQuintanar。“
“Thatmatterslittle，“repliedDonQuixote；“theremaybeHaldudosknights；moreover，everyoneisthesonofhisworks。“
“Thatistrue，“saidAndres；“butthismasterofmine-ofwhatworksishetheson，whenherefusesmethewagesofmysweatandlabour？”
“Idonotrefuse，brotherAndres，“saidthefarmer，“begoodenoughtocomealongwithme，andIswearbyalltheordersofknighthoodthereareintheworldtopayyouasIhaveagreed，realbyreal，andperfumed。“
“FortheperfumeryIexcuseyou，“saidDonQuixote；“giveittohiminreals，andIshallbesatisfied；andseethatyoudoasyouhavesworn；ifnot，bythesameoathIsweartocomebackandhuntyououtandpunishyou；andIshallfindyouthoughyoushouldliecloserthanalizard。Andifyoudesiretoknowwhoitislaysthiscommanduponyou，thatyoubemorefirmlyboundtoobeyit，knowthatIamthevalorousDonQuixoteofLaMancha，theundoerofwrongsandinjustices；andso，Godbewithyou，andkeepinmindwhatyouhavepromisedandswornunderthosepenaltiesthathavebeenalreadydeclaredtoyou。“
Sosaying，hegaveRocinantethespurandwassoonoutofreach。Thefarmerfollowedhimwithhiseyes，andwhenhesawthathehadclearedthewoodandwasnolongerinsight，heturnedtohisboyAndres，andsaid，“Comehere，myson，IwanttopayyouwhatIoweyou，asthatundoerofwrongshascommandedme。“
“Myoathonit，“saidAndres，“yourworshipwillbewelladvisedtoobeythecommandofthatgoodknight-mayheliveathousandyears-
for，asheisavaliantandjustjudge，byRoque，ifyoudonotpayme，hewillcomebackanddoashesaid。“
“Myoathonit，too，“saidthefarmer；“butasIhaveastrongaffectionforyou，Iwanttoaddtothedebtinordertoaddtothepayment；“andseizinghimbythearm，hetiedhimupagain，andgavehimsuchafloggingthathelefthimfordead。
“Now，MasterAndres，“saidthefarmer，“callontheundoerofwrongs；youwillfindhewon'tundothat，thoughIamnotsurethatIhavequitedonewithyou，forIhaveagoodmindtoflayyoualive。“
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