Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha.djvu/44

4 Enchantments, Quarrels, BattelsBattles [sic], Challenges, Wounds, Wooings, Loves, Tempests, and other impossible Follies. And these Toys did so firmly possess his Imagination with an infallible Opinion, that all that Machina of dreamed Inventions which he read was true, as he accounted no History in the World to be so certain and sincere as they were. He was wontwant [sic] to say, that the ‡ Cid Ruydiaz was a very good Knight, but not to be compared to the Knight of the burning Sword, which with one thwart Blow cut asunder two fierce and mighty Giants. He agreed better with Bernardo del Carpio, because he flew the enchanted Rowland in RencesualesRencesvalles [sic]. He likewise liked of the shift Hercules used when he smoother'd Anteon, the Son of the Earth, between his Arms. He praised the Giant Morgant marvellously, because, tho' he was of that monstrous Progeny, who are commonly all of them proud and rude, yet he only was affable and courteous. But he agreed best of all with Reinauld of Mount Alban and most of all then, when he saw him sally out of his Castle to rob as many as ever he could meet: And when moreover he robb'd the Idol of Mahomet, made all of Gold, as his History recounts: and would be content to give his old Woman, yea, and his Niece also, for a good Opportunity on the Traytor Galalon, that he might lambskin and trample him into Powder.

Finally, his Wit being wholly extinguish'd, he fell into one of the strangest Conceits that ever Mad-man stumbled on in this World; to wit, it seem'd unto him very requisite and behovefulbehooveful [sic], as well for the Augmentation of his Honours, as also for the Benefit of the Commonwealth, that he himself should become a Knight-Errant, and go throughout the World with his Horse and Armour to seek Adventures, and practice in Person all that he had read was used by Knights of yore; revenging of all kinds of Injuries, and offering himself to

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