The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
General
The Junior Classics, Volume 4: Heroes and heroines of chivalry
Children's literature
"A happy searcher and a happy finding," cried Sancho; "my master shall
soon slay the great lubber of a giant, unless he turn out to be a
phantom, for he has no power over those things. And when this is done,
my lord shall marry the princess, whose name, by the bye, you have not
yet told me, and by this means shall he become an emperor, and have
islands to give away."
"Her name," replied the curate, "is the Princess Micomicona, and as to
your master's marriage, I will do what I can to help."
Sancho was quite satisfied with these answers, and, when Dorothea had
mounted the mule, he guided them towards the spot where Don Quixote
was to be found. And as they went along, the barber told Sancho he
must in no way pretend to know who he was, for if he did, Don Quixote
would never leave the mountains and would never become an emperor. The
curate and Cardenio remained behind, promising to join them again on
the first opportunity.
Having travelled about three-quarters of a league, they found Don
Quixote clothed, though still unarmed, sitting amidst the rocks. No
sooner did Sancho tell Dorothea that this was his master than she
whipped up her palfrey, closely followed by the well-bearded barber,
who jumped from his mule, and ran to help his lady alight.
Quickly dismounting, she threw herself on her knees before Don
Quixote, and refusing his efforts to raise her, spoke as follows:
"Never will I rise from this position, most valiant and invincible
knight, until you grant me a boon which will not only add to your
honour and renown, but also assist the most injured and unfortunate
damsel that ever the sun beheld. And if the valour of your mighty arm
be equal to what I have heard of your immortal fame, you can indeed
render aid to a miserable being who comes from a far-distant land to
seek your help."
"Beauteous lady," replied Don Quixote, "I will not answer one word,
nor hear a jot of your affairs, until you rise from the ground."
"I will not rise, my lord," answered the unfortunate maiden, "until I
have obtained from you the boon I beg."
"Dear lady," replied Don Quixote, "it is granted, so that it be not
anything that touches my duty to my king, my country, or the chosen
queen of my heart."
"Your kindness shall in no way affect them," replied Dorothea.
At this moment Sancho came up and whispered softly in his master's
ear: "Sir, you may very well grant the request she asketh, for it is a
mere nothing; it is only to kill a monstrous giant, and she that
demands it is the Princess Micomicona, Queen of the great Kingdom of
Micomicon in Ethiopia."
"Let her be what she will," said Don Quixote, "I will do my duty
towards her." And then turning to the damsel, he said: "Rise, most
beautiful lady, for I grant you any boon you shall please to ask of
me."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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