Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha.djvu/107

Book II. written under his Feet that said, Don Sancho de AxpetirAzpeitia [sic], for so belike he was call'd; and at Roxinante's Feet there was another that said, Don Quixote. Rozinante was marvellous well pourtray'd, so long and lank, so thin and lean, so like one labouring with an incurable Consumption, as he did shew very clearly with what Consideration and Propriety he had given unto him the Name Rozinante. By him stood Sancho Pancha holding his Ass by the Halter; at whole Feet was another, Scroll, saying, Sancho Cancas; And, I think, the rezsonreason [sic] thereof was, that, as his Picture shew'd he had a great Belly, a short Stature, and thick Legs; and therefore I judge he was called Pancha or Canca for both these Names are written of him indifferently in the History.

There were other little Things in it worthy the noting, but all of 'em arc of no great Importance, nor any thing necessary for the true Relation of the History, for none is ill if it be true: And if any objection be made against the Truth of this, it can be none other than that the Author was a Moor, and 'tis a known Propriety of that Nation to be lying; yet in respect that they hate us so mortally, 'tis to be conjectur'd, that in this History there is rather Want and Concealment of our Knight's worthy Acts, than any Superfluity which I imagine the rather, because I find in the Progress thereof many times, that when he might and ought to have advanc'd his Pen in our Knight's Praises, he does (as 'twere on purpose) pass 'em over in Silence. Which was very ill done, seeing that Historiographers ought and should be very precise, true, and unpassionate, and that neither Profit or Fear, Rancour or Affection should make them to tread awry from the Truth, whose Mother is History, the Emulatress of Time, the Treasury of Actions, the Witness of Things past, and Advertiser of Things to come. In this History, I know, a Man may find all that he can desire in the most pleasing manner; and if they, want any Thing to be desir'd, I am of opinion that it is thro' the fault of that ungracious Knave that lated