"On, then, in God's name," said Don Quixote; "for, when a lady humbles

herself to me, I will not lose the opportunity of raising her up and

placing her on the throne of her ancestors. Let us depart at once, for

the common saying that in delay there is danger, lends spurs to my

eagerness to take the road; and as neither heaven has created nor hell

seen any that can daunt or intimidate me, saddle Rocinante, Sancho, and

get ready thy ass and the queen's palfrey, and let us take leave of the

castellan and these gentlemen, and go hence this very instant."

Sancho, who was standing by all the time, said, shaking his head, "Ah!

master, master, there is more mischief in the village than one hears of,

begging all good bodies' pardon."

"What mischief can there be in any village, or in all the cities of the

world, you booby, that can hurt my reputation?" said Don Quixote.

"If your worship is angry," replied Sancho, "I will hold my tongue and

leave unsaid what as a good squire I am bound to say, and what a good

servant should tell his master."

"Say what thou wilt," returned Don Quixote, "provided thy words be not

meant to work upon my fears; for thou, if thou fearest, art behaving like

thyself; but I like myself, in not fearing."

"It is nothing of the sort, as I am a sinner before God," said Sancho,

"but that I take it to be sure and certain that this lady, who calls

herself queen of the great kingdom of Micomicon, is no more so than my

mother; for, if she was what she says, she would not go rubbing noses

with one that is here every instant and behind every door."

Dorothea turned red at Sancho's words, for the truth was that her husband

Don Fernando had now and then, when the others were not looking, gathered

from her lips some of the reward his love had earned, and Sancho seeing

this had considered that such freedom was more like a courtesan than a

queen of a great kingdom; she, however, being unable or not caring to

answer him, allowed him to proceed, and he continued, "This I say, senor,

because, if after we have travelled roads and highways, and passed bad

nights and worse days, one who is now enjoying himself in this inn is to

reap the fruit of our labours, there is no need for me to be in a hurry

to saddle Rocinante, put the pad on the ass, or get ready the palfrey;

for it will be better for us to stay quiet, and let every jade mind her

spinning, and let us go to dinner."




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