Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume two.djvu/9

Book IV. themselves behind some broken Clifts that were near the Place: Which they did all of them, noting what the Youth did with very great Attention. He wore a little brown Capouch, girt very near to his Body with a white Towel; also a Pair of Breeches and Gamashoes of the same coloured Cloth, and on his Head a Clay-coloured Cap. His Gamashoes were lifted up half the leg, which verily seemed to be white Alabaster. Finally, having washed his Feet, taking out a LinnenLinen [sic] Kerchief from under his Cap, he dried them therewithal; and at the taking out of the Kerchief he held up his Face, and then those which flood gazing on him had Leisure to discern an unmatchable Beauty, so surpassing great, as Cardenio rounding the Curate in the Ear, said This Body, since it is not Luscinda can be no human Creature, but a divine. The Youth took off his Cap at last, and shaking his Head to one and other Part, did dishevel and discover such beautiful Hairs, as those of Phoebus might justly emulate them; and thereby they knew the supposed Swain to be a delicate Woman, yea, and the fairest that ever the first two had seen in their Lives or Cardenio himself, the lovely Luscinda excepted; for, as he after affirmed, no Feature, save Luscinda's could contend with hers. The long and golden Hairs did not only cover her Shoulders, but did also hide her round about in such sort, as (her Feet excepted) no other Part of her Body appeared, they were so near and long. At this Time her Hands served for a Comb, which as her Feet, seemed Pieces of Chrystal in the Water, so did they appear among her Hairs like Pieces of driven Snow. All which Circumstances did possess the three which flood gazing: at her with great Admiration and Desire to know what she was; and therefore resolved to shew themselves: And with the Noise which they made when they arose, the beautiful Maiden held up her Head, and removing her Hairs from before her Eyes with both Hands, she espied those that had made it and presently arising full of Fear and Trouble, she laid Hand on a Pacquet that was by her, which seemed to be of Apparel, and thought to fly away, without staying Rh