was of the Rueful, after submitting to the embrace
pushed him back a little and, placing his hands on
Don Quixote’s shoulders, stood gazing at him
as if seeking to see whether he knew him, not less
amazed, perhaps, at the sight of the face, figure,
and armour of Don Quixote than Don Quixote was at
the sight of him. To be brief, the first to speak
after embracing was the Ragged One, and he said what
will be told farther on.
IN WHICH IS CONTINUED THE ADVENTURE OF THE SIERRA MORENA
The history relates that it was with the greatest
attention Don Quixote listened to the ragged knight
of the Sierra, who began by saying:
“Of a surety, senor, whoever you are, for I
know you not, I thank you for the proofs of kindness
and courtesy you have shown me, and would I were in
a condition to requite with something more than good-will
that which you have displayed towards me in the cordial
reception you have given me; but my fate does not
afford me any other means of returning kindnesses
done me save the hearty desire to repay them.”
“Mine,” replied Don Quixote, “is
to be of service to you, so much so that I had resolved
not to quit these mountains until I had found you,
and learned of you whether there is any kind of relief
to be found for that sorrow under which from the strangeness
of your life you seem to labour; and to search for
you with all possible diligence, if search had been
necessary. And if your misfortune should prove
to be one of those that refuse admission to any sort
of consolation, it was my purpose to join you in lamenting
and mourning over it, so far as I could; for it is
still some comfort in misfortune to find one who can
feel for it. And if my good intentions deserve
to be acknowledged with any kind of courtesy, I entreat
you, senor, by that which I perceive you possess in
so high a degree, and likewise conjure you by whatever
you love or have loved best in life, to tell me who
you are and the cause that has brought you to live
or die in these solitudes like a brute beast, dwelling
among them in a manner so foreign to your condition
as your garb and appearance show. And I swear,”
added Don Quixote, “by the order of knighthood
which I have received, and by my vocation of knight-errant,
if you gratify me in this, to serve you with all the
zeal my calling demands of me, either in relieving
your misfortune if it admits of relief, or in joining
you in lamenting it as I promised to do.”
The Knight of the Thicket, hearing him of the Rueful
Countenance talk in this strain, did nothing but stare
at him, and stare at him again, and again survey him
from head to foot; and when he had thoroughly examined
him, he said to him:
“If you have anything to give me to eat, for
God’s sake give it me, and after I have eaten
I will do all you ask in acknowledgment of the goodwill
you have displayed towards me.”
