Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha.djvu/109

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page has been proofread, but needs to be validated.
Book II.
Don Quixote
65

yield himself, or else he would cut off his Head. The Biscaine was so amaz'd, as he could not speak a Word; and it had succeeded very ill with him, considering Don Quixote's Fury, if the Ladies of the Coach (which until then had beheld the Conflict with great Anguish) had not come where he was, and earnestly besought him to do them the Favour to pardon their Squire's Life. Don Quixote answered with great Loftiness and Gravity,
“ Truly, fair Ladies, I am well appaid to grant your
“ Request, but it must be with this Agreement and
“ Condition, that this Knight shall promise me to go to
Toboso and present himself in my Name to the peerless
“ Lady Dulcinea to the end she may dispose of him as
“ she pleaseth. ”

The timorous and comfortless Lady, without considering what Don Quixote demanded, or asking what Dulcinea was, promis'd that her Squire should accomplish all that he pleas'd to command. Why then, quoth Don Quixote, trusting to your Promise, I'll do him no more harm, altho', he hath well deserv'd it at my hands.

Chap. II.

Of that which after befel unto Don Quixote, when he had left the Ladies.

By this Sancho Pancha had gotten up, tho' somewhat abused by the Friers Lackeys, and stood attentively beholding his Lord's Combat, and pray'd to God with all his Heart, that it would please him to give him the victory; and that he might therein win some Island, whereof he might make him Governour, as he had promis'd.

And feeling the Controversie ended at last, and that his Lord remounted upon Rozinante, he came to hold him the Stirrup, and cast himself on his Knees before

him