Miguel Cervantes

THE HISTORY OF DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA
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CHAPTER LXV.

Wherein is contained the information given to Don Quixote how to disenchant Dulcinea; with other wonderful passages.

When the pleasant music drew near, there appeared a stately triumphal chariot, drawn by six dun mules, covered with white, upon each of which sat a penitent, clad also in white, and holding a great lighted torch in his hand. The carriage was twice or thrice longer than any of the former, twelve other penitents being placed at the top and sides, all in white, and bearing likewise each a lighted torch, which made a dazzling and surprising appearance. There was a high throne erected at the farther end, on which sat a nymph arrayed in cloth of silver, with many golden spangles glittering all about her, which made her dress, though not rich, appear very glorious. Her face was covered with transparent gauze, through the flowing folds of which might be descried a most beautiful face; and, by the great light which the torches gave, it was easy to discern that, as she was not less than seventeen years of age, neither could she be thought above twenty. Close by her was a figure, clad in a long gown, like that of a magistrate, reaching down to its feet, and its head covered with a black veil. When they came directly opposite to the company, the hautboys that played before ceased, and the Spanish harps and lutes that were in the chariot did the like; then the figure in the gown stood up; and, opening its garments and throwing away its mourning veil, discovered a bare and frightful skeleton, that represented the deformed figure of Death; which startled Don Quixote, made Sancho's bones rattle in his skin for fear, and caused the duke and the duchess to seem more than commonly disturbed. This living Death being thus got up, [Pg 297] in a dull, heavy, sleepy tone, as if its tongue had not been well awake, began in this manner:

 

 "O glory thou of all that e'er could grace
 A coat of steel, and fence of adamant!
 Light, lantern, path, and polar star and guide
 To all who dare dismiss ignoble sleep
 And downy ease for exercise of arms,
 For toils continual, perils, wounds, and blood!
 Knight of unfathomed worth, abyss of praise,
 Who blend'st in one the prudent and the brave:
 To thee, great Quixote, I this truth declare;
 That, to restore to her true state and form
 Toboso's pride, the peerless Dulcinea,
 'Tis Fate's decree, that Sancho do bestow
 Three thousand lashes, and eke three hundred more,
 Each to afflict and sting and gall him sore;
 So shall relent the authors of her woes,
 Whose awful will I for her ease disclose."
 

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