OF WHAT HAPPENED TO DON QUIXOTE IN THE CASTLE OR HOUSE OF
THE KNIGHT OF THE GREEN COAT, TOGETHER WITH OTHER MATTERS
OUT OF THE COMMON
The Knight of the Green Coat--which was the name Don Quixote had
conferred on his host--reached his house in the afternoon, and he was
welcomed home by his wife and son, who could not help staring in
amazement at the strange figure Don Quixote presented. The latter
advanced to the wife and kissed her virtuously on the hand, after
having first asked her permission; and she received him courteously,
as did the son also. Then he was escorted into the house, and Sancho
helped him to remove his armor and to wash him clean of the curds,
which had run down his face and his neck. This being done, Don Quixote
joined father and son in another room.
It was not long before Don Lorenzo, the young son, was perplexed by
the knight's behavior and conversation, and at his first opportunity
he confided this perplexity to his father. Don Diego told him that he
himself was at his wit's end, for he had heard him speak as sensibly
as he ever heard any man speak; then again, he said, he had seen him
perform the most unbelievable acts of madness. Don Lorenzo again
engaged in conversation with Don Quixote, who told the young man that
he had already learned from his father of his great talents as a poet.
The youth modestly disclaimed being entitled to be called a great
poet; and the absence of conceit in one of this calling pleased the
knight greatly. And he went on, discoursing on matters pertaining to
education, on universities, and degrees, and his opinions seemed to
Don Lorenzo so authoritative and advanced that he was at a loss to
know what to conclude, until Don Quixote suddenly began to talk about
the science of knight-errantry, which he maintained surpassed all
other sciences.
Don Lorenzo interrupted, of course, saying that he had never heard of
any such science; he had read books of chivalry but had never believed
that any knights had existed, he said. When Don Quixote heard the
youth speak such blasphemy, he prayed that heaven should deliver him
from his false illusions as to the existence of knight-errantry! Just
then dinner was served.
While they were eating, Don Quixote asked Don Lorenzo to repeat some
of his verses to him, and the youth read some of his glosses and
sonnets. Don Quixote was extremely impressed with them, and he praised
the youth's rare gift in eloquent language. This praise--although he
knew it to come from a madman--so pleased Don Lorenzo's father that he
begged Don Quixote to remain; and for four days the knight was
entertained by Don Diego.
Then Don Quixote felt it his duty to break away from luxury and
idleness in order to live up to the laws of knight-errantry, Sancho
left with a sigh, and a tear in his eye, for never in his life had he
lived so well. However, he saw to it that he was well provisioned
before they departed. Don Quixote was anxious to see the poet turn
knight-errant, he said, but since his parents no doubt would not
permit him to give up his chosen work he thought it best not to
attempt to sway them in their convictions. And so he and his squire
took leave with many courtesies, while Don Diego and his family were
pitying the poor demented knight in their hearts and still were
wondering at his nonsense.