OF WHAT HAPPENED DON QUIXOTE IN THE CASTLE OR HOUSE OF THE KNIGHT OF THE

GREEN GABAN, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MATTERS OUT OF THE COMMON

Don Quixote found Don Diego de Miranda's house built in village style,

with his arms in rough stone over the street door; in the patio was the

store-room, and at the entrance the cellar, with plenty of wine-jars

standing round, which, coming from El Toboso, brought back to his memory

his enchanted and transformed Dulcinea; and with a sigh, and not thinking

of what he was saying, or in whose presence he was, he exclaimed--

"O ye sweet treasures, to my sorrow found!

Once sweet and welcome when 'twas heaven's good-will.

"O ye Tobosan jars, how ye bring back to my memory the

sweet object of my bitter regrets!"

The student poet, Don Diego's son, who had come out with his mother to

receive him, heard this exclamation, and both mother and son were filled

with amazement at the extraordinary figure he presented; he, however,

dismounting from Rocinante, advanced with great politeness to ask

permission to kiss the lady's hand, while Don Diego said, "Senora, pray

receive with your wonted kindness Senor Don Quixote of La Mancha, whom

you see before you, a knight-errant, and the bravest and wisest in the

world."

The lady, whose name was Dona Christina, received him with every sign of

good-will and great courtesy, and Don Quixote placed himself at her

service with an abundance of well-chosen and polished phrases. Almost the

same civilities were exchanged between him and the student, who listening

to Don Quixote, took him to be a sensible, clear-headed person.

Here the author describes minutely everything belonging to Don Diego's

mansion, putting before us in his picture the whole contents of a rich

gentleman-farmer's house; but the translator of the history thought it

best to pass over these and other details of the same sort in silence, as

they are not in harmony with the main purpose of the story, the strong

point of which is truth rather than dull digressions.

They led Don Quixote into a room, and Sancho removed his armour, leaving

him in loose Walloon breeches and chamois-leather doublet, all stained

with the rust of his armour; his collar was a falling one of scholastic

cut, without starch or lace, his buskins buff-coloured, and his shoes

polished. He wore his good sword, which hung in a baldric of sea-wolf's

skin, for he had suffered for many years, they say, from an ailment of

the kidneys; and over all he threw a long cloak of good grey cloth. But

first of all, with five or six buckets of water (for as regard the number

of buckets there is some dispute), he washed his head and face, and still

the water remained whey-coloured, thanks to Sancho's greediness and

purchase of those unlucky curds that turned his master so white. Thus

arrayed, and with an easy, sprightly, and gallant air, Don Quixote passed

out into another room, where the student was waiting to entertain him

while the table was being laid; for on the arrival of so distinguished a

guest, Dona Christina was anxious to show that she knew how and was able

to give a becoming reception to those who came to her house.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024