39. The name of a good-natured inchantress in Amadis de Gaul. During the age of knight-errantry, it was usual for ladies to study the art of surgery, in order to dress the wounds of those knights who were their servants. One of the heroines of Perce Forest says to Norgal, ‘Fair nephew, methinks your arm is not at ease.’—‘In faith, dear lady,’ answered Norgal, ‘you are in the right; and I beseech you to take it under your care.’ Then she called her daughter Helen, who entertained her cousin with good cheer, and afterwards reduced his arm which was dislocated.
40. In the original, Quirielyson, from the two Greek words κύριε ἐλέησον, signifying, Lord have mercy.
41. How comes Juana to be so suddenly metamorphosed into Mary?
42. Here Don Quixote seems to have been too scrupulous: for though no squire was permitted to engage with a knight on horseback, yet they were allowed, and even enjoined, to assist their masters when they were unhorsed or in danger, by mounting them on fresh steeds, supplying them with arms, and warding off the blows that were aimed at them; Davy Gam, at the battle of Agincourt, lost his life in defending Henry V. of England, and Saint Severin met with the same fate in warding off the blows that were aimed at Francis I. of France, in the battle of Pavia.
43. The literal meaning of the Spanish is, ‘Thou shalt soon see who is to carry the cat to the water:’ or rather, in the corrupted Biscayan phrase, ‘The water how soon thou wilt see, that thou carriest to the cat.’
44. The behaviour of Don Quixote was exactly conformable to the rules of chivalry; which, though they hindered a knight from fighting in armour with a squire, did not prevent him from giving satisfaction to an inferior, at sword and target; and every squire who was aggrieved had a right to demand it.
45. Panza, in Castilian, signifies Paunch; and Zancas, Spindle-shanks.
46. Santa Hermandad was a brotherhood or society instituted in Spain in times of confusion, to suppress robbery, and render travelling safe.
47. These ridiculous oaths or vows are not confined to romances. Philip, the good Duke of Burgundy, at a publick banquet, vowed to God, the holy virgin, the peacock, and the ladies, that he would declare war against the infidels; and a great number of persons who were present, listed themselves under the same vow, and incurred voluntary penance until it should be accomplished. Some swore they would never lie upon a bed, others renounced the use of a table-cloth, a third set obliged themselves to fast one particular day in the week, a fourth went without one particular piece of armour, a fifth wore his armour night and day, and many confined themselves to shirts of sackcloth and hair.
48. Geoffroi de Rançon, having been injured by the Count de La Marche, swore by the saints that he would wear his buskin like a woman, and never suffer himself to be shaved in the manner of chivalry, until he should be revenged. This oath he scrupulously observed, until he saw his adversary, with his wife and children, kneeling in distress before the king, and imploring his forgiveness; then he called for a stool, adjusted his buskin, and was shaved in presence of his majesty and the court.
The knight’s forehead was commonly shaved, that in case he should lose his helmet in combat, his antagonist should have no hold by which he might be pulled off his horse.
49. We read in Perce Forest, that there were flat stones placed at certain distances in uninhabited parts of the country, for the use of knights-errant; who, having killed a roe-buck, pressed the blood out of it upon one of these tables by the help of another smooth stone, and then eat it with some salt and spices, which they carried along with them for that purpose. This diet is called in the French romances, Chevraux de presse, nourreture des heraux.
50. Volatile, in the original, signifies any things that fly; and therefore Sancho may be supposed to mean, he would provide himself with game or poultry; but the blunder which we have made him commit seems to be more in character.
51. A sort of small fiddle of one piece, with three strings, used by shepherds.
52. The reader will perceive that I have endeavoured to adapt the versification to the plainness and rusticity of the sentiment, which are preserved through the whole of this ballad; though all the other translators seem to have been bent upon setting the poetry at variance with the pastoral simplicity of the thoughts. For example, who would ever dream of a goatherd’s addressing his mistress in these terms?
The original sentiments which this courtly stanza is designed to translate, are literally these:
‘I do not mention the praises I have spoke of your beauty, which, though true in fact, are the occasion of my being hated by some other women.’
53. In the original Spanish, the goatherd, instead of saying as old as Sarah, says, as old as Sarna, which in that language signifies the itch; but as it is impossible to preserve these mistakes in the translation, I have substituted another in its room, which I apprehend is equally natural and expressive.
54. When a knight challenged the whole world, he wore an emprize, consisting of a gold chain, or some other badge of love and chivalry; and sometimes this emprize was fixed in a publick place, to attract the attention of strangers. When any person accepted the challenge for a trial of chivalry, called the combat of courtesy, he touched this emprize; but, if he tore it away, it was considered as a resolution to fight the owner to extremity or outrance. The combat of courtesy is still practised by our prize-fighters and boxers, who shake hands before the engagement, in token of love.
But no defiance of this kind could be either published or accepted without the permission of the prince at whose court the combatants chanced to be. Accordingly, we are told by Oliver de La Marche, that the lord of Ternant having published a defiance at the court of Burgundy, in the year 1445, Galiot asked the duke’s permission to touch the challenger’s emprize; which being granted, he advanced and touched it, saying to the bearer, while he bowed very low, ‘Noble knight, I touch your emprize; and, with God’s permission, will do my utmost to fulfil your desire, either on horseback or on foot.’ The lord of Ternant humbly thanked him for his condescension, said he was extremely welcome, and promised to send him that same day a cartel, mentioning the arms they should use.
55. Cachopines is the name given to the Europeans by the Indians of Mexico.
56. Tizona, which is the word in the original, is a romantick name given to the sword that belonged to Roderick Dias de Bivar, the famous Spanish general against the Moors.
57. Literally, what is left in the bottom of his inkhorn.
58. Don Quixote seems in this place to have forgot one adventure of his great pattern, Orlando, who, while he accompanied Angelica in her flight from Albracca, happened to intrude upon the king of the Lestrigons as he sat at dinner in a valley; and being in great want of victuals, accosted his most savage majesty in these words, recorded by Boyardo, or rather Berni, in his poem intitled Orlando Innamorato.
Thus humbly requesting, that he would either for love or money give them a bone to pick.
59. In the original, from Ceca to Mecca; a phrase derived from the customs of the Moors, who used to go in pilgrimage to these two places. Ceca was in the city of Cordova.
60. Zebra is a beautiful creature, native of Arabia, vulgarly called the wild ass.
61. I have endeavoured to preserve an alliteration in tooth and treasure, after the example of Cervantes, who seems to have intended it, in the words diente and diamante.
62. Knights engaged themselves, by oath, to protect the widow and the orphan, to redress all injuries; and, in a special manner, to defend the characters of ladies by force of arms.
63. In Castilian, bocina signifies a cornet, or hunting-horn, to which the Spaniards suppose the constellation of Ursa Minor bears some resemblance.
64. Oregano, in the original, signifies sweet marjoram; as if Sancho had wished his master might find a nosegay, rather than a bloody nose.
65. The Spaniards of old paid a tribute of five hundred sueldos, or pieces of coin, to the Moors, until they were delivered from this imposition by the gallantry of the gentlemen or people of rank, from which exploit a Castilian of family used to express the nobility and worth of his extraction, by saying he was of the revenge of the Sueldos.
66. Literally, ‘Never beg when you can take.’
67. In the original, ‘A snatch from behind a bush is better than the prayer of good men.’
68. This seems to have been intended as a stroke of satire against those princes who sell nobility to the highest bidder, without any regard to the merit of the purchaser.
69. A crime that is punished by the pillory in England, is in Spain expiated by the convict’s being mounted upon an ass, in a particular dress, and led through the streets by a crier, who proclaims the transgression.
70. This is a good hint for a reforming legislature.
71. It was the custom of knights to wear a coat of arms made of some rich stuff figured in a particular manner. The Duke of Brabant being called in a hurry to the battle of Agincourt, took a trumpeter’s banner, and making a hole through the middle, put it over his head, and wore it as his coat of arms.
72. This is an oversight of the author, who seems to have forgot that Sancho lost his wallet at the inn, and was robbed by the galley-slaves of the great coat or cloak, in which he carried the remains of that provision he had taken from those who attended the dead body towards Segovia.
73. A chain of dusky mountains that divide Castile from Andalusia.
74. Here Cervantes hath been caught napping by the criticks; who observe, that Sancho could not be mounted on the ass, which was but just now stolen by Gines de Passamonte.
75. As it is impossible to preserve the original blunders of Sancho, who mistakes Fili or Phillis, for Hilo, that signifies a thread, we are obliged to substitute another, by changing Phillis into Chloe, which Sancho, in English, might have as naturally mistaken for a clue; and by this expedient the sense of the passage is not hurt, and but very little altered.
76. Methinks it is inconsistent with the character of the knight, to allow Sancho to tell such a fraudulent untruth in his hearing; nor is Panza’s behaviour on this occasion much for the honour of his simplicity.
77. Queen Madasima, a lady in Amadis de Gaul, attended by one Elisabat, a surgeon with whom she travels, and lies in woods and desarts.
78. The Beautiful Obscure.
79. Lo! Sancho’s ass hath disappeared again.
80. Probably alluding to the epitaph of Phaeton.
81. Bamba, or Wamba, king of the Visigoths in Spain, mounted the throne in the year 672, and was famous for his success against the Arabians, as well as for his attachment to the Christian religion, as a proof of which he retired into a monastery, and resigned the kingdom to Ervige.
82. There is no such letter mentioned in his conversation with Don Quixote.
83. Who murdered Sancho I. king of Castile, while he was engaged in the siege of Zamora.
84. The original pues presente pocas vezes lo bazía, signifies, ‘Since while I was present she did it very seldom.’ This at first sight appears a solecism, and the petulant critick will exclaim, ‘What occasion had she to write to her lover who was present, unless she had lost the faculty of speech!’ But the seeming absurdity will vanish, when we reflect that by present, he means, in the same city with his mistress; to whom, however, according to the custom of Spain, he had little or no access but by a literary correspondence.
85. As if he had said Ape-land, mico signifying an ape.
86. When a knight had once granted a boon in this manner, it was impossible for him to retract, let the request be never so extravagant. We are told by Joinville, that the queen of St. Lewis, being big with child, and in the utmost terror of falling alive into the hands of the infidels at Damietta in Egypt, fell upon her knees before an old knight turned of fourscore, and conjured him to grant her boon: the old man having promised to comply, on the faith of his knighthood, she told him the favour she so pressingly solicited, was, that he would cut off her head before she should fall into the hands of the enemy, provided the Saracens should become masters of the town. The senior answered without hesitation, that she might depend upon his sword; and owned he had taken that resolution even before she signified her request.
87. This is a diverting example of the Bathos, not unlike that anticlimax repeated in the art of sinking.
88. If the knight was robbed of his own sword by Gines, where did he find that which he wore on this occasion?
89. Literally, Sleeves are good even after Easter; i. e. Though a good thing comes late, it is never unseasonable.
90. Literally, “Took the road in his hands.”
91. It will appear in the sequel, that the landlord could not read at all; nevertheless, he might boast of what he could not do.
92. The original, which is curioso impertinente, signifies one who is impertinently curious, not a curious impertinent.
93. Ludovico Ariosto, author of Orlando Furioso, to which poem Cervantes frequently alludes. Here, however, he seems to have forgot the passage he meant to cite; for the person who proffered the cup to Rinaldo, was no doctor. In Canto 43, of the Orlando Furioso, mention is made, indeed, of one Anselmo, who was a Doctor of Law, but not at all concerned in the inchanted cup: yet it must be owned, that Dr. Anselmo had recourse to an astrologer, in order to know whether his wife preserved her chastity in his absence.
94. Sensato, secreto, sobrepusado, senzero; Sensible, secret, surpassing, and sincere.
95. But it appears in the preceding page, that he was already known both to Fernando and Lucinda. Aliquando bonus dormitat Homerus.
96. In the original, ‘As will put salt in the skull.’
97. Literally, ‘You shall see when the eggs are fried.’ A phrase alluding to the story of a thief, who having stole a frying-pan, and being asked by the owner what he carried under his cloak, replied, ‘You will see when the eggs are fried.’ Metaphorically, ‘Time will discover.’
98. Alluding to the charity given at the gates of monasteries.
99. I. e. Do not amount to 1000, which is a number expressed by four figures.
100. The literal translation is, ‘For, from the skirts—for I would not mention the ‘sleeves.’ The Spaniards, instead of the English phrase, ‘By Hook or by Crook,’ use this of ‘From the sleeves, or the skirts;’ derived from the practice of taylors, who are supposed to cabbage from those parts of the habit in which there is the greatest quantity of cloth; but the knight’s exception of sleeves, on this occasion, seems to have proceeded from a supposition that poor scholars are generally provided for in the church, and consequently wear cassocks, which descend to the heels.
101. Cavalier is an artificial mount raised in a fortress for the convenience of scouring a field, or opposing a commanding work of the enemy.
102. The strentrel, or estanterol, is a post that supports the awning of the poop.
103. A Dalmatian trooper.
104. Zala, or Sala, is the Moorish salutation.
105. Cava, or Caba, daughter of Count Julian, Count of Ceuta, was violated by Roderick king of Spain; and, in order to revenge this injury, the father called the Saracens into that kingdom, in the year 712.
107. A judge in Spanish is called Oyder, i. e. Hearer; and the original, literally translated, is, ‘The hearer was never so much an hearer before.’
108. Cervantes seems to have forgot that the judge was the youngest of the three brothers, the second having gone to the Indies.
109. In the original demi-donzellas, equivalent to the modern term demi-reps.
110. Alluding to the delinquents, who were branded and marked with these figures.
111. Literally, ‘Lady of a crown.’
112. The original would be more literally translated, by saying, ‘The law’s measure is the king’s pleasure.’
113. A bridal benediction.
114. It were to be wished, for the honour of Spanish innkeepers, that Cervantes had caused mine host to restore Sancho’s wallet, which he had detained on the day of the blanketting; as such restitution would have increased the general satisfaction.
115. A word of equal signification with mentironiana, from mentereso, a lyar.
116. In the original, mi padre! my father! which I have changed for an exclamation more frequently used in our language.
117. In the text, the knight is guilty of a palpable solecism, in desiring Sancho to touch and feel that which he himself expressly observes was subject neither to touch or feeling.
118. Written by Cervantes himself.
119. Equivalent to our saying, ‘Every Jack is not a good fellow.’
120. A Spanish proverb, applicable to a great many modern projectors and reformers.
121. Buscar gullirias, signifies to seek dainties.
122. Lopez de Vega Carpio.
123. Literally, ‘Never lost the stirrup.’
124. Toca, which is the original word, signifies a woman’s coif, veil, or handkerchief.
125. Persons hired to whip themselves on such occasions.
126. The horse of Orlando Furioso was called Brigliadoro; as Bayardo was the name of the steed belonging to Ruggiero, the second, if not the first hero in Ariosto’s incomparable poem.
127. The battle of Lepanto.
128. Novales Exemplares.
129. Ridiculous as this scheme may seem to be, such an expedient has actually succeeded in practice. During the captivity of John King of France, his dominions were ravaged by above one hundred thousand peasants, who, under the name of Jacquieers, assembled in arms to exterminate the noblesse; and among other horrid outrages, murdered every gentleman that fell in their way. The Duchess of Normandy and Orleans, together with three hundred ladies of rank, retired for protection to Meaux, where they were surrounded, and would have actually perished by the swords of these banditti, had they not been rescued by the Count de Foix, and the captal of Buch; who, hearing of their distress, hastened to their relief with no more than sixty knights; and, without hesitation, attacked that furious multitude with such bravery and vigour, that they were soon routed and dispersed.
130. A certain number of churches through which they made circuits, uttering an appointed prayer at each.
131. Pedir cotufas en el golfo, signifies to look for tartuffles in the sea; a proverb applicable to those who are too sanguine in their expectations, and unreasonable in their desires.
132. Aun ay sol en las bardas. There is still sun-shine on the wall, i. e. It is not yet too late.
133. Finding it impossible to translate the original pun or blunder, I have substituted another in its room, on the word Grammatical, which I think has at least an equally good effect.
134. The original is, ‘De paja, y di beno, el jergonelleno;’ i. e. ‘The bed is filled, though it be with hay and straw.’
135. Alphonsus Tostatus, bishop of Avila, was said to have known every thing that could be known. He made a figure at the council of Basil; wrote twenty-seven volumes; and dying in the fortieth year of his age, was interred in the church of Avila, with this epitaph:——Hic stupor est mundi, qui scibile discutit omne.
136. In Spanish, Me pondra en la espina de Santa Lucia; i. e. ‘Will put me on St. Lucia’s thorn:’ applicable to any uneasy situation.
137. As related in the famous poem of Orlando Inamorato, composed by Boyardo, of which the Orlando Furioso of Ariosto is the continuation.
138. In the original, ‘Black for white.’
139. Literally, badeas, a kind of water melon.
140. This is the cry uttered by the Spaniards when they charge in battle.
141. Baylar el agua delante, is a phrase applicable to those who do their duty with alacrity, taken from the practice of watering the courts in Spain, an office which the maids perform with a motion that resembles dancing.
142. Alonzo de Ercilla, author of the Auraucana; Juan Rufo de Cordova, author of the Austriada; Christopher Verves de Valentia, author of the Monserratte; and as for the half, Cervantes in all probability meant himself.
143. Sancho’s wife has already been mentioned under the names of Juana and Mary, and now she is called Teresa.
144. Almohada signifies a cushion.
145. Alluding to the bough that is adorned and carried in procession on Palm Sunday.
146. A dress put upon convicted hereticks.
147. The original, ventura, signifies good luck as well as adventures.
148. I have substituted this play upon the word proportion, in lieu of Sancho’s blundering on rata.
149. Like our Chevy Chase.
150. As the original quotation is a fragment that will not complete the sense, I have taken the liberty to make the allusion altogether English.
151. Literally, ‘a squire of wool and water,’ an allusion to a custom among the Spaniards, who sometimes have domesticks to attend them to mass, and sprinkle them with holy water: these are generally shabby fellows, who have very poor appointments.
152. A brass statue on a steeple at Seville, serving for a weather-cock.
153. These are stone statues of bulls, erected by the Romans at Guisando, a town in Castile; all the inscriptions are effaced, except the name of A. Quintus Cæcilius, Consul II.