with “Leandra,” “Leandra”
murmur the brooks, and Leandra keeps us all bewildered
and bewitched, hoping without hope and fearing without
knowing what we fear. Of all this silly set the
one that shows the least and also the most sense is
my rival Anselmo, for having so many other things to
complain of, he only complains of separation, and
to the accompaniment of a rebeck, which he plays admirably,
he sings his complaints in verses that show his ingenuity.
I follow another, easier, and to my mind wiser course,
and that is to rail at the frivolity of women, at their
inconstancy, their double dealing, their broken promises,
their unkept pledges, and in short the want of reflection
they show in fixing their affections and inclinations.
This, sirs, was the reason of words and expressions
I made use of to this goat when I came up just now;
for as she is a female I have a contempt for her,
though she is the best in all my fold. This is
the story I promised to tell you, and if I have been
tedious in telling it, I will not be slow to serve
you; my hut is close by, and I have fresh milk and
dainty cheese there, as well as a variety of toothsome
fruit, no less pleasing to the eye than to the palate.
CHAPTER LII.
OF THE QUARREL THAT DON QUIXOTE HAD WITH THE GOATHERD, TOGETHER WITH THE
RARE ADVENTURE OF THE PENITENTS, WHICH WITH AN EXPENDITURE OF SWEAT HE
BROUGHT TO A HAPPY CONCLUSION
The goatherd’s tale gave great satisfaction
to all the hearers, and the canon especially enjoyed
it, for he had remarked with particular attention
the manner in which it had been told, which was as
unlike the manner of a clownish goatherd as it was
like that of a polished city wit; and he observed
that the curate had been quite right in saying that
the woods bred men of learning. They all offered
their services to Eugenio but he who showed himself
most liberal in this way was Don Quixote, who said
to him, “Most assuredly, brother goatherd, if
I found myself in a position to attempt any adventure,
I would, this very instant, set out on your behalf,
and would rescue Leandra from that convent (where no
doubt she is kept against her will), in spite of the
abbess and all who might try to prevent me, and would
place her in your hands to deal with her according
to your will and pleasure, observing, however, the
laws of chivalry which lay down that no violence of
any kind is to be offered to any damsel. But
I trust in God our Lord that the might of one malignant
enchanter may not prove so great but that the power
of another better disposed may prove superior to it,
and then I promise you my support and assistance,
as I am bound to do by my profession, which is none
other than to give aid to the weak and needy.”
The goatherd eyed him, and noticing Don Quixote’s
sorry appearance and looks, he was filled with wonder,
and asked the barber, who was next him, “Senor,
who is this man who makes such a figure and talks in
such a strain?”
