don quixote(堂·吉珂德)-第129章
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through which Don Quixote's cart passed。 They all flocked to see
what was in the cart； and when they recognised their townsman they
were filled with amazement； and a boy ran off to bring the news to his
housekeeper and his niece that their master and uncle had come back
all lean and yellow and stretched on a truss of hay on an ox…cart。
It was piteous to hear the cries the two good ladies raised； how
they beat their breasts and poured out fresh maledictions on those
accursed books of chivalry； all which was renewed when they saw Don
Quixote coming in at the gate。
At the news of Don Quixote's arrival Sancho Panza's wife came
running； for she by this time knew that her husband had gone away with
him as his squire； and on seeing Sancho； the first thing she asked him
was if the ass was well。 Sancho replied that he was； better than his
master was。
〃Thanks be to God；〃 said she； 〃for being so good to me； but now tell
me； my friend； what have you made by your squirings？ What gown have
you brought me back？ What shoes for your children？〃
〃I bring nothing of that sort； wife；〃 said Sancho； 〃though I bring
other things of more consequence and value。〃
〃I am very glad of that；〃 returned his wife； 〃show me these things
of more value and consequence； my friend； for I want to see them to
cheer my heart that has been so sad and heavy all these ages that
you have been away。〃
〃I will show them to you at home； wife；〃 said Sancho； 〃be content
for the present； for if it please God that we should again go on our
travels in search of adventures； you will soon see me a count； or
governor of an island； and that not one of those everyday ones； but
the best that is to be had。〃
〃Heaven grant it； husband；〃 said she； 〃for indeed we have need of
it。 But tell me； what's this about islands； for I don't understand
it？〃
〃Honey is not for the mouth of the ass；〃 returned Sancho； 〃all in
good time thou shalt see； wife… nay； thou wilt be surprised to hear
thyself called 'your ladyship' by all thy vassals。〃
〃What are you talking about； Sancho； with your ladyships； islands；
and vassals？〃 returned Teresa Panza… for so Sancho's wife was
called； though they were not relations； for in La Mancha it is
customary for wives to take their husbands' surnames。
〃Don't be in such a hurry to know all this； Teresa；〃 said Sancho；
〃it is enough that I am telling you the truth； so shut your mouth。 But
I may tell you this much by the way； that there is nothing in the
world more delightful than to be a person of consideration； squire
to a knight…errant； and a seeker of adventures。 To be sure most of
those one finds do not end as pleasantly as one could wish； for out of
a hundred； ninety…nine will turn out cross and contrary。 I know it
by experience； for out of some I came blanketed； and out of others
belaboured。 Still； for all that； it is a fine thing to be on the
look…out for what may happen； crossing mountains； searching woods；
climbing rocks； visiting castles； putting up at inns； all at free
quarters； and devil take the maravedi to pay。〃
While this conversation passed between Sancho Panza and his wife；
Don Quixote's housekeeper and niece took him in and undressed him
and laid him in his old bed。 He eyed them askance； and could not
make out where he was。 The curate charged his niece to be very careful
to make her uncle comfortable and to keep a watch over him lest he
should make his escape from them again； telling her what they had been
obliged to do to bring him home。 On this the pair once more lifted
up their voices and renewed their maledictions upon the books of
chivalry； and implored heaven to plunge the authors of such lies and
nonsense into the midst of the bottomless pit。 They were； in short；
kept in anxiety and dread lest their uncle and master should give them
the slip the moment he found himself somewhat better； and as they
feared so it fell out。
But the author of this history； though he has devoted research and
industry to the discovery of the deeds achieved by Don Quixote in
his third sally； has been unable to obtain any information
respecting them； at any rate derived from authentic documents；
tradition has merely preserved in the memory of La Mancha the fact
that Don Quixote； the third time he sallied forth from his home；
betook himself to Saragossa； where he was present at some famous
jousts which came off in that city； and that he had adventures there
worthy of his valour and high intelligence。 Of his end and death he
could learn no particulars； nor would he have ascertained it or
known of it； if good fortune had not produced an old physician for him
who had in his possession a leaden box； which； according to his
account； had been discovered among the crumbling foundations of an
ancient hermitage that was being rebuilt； in which box were found
certain parchment manuscripts in Gothic character； but in Castilian
verse； containing many of his achievements； and setting forth the
beauty of Dulcinea； the form of Rocinante； the fidelity of Sancho
Panza； and the burial of Don Quixote himself； together with sundry
epitaphs and eulogies on his life and character； but all that could be
read and deciphered were those which the trustworthy author of this
new and unparalleled history here presents。 And the said author asks
of those that shall read it nothing in return for the vast toil
which it has cost him in examining and searching the Manchegan
archives in order to bring it to light； save that they give him the
same credit that people of sense give to the books of chivalry that
pervade the world and are so popular； for with this he will consider
himself amply paid and fully satisfied； and will be encouraged to seek
out and produce other histories； if not as truthful； at least equal in
invention and not less entertaining。 The first words written on the
parchment found in the leaden box were these：
THE ACADEMICIANS OF
ARGAMASILLA； A VILLAGE OF
LA MANCHA；
ON THE LIFE AND DEATH
OF DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA；
HOC SCRIPSERUNT
MONICONGO； ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA；
ON THE TOMB OF DON QUIXOTE
EPITAPH
The scatterbrain that gave La Mancha more
Rich spoils than Jason's； who a point so keen
Had to his wit； and happier far had been
If his wit's weathercock a blunter bore；
The arm renowned far as Gaeta's shore；
Cathay； and all the lands that lie between；
The muse discreet and terrible in mien
As ever wrote on brass in days of yore；
He who surpassed the Amadises all；
And who as naught the Galaors accounted；
Supported by his love and gallantry：
Who made the Belianises sing small；
And sought renown on Rocinante mounted；
Here； underneath this cold stone； doth he lie。
PANIAGUADO；
ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA；
IN LAUDEM DULCINEAE DEL TOBOSO
SONNET
She； whose full features may be here descried；
High…bosomed； with a bearing of disdain；
Is Dulcinea； she for whom in vain
The great Don Quixote of La Mancha sighed。
For her； Toboso's queen； from side to side
He traversed the grim sierra； the champaign
Of Aranjuez； and Montiel's famous plain：
On Rocinante oft a weary ride。
Malignant planets； cruel destiny；
Pursued them both； the fair Manchegan dame；
And the unconquered star of chivalry。
Nor youth nor beauty saved her from the claim
Of death； he paid love's bitter penalty；
And left the marble to preserve his name。
CAPRICHOSO； A MOST ACUTE ACADEMICIAN
OF ARGAMASILLA； IN PRAISE OF ROCINANTE；
STEED OF DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA
SONNET
On that proud throne of diamantine sheen；
Which the blood…reeking feet of Mars degrade；
The mad Manchegan's banner now hath been
By him in all its bravery displayed。
There hath he hung his arms and trenchant blade
Wherewith； achieving deeds
