Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha.djvu/105

Book II. Miscreant, or some Clown with a Hatchet and long Hair, or some monstrous Giant did force them, Damsels there were in times past, that at the end of Fourscore Years old, all which time they never slept one Day under a Roof, went as entire and pure Maidens to their Graves as the very Mother that bore them. Therefore, I say that as well for this, as for many other good Respects, our gallant Don Quixote is worthy of continual and memorable Praises: Nor can the like be justly deny'd, to my self, for the Labour and Diligence which I used, to find out the End of this grateful History; altho' I know very well that if Heaven, Chance, and Fortune, had not assisted me, the World had been depriv'd of the Delight and Pastime they may take for almost two Hours together, who shall with Attention read it. The Manner therefore of finding it was this: Being one Day walking on the Exchange of Toleds, a certain Boy by chance would have sold diversdiverse [sic] old Quires and Scrolls of Books to a Squire that walk'd up and down in that Place; and I being addicted to read such Scrolls, tho' I found them torn in the Streets, born away by this my natural Inclination, took one of the Quires in my Hand, and perciev'd it to be written in Arabick Characters, and feeling that altho' I knew the Letters, yet could not read the Substance, I look'd about to view, whether I could perceive thereabouts any Moor turn'd Spaniard, that could read them; nor was it very difficult to find there such an Interpreter: for if I had search'd one of another better and more ancient ‡ Language, that Place would easily have afforded him. In fine, my good Fortune presented one to me, to whom, telling my Desire, and giving him the Book in his Hand, he open'd it, and having read a little therein, began to laugh. I demanded of him, why he laugh'd; and he answer'd, At that marginal Note which the Book had. I bid him to expound it to me, and with that took

‡ To wit, a Jew.