Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/24

18 in the Field, to cover these Hairs, which have now so unexpectedly betray'd me: Yet all my Care and Industry was not very beneficial, seeing my Master came at last to the Notice that I was no Man, but a Woman; which was an Occasion that the like evil Thought sprang in him, as before in my Servant. And as Fortune gives not always Remedy for the Difficulties which occur, I found neither Rock nor Downfal to cool and cure my Master's Infirmity, as I had done for my Man; and therefore I accounted it a less Inconvenience to depart thence, and hide my self again among these Desarts, than to adventure the Trial of my Strength or Reason with him: Therefore, as I say, I returned to embosk my self, and search out some Place, where, without any Incumbrance, I might entreat Heaven with my Sighs and Tears to have Compassion on my Mishap, and lend me Industry and Favour, either to issue fortunately out of it, or else to die amidst these Solitudes, not leaving any Memory of a Wretch who hath minister'd Matter, altho' not thro' her own Default, that Men speak and murmur of her, both in her own and in other Countries.

CHAP. II.

Which treats of the discretion of the beautiful Dorotea, and the artificial Manner used to dissuade the amorous Knight from continuing his Penance; and how he was gotten away: With many other delightful and pleasant Occurrences.

HIS is, Sirs, the true Relation of my Tragedy: Sec therefore now and judge, whether the Sighs you heard, the Words to which you listen'd, and the Tears that gush'd out at mine Eyes, have not had sufficient Occasion to appear in greater abundance; and having consider'd the Quality of my Disgrace, you shall per-