Don Quixote - Part I - Page 378/400

"May Our Lady be good to me!" said Sancho, lifting up his voice; "and is

it possible that your worship is so thick of skull and so short of brains

that you cannot see that what I say is the simple truth, and that malice

has more to do with your imprisonment and misfortune than enchantment?

But as it is so, I will prove plainly to you that you are not enchanted.

Now tell me, so may God deliver you from this affliction, and so may you

find yourself when you least expect it in the arms of my lady Dulcinea-"

"Leave off conjuring me," said Don Quixote, "and ask what thou wouldst

know; I have already told thee I will answer with all possible

precision."

"That is what I want," said Sancho; "and what I would know, and have you

tell me, without adding or leaving out anything, but telling the whole

truth as one expects it to be told, and as it is told, by all who profess

arms, as your worship professes them, under the title of knights-errant-"

"I tell thee I will not lie in any particular," said Don Quixote; "finish

thy question; for in truth thou weariest me with all these asseverations,

requirements, and precautions, Sancho."

"Well, I rely on the goodness and truth of my master," said Sancho; "and

so, because it bears upon what we are talking about, I would ask,

speaking with all reverence, whether since your worship has been shut up

and, as you think, enchanted in this cage, you have felt any desire or

inclination to go anywhere, as the saying is?"

"I do not understand 'going anywhere,'" said Don Quixote; "explain

thyself more clearly, Sancho, if thou wouldst have me give an answer to

the point."

"Is it possible," said Sancho, "that your worship does not understand

'going anywhere'? Why, the schoolboys know that from the time they were

babes. Well then, you must know I mean have you had any desire to do what

cannot be avoided?"

"Ah! now I understand thee, Sancho," said Don Quixote; "yes, often, and

even this minute; get me out of this strait, or all will not go right."