Don Quixote - Part I

"Luckless that I am!" said Don Quixote, hearing the sad news his squire

gave him; "I had rather they despoiled me of an arm, so it were not the

sword-arm; for I tell thee, Sancho, a mouth without teeth is like a mill

without a millstone, and a tooth is much more to be prized than a

diamond; but we who profess the austere order of chivalry are liable to

all this. Mount, friend, and lead the way, and I will follow thee at

whatever pace thou wilt."

Sancho did as he bade him, and proceeded in the direction in which he

thought he might find refuge without quitting the high road, which was

there very much frequented. As they went along, then, at a slow pace--for

the pain in Don Quixote's jaws kept him uneasy and ill-disposed for

speed--Sancho thought it well to amuse and divert him by talk of some

kind, and among the things he said to him was that which will be told in

the following chapter.