_Guzman in his way to Toledo meets with a young man: what passed between
them._
I tripped along so briskly, that after two nights trudge, I found myself
in the midst of the _Sagra_, near a wood called Açuqueyca, within about
two leagues of Toledo. I entered this wood, intending to rest there the
whole of the day, that I might not enter the City till night. I sat down
under a shady tree, and began to think in what manner I should spend my
money. I soon determined on so many fine purchases, that four times what
I possessed would have been insufficient to have procured them. It were
impossible to enumerate the variety of visions and fancies that
possessed my mind. I was no longer afraid of appearing before my
relations like a beggar, but now looked forward with pleasure to my
arrival at Genoa, and all the purchases that I made in my mind, were
with a view to cut a most brilliant figure among them.
A stream of clear spring water ran at my feet, with which I found myself
much refreshed, and beginning to feel hungry, I spread my provisions on
the grass for breakfast. Scarcely had I eaten a mouthful, when I heard a
noise, and turning round hastily, I was much alarmed at perceiving a man
close behind me, seated also on the grass, with his head reclining
against a tree. But when I considered him with attention I soon found
that I had nothing to fear. He appeared to be about my own age, but
seemed as raw and inexperienced as if he had not been long weaned from
his mother’s breast. Although he was well dressed and had a large
bundle lying at his side, through which I could discern some clothes and
linen, he looked so unhappy that I judged his purse could not be very
full, and set him down for some knight-errant like myself, who had been
fool enough to forsake his family to wander about the world. We stared
at each other for some moments without saying a word; but when I
observed that he looked with a longing eye on my provisions, I could not
help pitying him. His eager looks reminded me of my own feelings when I
stood before the kind-hearted Monk at the Inn; and I determined not to
be less generous than his Reverence. I, therefore, immediately invited
this young man in the most polite manner to breakfast with me. Shame
prevented him at first from accepting my offer; but when I repeated it,
he laid aside his modesty, and confessed to me that he had not tasted
any thing for the last four and twenty hours. This I found no
difficulty in believing, when I saw in what style he demolished the
meat and the bread and cheese I gave him.
During the repast we inquired of each other concerning our travels. He
told me that he had come from Toledo, and was going to Madrid; and I
acquainted him that I had just come from Burgos and was on my way to
Cordova. He then related a most romantic story about the occasion of his
pilgrimage, and I was not more sincere with him: considering that he was
but a novice, he lied with a very good grace, and by no means disgraced
his countrymen, who have the reputation for wit and smart answers on
every occasion. I asked him, how he came to set out on his journey,
without providing himself with victuals. He replied, that he had not had
time to procure any, having been forced to leave the place with
precipitation, and that he was more laden with clothes than money. “So
much the worse,” said I, “so much the worse; money is the most
necessary commodity for a traveller now-a-days; for even though you were
going on a pilgrimage to St. Jago in Galicia, I would not advise you to
reckon much upon charity, which has grown very cold of late; you will
find something more than your staff necessary to support you by the
way.” “I perfectly agree with you,” replied the Toledan, “and am well
aware of my imprudence in setting out without provisions; but as it
cannot now be remedied, it is useless to regret it.”
“It is in your own power,” answered I, “to repair your neglect, by
disposing of a part of the clothes contained in that large bundle, which
you must find extremely burdensome. Money is more portable.” “Granted,”
said he, “and I need not inform you that it is my intention to sell at
least half of them, as soon as I can find a purchaser.” “Perhaps,”
replied I, “without going any further, you have a man before you who is
willing to relieve you of the greater part of your load, and give you as
much for them as they are worth. Shew me the contents of your bundle,
and I will select such as I am inclined to purchase.” My little
gentleman turned pale at these words; he considered me a knave who
intended to repay myself for the breakfast by robbing him of a part of
his property, or at least, that I was willing to amuse myself at his
expense; for when he surveyed my elegant attire, which was not worth
four maravedis, he could not for a moment think that I was in earnest:
every one is apt to judge in this manner, forming opinions of strangers
from the difference of dress and outward appearances. _Such as I see
you, such I take you to be._
I observed his confusion; or rather, saw plainly that he suspected my
intentions; and as he made no answer, I drew out one of my bags very
deliberately, untied it, and exhibited a handful of reals to his
astonished eyes: “I believe, my little hero,” said I, “that here is
enough to pay for what I wish to buy of you.” The colour was soon
restored to his cheeks at this sight; he immediately left off eating,
and ran to fetch his bundle, saying that all he had was at my service.
At the same time he was proceeding to show me his best suits, but this I
would not permit, until we had finished our meal. His hopes seemed to
serve as a fresh sauce to his appetite, and he fell to again, as though
he could not do sufficient honor to my breakfast; he could scarcely
contain the joy that he felt.
That he might not form an ill opinion of me on account of my appearance,
and to prevent his suspecting that the money which he had just seen was
ill got, I addressed him to this effect:--“Whatever you may take me
for,” said I, “be assured that I am in reality as well born as
yourself. This I have thought fit to inform you, that you may learn not
always to judge of people by their looks. When I left Burgos I had as
good clothes as you, but I sold them in the first village I passed
through, to relieve myself of so inconvenient a burden, and contented
myself with these tattered garments, which would excite the pity, or at
the worst the compassion, of thieves whom a better dress would probably
have tempted. If I had not taken this precaution I should have been
robbed a hundred times ere this, and be at this moment without a single
maravedi in my pocket. As, however, it is my intention to stop at Toledo
for some time in my way to Cordova, I have now immediate occasion for a
good suit of clothes; and if you have any that will fit me, I am ready
to be a purchaser.”
The Toledan, burning with impatience to commence business, with his
mouth still full, began to spread out on the grass a complete suit, the
cloak of which was of most excellent cloth of a light grey colour,
together with two fine shirts and a pair of silk stockings. I tried them
all on, and they fitted me exactly. This the young man did not fail to
tell me, to make me have the better opinion of them. He seemed
apprehensive that my money would slip through his fingers, or that I
should change my mind. He need have been under no such fear, for I was
as anxious to buy as he was to sell, so that our bargain was soon
struck. He asked me a hundred reals, and I agreed to give him this
price, upon condition that he would truck his clothes-bag with me for my
hamper. This he consented to, and I put my money into it, with the two
shirts and the silk stockings. My new clothes I still wore; and I hung
up the old suit and the rest of my rags on a tree, as a trophy of my
success in beggary. The Toledan on his side filled the hamper with his
goods, and the victuals that were left. During all this time, the Sun
was insensibly going down, and the hour of parting having arrived, we
embraced each other with a thousand professions of friendship: after
which we each pursued our particular route, both well satisfied with our
bargain.