Don Quixote - Part I - Page 86/400

OF THE PLEASANT DISCOURSE THAT PASSED BETWEEN DON QUIXOTE AND HIS SQUIRE

SANCHO PANZA

Now by this time Sancho had risen, rather the worse for the handling of

the friars' muleteers, and stood watching the battle of his master, Don

Quixote, and praying to God in his heart that it might be his will to

grant him the victory, and that he might thereby win some island to make

him governor of, as he had promised. Seeing, therefore, that the struggle

was now over, and that his master was returning to mount Rocinante, he

approached to hold the stirrup for him, and, before he could mount, he

went on his knees before him, and taking his hand, kissed it saying, "May

it please your worship, Senor Don Quixote, to give me the government of

that island which has been won in this hard fight, for be it ever so big

I feel myself in sufficient force to be able to govern it as much and as

well as anyone in the world who has ever governed islands."

To which Don Quixote replied, "Thou must take notice, brother Sancho,

that this adventure and those like it are not adventures of islands, but

of cross-roads, in which nothing is got except a broken head or an ear

the less: have patience, for adventures will present themselves from

which I may make you, not only a governor, but something more."

Sancho gave him many thanks, and again kissing his hand and the skirt of

his hauberk, helped him to mount Rocinante, and mounting his ass himself,

proceeded to follow his master, who at a brisk pace, without taking

leave, or saying anything further to the ladies belonging to the coach,

turned into a wood that was hard by. Sancho followed him at his ass's

best trot, but Rocinante stepped out so that, seeing himself left behind,

he was forced to call to his master to wait for him. Don Quixote did so,

reining in Rocinante until his weary squire came up, who on reaching him

said, "It seems to me, senor, it would be prudent in us to go and take

refuge in some church, for, seeing how mauled he with whom you fought has

been left, it will be no wonder if they give information of the affair to

the Holy Brotherhood and arrest us, and, faith, if they do, before we

come out of gaol we shall have to sweat for it."

"Peace," said Don Quixote; "where hast thou ever seen or heard that a

knight-errant has been arraigned before a court of justice, however many

homicides he may have committed?"