Part 18 (2/2)
”In good sooth, signor,” said the squire, ”there is no trusting to Mrs.
Ghostly, I mean Death, who gobbles up the gosling as well as the goose; and, as I have heard our curate observe, tramples down the lofty turrets of the prince as well as the lowly cottage of the swain. That same lady, who is more powerful than coy, knows not what it is to be dainty and squeamish; but eats of everything, and crams her wallet with people of all nations, degrees, and conditions; she is none of your laborers that take their afternoon's nap, but mows at all hours, cutting down the dry stubble as well as the green gra.s.s; nor does she seem to chew, but rather swallows and devours everything that falls in her way; for she is gnawed by a dog's hunger that is never satisfied; and though she has no belly, plainly shows herself dropsical, and so thirsty as to drink up the lives of all the people upon earth, just as one would swallow a draught of cool water.”
”Enough, friend Sancho,” cried the knight, interrupting him in this place; ”keep thyself well, now thou art in order, and beware of stumbling again; for really a good preacher could not speak more to the purpose than thou hast spoken upon Death, in thy rustic manner of expression; I say unto thee, Sancho, if thy discretion were equal to thy natural parts, thou mightest ascend the pulpit, and go about teaching and preaching to admiration.”
”He is a good preacher who is a good liver,” answered Panza, ”and that is all the divinity I know.”
”And that is sufficient,” said the knight; ”yet I shall never understand or comprehend, as the fear of G.o.d is the beginning of wisdom, how thou, who art more afraid of a lizard than of thy Maker, should be so wise?”
”Signor,” replied Sancho, ”I desire your wors.h.i.+p would determine in your own affairs of chivalry, without taking the trouble to judge of other people's valor or fears; for my own part, I am as pretty a fearer of G.o.d as one would desire to see in any neighbor's child; wherefore, I beseech your wors.h.i.+p, let me discuss this same sc.u.m; for everything else is idle chat, of which we shall be able to give a bad account in the other world.”
”The poor man of honor (if a poor man can deserve that t.i.tle) possesses, in a beautiful wife, a jewel; and when that is taken away, he is deprived of his honor, which is murdered; a beautiful and chaste woman, whose husband is poor, deserves to be crowned with laurel and palms of triumph; for beauty alone attracts the inclinations of those who behold it; just as the royal eagle and soaring hawk stoop to the savory lure; but if that beauty is inc.u.mbered by poverty and want, it is likewise attacked by ravens, kites, and other birds of prey; and if she who possesses it firmly withstands all these a.s.saults, she well deserves to be called the crown of her husband.
”Take notice, dearest Basilius,” added the knight, ”it was the opinion of a certain sage, that there was but one good wife in the whole world; and he advised every husband to believe she had fallen to his share, and accordingly be satisfied with his lot. I myself am not married, nor hitherto have I entertained the least thought of changing my condition; nevertheless, I will venture to advise him who asks my advice, in such a manner, that he may find a woman to his wish; in the first place, I would exhort him to pay more regard to reputation than to fortune; for a virtuous woman does not acquire a good name merely by being virtuous; she must likewise maintain the exteriors of deportment, for the honor of the s.e.x suffers much more from levity and freedom of behavior in public, than from any private misdeeds. If thou bringest a good woman to thy house, it will be an easy task to preserve and even improve her virtue; but, shouldst thou choose a wife of a different character, it will cost thee abundance of pains to mend her; for it is not very practicable to pa.s.s from one extreme to another; I do not say it is altogether impossible, though I hold it for a matter of much difficulty.”
The ox that is loose is best licked.
Sancho, who had been attentive to the student's discourse, said: ”Tell me, sir--so may heaven send you good luck with your books--can you resolve me--but I know you can, since you know every thing--who was the first man that scratched his head? I for my part am of opinion it must have been our father Adam.”
”Certainly,” answered the scholar; ”for there is no doubt but Adam had a head and hair; and, this being granted, he, being the first man in the world, must needs have been the first who scratched his head.”
”That is what I think,” said Sancho; ”but tell me now, who was the first tumbler in the world?”
”Truly, brother,” answered the scholar, ”I cannot determine that point till I have given it some consideration, which I will surely do when I return to my books, and will satisfy you when we see each other again, for I hope this will not be the last time.”
”Look ye, sir,” replied Sancho, ”be at no trouble about the matter, for I have already hit upon the answer to my question. Know, then, that the first tumbler was Lucifer, when he was cast or thrown headlong from heaven, and came tumbling down to the lowest abyss.”
”Sancho,” quoth Don Quixote, ”thou hast said more than thou art aware of; for some there are who bestow much labor in examining and explaining things which when known are not worth recollecting.”
I am thoroughly satisfied that all the pleasures of this life pa.s.s away like a shadow or dream, or fade like a flower of the field.
Patience, and shuffle the cards.
We are all bound to respect the aged.
Tell me thy company and I will tell thee what thou art.
Whatever is uncommon appears impossible.
THE BRAYING ALDERMEN.
”You must know, gentlemen, that in a town four leagues and a half from this place, a certain alderman happened to lose his a.s.s, all through the artful contrivance (too long to be told) of a wench his maid-servant; and though he tried every means to recover his beast, it was to no purpose. Fifteen days pa.s.sed, as public fame reports, after the a.s.s was missing, and while the unlucky alderman was standing in the market-place, another alderman of the same town came up to him, and said, 'Pay me for my good news, gossip, for your a.s.s has made its appearance.'
”'Most willingly, neighbor,' answered the other; 'but tell me--where has he been seen?'
”'On the mountain,' answered the other; 'I saw him there this morning, with no panel or furniture upon him of any kind, and so lank that it was grievous to behold him. I would have driven him before me and brought him to you, but he is already become so shy that when I went near him he took to his heels and fled to a distance from me. Now, if you like it we will both go seek him; but first let me put up this of mine at home, and I will return instantly.'
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