Sancho Panza and Dapple. COME HITHER MY FRIEND THE PARTNER OF MY EATIVES AND MISERIES SEE PAGE 77. GEBBIE & CO wretch that I am!" said the governor, "when I cannot stir a joint between these boards, that press into my flesh? Your only way is to carry me in your arms and lay me athwart, or set me upright, at some gate, which I will maintain either with my lance or my body." "Fie, Signor Governor!" said another, "it is more fear than the targets that hinders your marching. Hasten and exert yourself, for time advances, the enemy pours in upon us, and every moment increases our danger. The unfortunate governor, thus urged and upbraided, made efforts to move, and down he fell, with such violence that he thought every bone had been broken; and there he lay, like a tortoise in his shell, or like a flitch of bacon packed between two boards, or like a boat on the sands keel upwards. Though they saw his disaster, those jesting rogues had no compassion on the contrary, putting out their torches, they renewed the alarm, and, with terrible noise and precipitation, trampled over his body, and bestowed numerous blows upon the targets, insomuch that, if he had not contrived to shelter his head between the bucklers, it had gone hard with the poor governor, who, pent up within his narrow lodging, and sweating with fear, prayed from the bottom of his heart for deliverance from that horrible situation. Some kicked him, others stumbled and fell over him, and one among them jumped upon his body, and there stood as on a watchtower, issuing his orders to the troops. "There, boys, there! that way the enemy charges thickest! defend that breach secure yon gate! down with those scaling ladders! this way with your kettles of melted pitch, resin, and flaming oil; quick! fly!-get wool packs, and barricade the streets!" In short, he called for all the instruments of death, and everything employed in the defence of a city besieged and stormed. All this while Sancho, pressed and battered, lay and heard what was passing, and often said to himself, "Oh, that it would please the Lord that this island were but taken, and I could see myself either dead or delivered out of this devil's den!" Heaven at last heard his prayers, and, when least expecting it, he was cheered with shouts of triumph. Victory! victory!" they cried: "the enemy is routed. Rise, Signor Governor, enjoy the conquest, and divide the spoils taken from the foe by the valor of that invincible arm! "Raise me up," quoth Sancho, in a woeful tone; and when they had placed him upon his legs, he said, "All the enemies I have routed may be nailed to my forehead. I will divide no spoils; but I beg and entreat some friend, if I have any, to give me a draught of wine to keep me from choking with thirst, and help me to dry up this sweat, for I am almost turned into water.' They untied the targets, wiped him, and brought him wine, and, when seated upon his bed, such had been his fatigue, agony, and terror, that he fainted away. Those concerned in the joke were now sorry they had laid it on so heavily, but were consoled on seeing him recover. He asked them what time it was, and they told him it was daybreak. He said no more, but proceeded in silence to put on his clothes, while the rest looked on, curious to know what were his intentions. 66 At length, having put on his clothes, which he did slowly and with much difficulty, from his bruises, he bent his way to the stable, followed by all present, and going straight to Dapple, he embraced him, and gave him a kiss of peace on his forehead. Come hither," said he, with tears in his eyes, "my friend, and the partner of my fatigues and miseries. When I consorted with thee, and had no other care but mending thy furniture, and feeding that little carcass of thine, happy were my hours, my days, and my years; but since I forsook thee, and mounted the towers of ambition and pride, a thousand toils, a thousand torments, and ten thousand tribulations, have seized and worried my soul." While he thus spoke he fixed the panel upon his ass without interruption from anybody, and when he had done, with great difficulty and pain he got upon him, and said to the steward, the secretary, and the doctor, Pedro Rezio, and many others who were present, 'Make way, gentlemen, make way, and let me return to my ancient liberty: let me seek the life I have left, that I may rise again from this grave. I was not born to be a governor, nor to defend islands nor cities from enemies that break in upon them. I understand better how to plow and dig, to plant and prune vines, than to make laws and to take care of provinces and kingdoms. Saint Peter is well แ at Rome-I mean to say, that nothing | his authority is bound to render an acbecomes a man so well as the employment he was born for. In my hand a sickle is better than a sceptre. I had rather have my bellyful of my own poor porridge, than to be mocked with dainties by an officious doctor who would kill me with hunger; I had rather lay under the shade of an oak in summer, and wrap myself in a jerkin of double sheepskin in winter at my liberty, than lay me down, under the slavery of a government, between Holland sheets, and be robed in fine sables. Heaven be with you, gentlefolks: tell my lord duke that naked was I born, and naked I am; I neither win nor lose; for without a penny came I to this government, and without a penny do I leave it-all governors cannot say the like. Make way, gentlemen, I beseech you, that I may go and plaster myself, for I verily believe all my ribs are broken thanks to the enemies who have been trampling over me all night long." --- count of his administration. Be pleased, my lord, to do so for the time which you have been among us; then peace be with you." Nobody can require that of me," replied Sancho, "but my lord duke; to him I go, and to him I shall give a fair and square account; though, in going away naked as I do, there needs nothing more to show that I have governed like an angel.' Before Heaven," said Doctor Pedro Rezio, "the great Sancho is in the right, and I am of opinion we should let him go; for without doubt his highness will be glad to see him.' They all agreed, therefore, that he should be allowed to depart, and also offered to attend him and provide him with whatever was necessary or convenient for his journey. Sancho told them he wanted only a little barley for Dapple, and half a cheese and half a loaf for himself; that, having so short a distance to travel, nothing more would be needful. Hereupon they all embraced him, which kindness he returned with tears in his eyes, and he left them in admiration both of his good sense and unalterable firmness. WAY. It must not be so, Signor Governor," said the doctor. "I will give your lordship a balsamic draught, good against all kinds of bruises, that shall presently restore you to your former health and vigor; and as to your food, my lord, I promise to amend that, and let you eat abundantly of whatever you desire. Your promises come too late, Mr. Doctor," quoth OF WHAT BEFELL SANCHO PANZA ON HIS Sancho; "I will as soon turn Turk as remain here. These tricks are not to be played twice. 'Fore Heaven, I will no more hold this nor any other government, though it were served up to me in a covered dish, than I will fly to heaven without wings. I am of the race of the Panzas, who are made of stubborn stuff; and if they once cry, Odd! odds it shall be, come of it what will. Here will I leave the flimsy wings that raised me aloft to be pecked at by martlets and other small birds; and be content to walk upon plain ground, with a plain foot; for though it be not adorned with pink Cordovan shoes, it will not wait for hempen sandals. Every sheep with its like; stretch not your feet beyond your sheet: so let me be gone, for it grows late. "Signor Governor," said the steward, we would not presume to hinder your departure, although we are grieved to lose you, because of your wise and Christian conduct; but your lordship knows that every governor before he lays down It was so late that he could not reach the duke's castle that day, although he was within half a league of it, when night, somewhat darker than usual, overtook him; but as it was summer-time, this gave him little concern, and therefore he turned out of the road, intending to proceed no farther till the morning. But in seeking a convenient shelter for the night, his ill-luck so ordered it that he and Dapple fell together into a cavity, among the ruins of an old building. The hole was deep, and Sancho, in the course of his descent, devoutly recommended himself to Heaven, not expecting to stop till he came to the utmost depths of the abyss; but therein he was mistaken, for he had not much exceeded three fathoms before Dapple felt the ground, with Sancho still upon his back, without having received the smallest damage. He forthwith examined the condition of his body, held his breath, and felt all about him, and, finding himself whole and in catholic |