WHEREIN IS CONTINUED THE INSTRUCTION GIVEN TO DON QUIXOTE
TOUCHING THE DISENCHANTMENT OF DULCINEA, TOGETHER WITH
OTHER MARVELOUS INCIDENTS
As the sound of the music came closer, they distinguished a triumphal
car, several times larger than the other ones, and on it were seated
two figures, surrounded by a great many penitents, robed in white, and
with lighted wax tapers in their hands. One of the figures was a young
maiden in the costume of a nymph. She was very beautiful. The other
one was dressed in a robe of state and had her head covered with a
black veil.
As the car reached the spot where the Duke and Duchess and Don Quixote
were standing, the music suddenly ceased, and the figure in the long
robe rose and removed both the robe and the veil. All were astonished
to find themselves face to face with Death. Sancho was frightened; Don
Quixote felt ill at ease; and even the Duke and the Duchess seemed
uncomfortable.
Then Death began to declaim a long poem which ended with the
announcement that the Lady Dulcinea was enchanted by himself, the sage
Merlin, here in the guise of Death, and that she could be redeemed in
but one way: by three thousand three hundred lashes administered on
Don Quixote's squire Sancho.
When Sancho heard this he exclaimed that he would rather stab himself
than take the lashes, for he failed to see what he had to do with the
enchantment of the Lady Dulcinea. This talk infuriated Don Quixote,
who threatened to tie him to a tree and lay on the lashes himself, if
his faithful squire had so little respect for his beloved one that he
would not sacrifice himself to such an extent. But Merlin said that
would have no effect, for the worthy Sancho must do the sacrifice of
his own free will, or the disenchantment could not be accomplished.
Sancho, however, was as stubborn as a mule, and it was not until the
Duke himself took a hand in the matter and threatened him with the
loss of his governorship that he gave in; and then a compromise was
made whereby Sancho promised to inflict the three thousand three
hundred lashes upon himself. Merlin assured him, however, that if he
should make any mistake in counting them, it would soon be known; for
the moment all the lashes had been dealt, the Lady Dulcinea would be
released--neither one lash before, nor one lash after--and she would
at once come to thank and reward him for his sacrifice.
As soon as Sancho had testified his willingness to serve his master and
his master's lady, Don Quixote fell on his squire's neck and kissed him.
The Duke and the Duchess praised him for his unselfishness. And the music
played again. Then the car moved on, Lady Dulcinea bowed to Sancho and
the ducal pair, and dawn appeared with its glowing smile. The muskets
were again heard; and all was calm.
The Duke was pleased beyond measure with his idea, which had been so
effectively carried out. The hunt was at an end, and all returned
happy and content--all except Sancho, who could not help thinking of
the pain he was to give himself. But the Duke was bent on hitting upon
new schemes whereby he should be able to continue the gaiety that
Sancho and his master caused.