Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/11

Book IV. Effect: Since the Solitariness of these Rocks hath not: been potent to conceal me, nor the disheveling of my disordered Hairs licensed my Tongue to belie my Sex, it were in vain for me to feign that a-new, which, if you believed it, would be more for Courtesy's sake, than any other Respect; which presupposed, I say, good Sirs that I do gratify you highly for the liberal Offers you have made me; which are such as have bound me to satisfy your Demand as near as I may; altho' I fear the Relation which I must make to you of my Mishaps, will breed Sorrow at once with Compassion in you, by reason you shall not be able to find any Salve that may cure, comfort, or beguile them; yet notwithstanding, to the end my Reputation may not hover longer suspended in your Opinions, seeing you know me to be a Woman, and view me young, alone, and thus attired, being Things all of them able, either joined or parted, to overthrow the best Credit, I must be enforced to unfold what I could otherwise most willingly conceal. All this she that appeared so comely spoke without Stop or staggering, with so ready Delivery, and so sweet a Voice, as her Discretion admired them no less than her Beauty. And renewing again their Compliments and Intreaties to her, so accomplish speedily her Promise, she setting all Coyness a-part, drawing on her Shoos very modestly, and winding up her Hair, sat her down on a Stone, and the other three about her, where she used no little Violence to smother Tears that strove to break forth without her Permission; and with a reposed and clear Voice, she began the History of her Life in this Manner:

In this Province of Andaluzia there is a certain Town from whence a Duke derives his Denomination, which makes him one of those in Spain who are called Grandees: He hath two Sons, the elder is Heir of his States, and likewise, as may be presumed, of his Virtues; the younger is Heir I know not of what, if it be not of ✱ Vellido his Treacheries, or Galalon' Frauds. My

✱ One that murdered Sancho, King of Castile, as he was easing himself at the Siege of Camora. Rh