don quixote(堂·吉珂德)-第167章
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instruments we heard last night are already beginning to enliven the
valleys again； and no doubt the marriage will take place in the cool
of the morning； and not in the heat of the afternoon。〃
Sancho did as his master bade him； and putting the saddle on
Rocinante and the pack…saddle on Dapple； they both mounted and at a
leisurely pace entered the arcade。 The first thing that presented
itself to Sancho's eyes was a whole ox spitted on a whole elm tree；
and in the fire at which it was to be roasted there was burning a
middling…sized mountain of faggots； and six stewpots that stood
round the blaze had not been made in the ordinary mould of common
pots； for they were six half wine…jars； each fit to hold the
contents of a slaughter…house； they swallowed up whole sheep and hid
them away in their insides without showing any more sign of them
than if they were pigeons。 Countless were the hares ready skinned
and the plucked fowls that hung on the trees for burial in the pots；
numberless the wildfowl and game of various sorts suspended from the
branches that the air might keep them cool。 Sancho counted more than
sixty wine skins of over six gallons each； and all filled； as it
proved afterwards； with generous wines。 There were； besides； piles
of the whitest bread； like the heaps of corn one sees on the
threshing…floors。 There was a wall made of cheeses arranged like
open brick…work； and two cauldrons full of oil； bigger than those of a
dyer's shop； served for cooking fritters； which when fried were
taken out with two mighty shovels； and plunged into another cauldron
of prepared honey that stood close by。 Of cooks and cook…maids there
were over fifty； all clean； brisk； and blithe。 In the capacious
belly of the ox were a dozen soft little sucking…pigs； which； sewn
up there； served to give it tenderness and flavour。 The spices of
different kinds did not seem to have been bought by the pound but by
the quarter； and all lay open to view in a great chest。 In short；
all the preparations made for the wedding were in rustic style； but
abundant enough to feed an army。
Sancho observed all； contemplated all； and everything won his heart。
The first to captivate and take his fancy were the pots； out of
which he would have very gladly helped himself to a moderate
pipkinful； then the wine skins secured his affections； and lastly； the
produce of the frying…pans； if； indeed； such imposing cauldrons may be
called frying…pans； and unable to control himself or bear it any
longer； he approached one of the busy cooks and civilly but hungrily
begged permission to soak a scrap of bread in one of the pots； to
which the cook made answer； 〃Brother； this is not a day on which
hunger is to have any sway； thanks to the rich Camacho； get down and
look about for a ladle and skim off a hen or two； and much good may
they do you。〃
〃I don't see one；〃 said Sancho。
〃Wait a bit；〃 said the cook； 〃sinner that I am！ how particular and
bashful you are！〃 and so saying； he seized a bucket and plunging it
into one of the half jars took up three hens and a couple of geese；
and said to Sancho； 〃Fall to； friend； and take the edge off your
appetite with these skimmings until dinner…time comes。〃
〃I have nothing to put them in；〃 said Sancho。
〃Well then；〃 said the cook； 〃take spoon and all； for Camacho's
wealth and happiness furnish everything。〃
While Sancho fared thus； Don Quixote was watching the entrance； at
one end of the arcade； of some twelve peasants； all in holiday and
gala dress； mounted on twelve beautiful mares with rich handsome field
trappings and a number of little bells attached to their petrals； who；
marshalled in regular order； ran not one but several courses over
the meadow； with jubilant shouts and cries of 〃Long live Camacho and
Quiteria！ he as rich as she is fair； and she the fairest on earth！〃
Hearing this； Don Quixote said to himself； 〃It is easy to see
these folk have never seen my Dulcinea del Toboso； for if they had
they would be more moderate in their praises of this Quiteria of
theirs。〃
Shortly after this； several bands of dancers of various sorts
began to enter the arcade at different points； and among them one of
sword…dancers composed of some four…and…twenty lads of gallant and
high…spirited mien； clad in the finest and whitest of linen； and
with handkerchiefs embroidered in various colours with fine silk；
and one of those on the mares asked an active youth who led them if
any of the dancers had been wounded。 〃As yet； thank God； no one has
been wounded；〃 said he； 〃we are all safe and sound；〃 and he at once
began to execute complicated figures with the rest of his comrades；
with so many turns and so great dexterity； that although Don Quixote
was well used to see dances of the same kind； he thought he had
never seen any so good as this。 He also admired another that came in
composed of fair young maidens； none of whom seemed to be under
fourteen or over eighteen years of age； all clad in green stuff；
with their locks partly braided； partly flowing loose； but all of such
bright gold as to vie with the sunbeams； and over them they wore
garlands of jessamine； roses； amaranth； and honeysuckle。 At their head
were a venerable old man and an ancient dame； more brisk and active；
however； than might have been expected from their years。 The notes
of a Zamora bagpipe accompanied them； and with modesty in their
countenances and in their eyes； and lightness in their feet； they
looked the best dancers in the world。
Following these there came an artistic dance of the sort they call
〃speaking dances。〃 It was composed of eight nymphs in two files；
with the god Cupid leading one and Interest the other； the former
furnished with wings； bow； quiver and arrows； the latter in a rich
dress of gold and silk of divers colours。 The nymphs that followed
Love bore their names written on white parchment in large letters on
their backs。 〃Poetry〃 was the name of the first； 〃Wit〃 of the
second； 〃Birth〃 of the third； and 〃Valour〃 of the fourth。 Those that
followed Interest were distinguished in the same way； the badge of the
first announced 〃Liberality；〃 that of the second 〃Largess；〃 the
third 〃Treasure；〃 and the fourth 〃Peaceful Possession。〃 In front of
them all came a wooden castle drawn by four wild men； all clad in
ivy and hemp stained green； and looking so natural that they nearly
terrified Sancho。 On the front of the castle and on each of the four
sides of its frame it bore the inscription 〃Castle of Caution。〃 Four
skillful tabor and flute players accompanied them； and the dance
having been opened； Cupid； after executing two figures； raised his
eyes and bent his bow against a damsel who stood between the turrets
of the castle； and thus addressed her：
I am the mighty God whose sway
Is potent over land and sea。
The heavens above us own me； nay；
The shades below acknowledge me。
I know not fear； I have my will；
Whate'er my whim or fancy be；
For me there's no impossible；
I order； bind； forbid； set free。
Having concluded the stanza he discharged an arrow at the top of the
castle； and went back to his place。 Interest then came forward and
went through two more figures； and as soon as the tabors ceased； he
said：
But mightier than Love am I；
Though Love it be that leads me on；
Than mine no lineage is more high；
Or older； underneath the sun。
To use me rightly few know how；
To act without me fewer still；
For I am Interest； and I vow
For evermore to do thy will。
Interest retired； and Poetry came forward； and when she had gone
through her figures like the others； fixing her eyes on the damsel
of the castle； she said：
With many a fanciful conceit；
Fair Lady； winsome Poesy
Her soul； an offering at thy feet；
Presents in sonnets unto thee。
If thou my homage wilt not scorn；
Thy fortune； watched by envious eyes；
On wings of poesy upborne
Shall be exalted to the skies。
Poetry withdrew； and on the side of Interest Liberality advanced；
and after having gone through
