The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo VillegasQuevedo, Francisco de
General
The Visions of Dom Francisco de Quevedo Villegas
Quevedo, Francisco de
Satire; Spanish literature -- Translations into English
While they were upon these glorious rhodomontades, certain generous
spirits from the right-hand way, that knew what they were, by the boxes
of passports, testimonials, and recommendations they wore at their
girdles, cried out to them, as if it had been to an attack: “Fall on,
fall on, my lads, and follow me. This, this is the path of honour, and
if you were not poltroons you would not quit it for fear of a hard march,
or an ill lodging. Courage comrades; and be assured that this combat
well fought makes all your fortunes, and crowns ye for ever. Here, ye
shall be sure both of pay and reward, without casting the issue of all
your hazards and hopes upon the empty promises of princes. How long will
ye pursue this trade of blood and rapine? And accustom your ears and
tongues to the tragical outcries of, Burn; No quarter; Kill, or Die. It
is not pay, or pillage, but Virtue that’s a brave man’s recompense.
Trust to her, and she’ll not deceive ye. If it be the war ye love, come
to us; bear arms on the right side, and we’ll find you work. Do not you
know that man’s life is a warfare? That the world, the flesh, and the
devil, are three vigilant enemies? And that it is as much as his soul is
worth, to put himself, but for one minute, out of his guard. Princes
tell ye, that your bloods and your lives are theirs, and that to shed the
one, and lose the other, in their service, is no obligation, but a duty.
You are still however to look to the cause; wherefore turn head, and come
along with us, and be happy.” The soldiers heard all this with exceeding
patience and attention; but the brand of cowardice had such an effect
upon them, that without any more ado, like men of honour, they presently
quitted the road; drew; and as bold as lions, charged headlong into a
tavern.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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