Part 29 (2/2)

That pastime should not be indulged which tends to the detriment of a fellow-creature.

The fire is discovered by its own light; so is virtue by its own excellence.

No renown equals in splendor that which is acquired by the profession of arms.

Virtue demands our homage wherever it is found.

Women are commonly impatient and inquisitive.

By a man's actions may be seen the true disposition of his mind.

”Body of me,” said Don Quixote, ”what a progress you have made, signor, in the Tuscan language! I would venture a good wager that where the Tuscan says _piace_, you say, in Castilian, _plaze_; and where he says _piu_, you say _mas_; and _su_ you translate by the word _arriba_; and _giu_ by _abaxo_.”

”I do so, most certainly,” quoth the author, ”for such are the corresponding words.”

”And yet, I dare say, sir,” quoth Don Quixote, ”that you are scarcely known in the world,--but it is the fate of all ingenious men. What abilities are lost, what genius obscured, and what talents despised!

Nevertheless, I cannot but think that translation from one language into another, unless it be from the n.o.blest of all languages, Greek and Latin, is like presenting the back of a piece of tapestry, where, though the figures are seen, they are obscured by innumerable knots and ends of thread, very different from the smooth and agreeable texture of the proper face of the work; and to translate easy languages of a similar construction requires no more talent than transcribing one paper from another. But I would not hence infer that translating is not a laudable exercise; for a man may be worse and more unprofitably employed. Nor can my observation apply to the two celebrated translators, Doctor Christopher de Figueroa, in his 'Pastor Fido,' and Don John de Xaurigui, in his 'Aminta,' who, with singular felicity, have made it difficult to decide which is the translation and which is the original. But tell me, signor, is this book printed at your charge, or have you sold the copyright to some bookseller?”

”I print it, sir, on my own account,” answered the author, ”and expect a thousand ducats by this first impression of two thousand copies. At six reals each copy they will go off in a trice.”

”'Tis mighty well,” quoth Don Quixote, ”though I fear you know but little of the tricks of booksellers, and the juggling there is amongst them. Take my word for it, you will find a burden of two thousand volumes upon your back no trifling matter, especially if the book be deficient in sprightliness.”

”What, sir!” cried the author, ”would you have me give my labor to a bookseller, who, if he paid me three maravedis for it, would think it abundant, and say I was favored? No, sir, fame is not my object: of that I am already secure. Profit is what I now seek, without which fame is nothing.”

”Well, Heaven prosper you, sir!” said the knight, who, pa.s.sing on, observed a man correcting a sheet of a book ent.i.tled ”The Light of the Soul.” On seeing the t.i.tle, he said, ”Books of this kind, numerous as they already are, ought still to be encouraged; for numerous are the benighted sinners that require to be enlightened.” He went forward, and saw another book under the corrector's hand, and, on inquiring the t.i.tle, they told him it was the second part of the ingenious gentleman Don Quixote de la Mancha, written by such a one, of Tordesillas.

”I know something of that book,” quoth Don Quixote, ”and, on my conscience, I thought it had been burnt long before now for its stupidity; but its Martinmas will come, as it does to every hog. Works of invention are only so far good as they come near to truth and probability; as general history is valuable in proportion as it is authentic.”

Rashness is not valor; doubtful hopes ought to make men resolute, not rash.

There is a remedy for all things except death.

Between said and done A long race may be run.

He whom Heaven favors may St. Peter bless.

They that give must take.

Where there are hooks, we do not always find bacon.

Good expectation is better than bad possession.

To-day for you, and to-morrow for me.

He that falls to-day may rise to-morrow.

Great hearts should be patient under misfortunes, as well as joyful when all goes well.

I have heard say, she they call Fortune is a drunken, freakish dame, and withal so blind that she does not see what she is about; neither whom she raises, nor whom she pulls down.

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