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all which it was the universal opinion that their thanks were due to
the great zeal and eloquence of the curate； and to the unexampled
generosity of Don Fernando。
Finding himself now clear and quit of all quarrels； his squire's
as well as his own； Don Quixote considered that it would be
advisable to continue the journey he had begun； and bring to a close
that great adventure for which he had been called and chosen； and with
this high resolve he went and knelt before Dorothea； who； however；
would not allow him to utter a word until he had risen； so to obey her
he rose； and said； 〃It is a common proverb； fair lady； that 'diligence
is the mother of good fortune；' and experience has often shown in
important affairs that the earnestness of the negotiator brings the
doubtful case to a successful termination； but in nothing does this
truth show itself more plainly than in war； where quickness and
activity forestall the devices of the enemy； and win the victory
before the foe has time to defend himself。 All this I say； exalted and
esteemed lady； because it seems to me that for us to remain any longer
in this castle now is useless； and may be injurious to us in a way
that we shall find out some day； for who knows but that your enemy the
giant may have learned by means of secret and diligent spies that I am
going to destroy him； and if the opportunity be given him he may seize
it to fortify himself in some impregnable castle or stronghold；
against which all my efforts and the might of my indefatigable arm may
avail but little？ Therefore； lady； let us； as I say； forestall his
schemes by our activity； and let us depart at once in quest of fair
fortune； for your highness is only kept from enjoying it as fully as
you could desire by my delay in encountering your adversary。〃
Don Quixote held his peace and said no more； calmly awaiting the
reply of the beauteous princess； who； with commanding dignity and in a
style adapted to Don Quixote's own； replied to him in these words；
〃I give you thanks； sir knight； for the eagerness you； like a good
knight to whom it is a natural obligation to succour the orphan and
the needy； display to afford me aid in my sore trouble； and heaven
grant that your wishes and mine may be realised； so that you may see
that there are women in this world capable of gratitude； as to my
departure； let it be forthwith； for I have no will but yours；
dispose of me entirely in accordance with your good pleasure； for
she who has once entrusted to you the defence of her person； and
placed in your hands the recovery of her dominions； must not think
of offering opposition to that which your wisdom may ordain。〃
〃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。〃
Good God； what was the indignation of Don Quixote when he heard
the audacious words of his squire！ So great was it； that in a voice
inarticulate with rage； with a stammering tongue； and eyes that
flashed living fire； he exclaimed； 〃Rascally clown； boorish； insolent；
and ignorant； ill…spoken； foul…mouthed； impudent backbiter and
slanderer！ Hast thou dared to utter such words in my presence and in
that of these illustrious ladies？ Hast thou dared to harbour such
gross and shameless thoughts in thy muddled imagination？ Begone from
my presence； thou born monster； storehouse of lies； hoard of untruths；
garner of knaveries； inventor of scandals； publisher of absurdities；
enemy of the respect due to royal personages！ Begone； show thyself
no more before me under pain of my wrath；〃 and so saying he knitted
his brows； puffed out his cheeks； gazed around him； and stamped on the
ground violently with his right foot； showing in every way the rage
that was pent up in his heart； and at his words and furious gestures
Sancho was so scared and terrified that he would have been glad if the
earth had opened that instant and swallowed him； and his only
thought was to turn round and make his escape from the angry
presence of his master。
But the ready…witted Dorothea； who by this time so well understood
Don Quixote's humour； said； to mollify his wrath； 〃Be not irritated at
the absurdities your good squire has uttered； Sir Knight of the Rueful
Countenance； for perhaps he did not utter them without cause； and from
his good sense and Christian conscience it is not likely that he would
bear false witness against anyone。 We may therefore believe； without
any hesitation； that since； as you say； sir knight； everything in this
castle goes and is brought about by means of enchantment； Sancho； I
say； may possibly have seen； through this diabolical medium； what he
says he saw so much to the detriment of my modesty。〃
〃I swear by God Omnipotent；〃 exclaimed Don Quixote at this； 〃your
highness has hit the point； and that some vile illusion must have come
before this sinner