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a mask with which he concealed his beard and face very well。 He then
put on his hat； which was broad enough to serve him for an umbrella；
and enveloping himself in his cloak seated himself woman…fashion on
his mule； while the barber mounted his with a beard down to the
waist of mingled red and white； for it was； as has been said； the tail
of a clay…red ox。
They took leave of all； and of the good Maritornes； who； sinner as
she was； promised to pray a rosary of prayers that God might grant
them success in such an arduous and Christian undertaking as that they
had in hand。 But hardly had he sallied forth from the inn when it
struck the curate that he was doing wrong in rigging himself out in
that fashion； as it was an indecorous thing for a priest to dress
himself that way even though much might depend upon it； and saying
so to the barber he begged him to change dresses； as it was fitter
he should be the distressed damsel； while he himself would play the
squire's part； which would be less derogatory to his dignity；
otherwise he was resolved to have nothing more to do with the
matter； and let the devil take Don Quixote。 Just at this moment Sancho
came up； and on seeing the pair in such a costume he was unable to
restrain his laughter； the barber； however； agreed to do as the curate
wished； and； altering their plan； the curate went on to instruct him
how to play his part and what to say to Don Quixote to induce and
compel him to come with them and give up his fancy for the place he
had chosen for his idle penance。 The barber told him he could manage
it properly without any instruction； and as he did not care to dress
himself up until they were near where Don Quixote was； he folded up
the garments； and the curate adjusted his beard； and they set out
under the guidance of Sancho Panza； who went along telling them of the
encounter with the madman they met in the Sierra； saying nothing；
however； about the finding of the valise and its contents； for with
all his simplicity the lad was a trifle covetous。
The next day they reached the place where Sancho had laid the
broom…branches as marks to direct him to where he had left his master；
and recognising it he told them that here was the entrance； and that
they would do well to dress themselves； if that was required to
deliver his master； for they had already told him that going in this
guise and dressing in this way were of the highest importance in order
to rescue his master from the pernicious life he had adopted； and they
charged him strictly not to tell his master who they were； or that
he knew them； and should he ask； as ask he would； if he had given
the letter to Dulcinea； to say that he had； and that； as she did not
know how to read； she had given an answer by word of mouth； saying
that she commanded him； on pain of her displeasure； to come and see
her at once； and it was a very important matter for himself； because
in this way and with what they meant to say to him they felt sure of
bringing him back to a better mode of life and inducing him to take
immediate steps to become an emperor or monarch； for there was no fear
of his becoming an archbishop。 All this Sancho listened to and fixed
it well in his memory； and thanked them heartily for intending to
recommend his master to be an emperor instead of an archbishop； for he
felt sure that in the way of bestowing rewards on their squires
emperors could do more than archbishops…errant。 He said； too； that
it would be as well for him to go on before them to find him； and give
him his lady's answer； for that perhaps might be enough to bring him
away from the place without putting them to all this trouble。 They
approved of what Sancho proposed； and resolved to wait for him until
he brought back word of having found his master。
Sancho pushed on into the glens of the Sierra； leaving them in one
through which there flowed a little gentle rivulet； and where the
rocks and trees afforded a cool and grateful shade。 It was an August
day with all the heat of one； and the heat in those parts is
intense； and the hour was three in the afternoon； all which made the
spot the more inviting and tempted them to wait there for Sancho's
return； which they did。 They were reposing； then； in the shade； when a
voice unaccompanied by the notes of any instrument； but sweet and
pleasing in its tone； reached their ears； at which they were not a
little astonished； as the place did not seem to them likely quarters
for one who sang so well； for though it is often said that shepherds
of rare voice are to be found in the woods and fields； this is
rather a flight of the poet's fancy than the truth。 And still more
surprised were they when they perceived that what they heard sung were
the verses not of rustic shepherds； but of the polished wits of the
city； and so it proved； for the verses they heard were these：
What makes my quest of happiness seem vain？
Disdain。
What bids me to abandon hope of ease？
Jealousies。
What holds my heart in anguish of suspense？
Absence。
If that be so； then for my grief
Where shall I turn to seek relief；
When hope on every side lies slain
By Absence； Jealousies； Disdain？
What the prime cause of all my woe doth prove？
Love。
What at my glory ever looks askance？
Chance。
Whence is permission to afflict me given？
Heaven。
If that be so； I but await
The stroke of a resistless fate；
Since； working for my woe； these three；
Love； Chance and Heaven； in league I see。
What must I do to find a remedy？
Die。
What is the lure for love when coy and strange？
Change。
What； if all fail； will cure the heart of sadness？
Madness。
If that be so； it is but folly
To seek a cure for melancholy：
Ask where it lies； the answer saith
In Change； in Madness； or in Death。
The hour； the summer season； the solitary place； the voice and skill
of the singer； all contributed to the wonder and delight of the two
listeners； who remained still waiting to hear something more； finding；
however； that the silence continued some little time； they resolved to
go in search of the musician who sang with so fine a voice； but just
as they were about to do so they were checked by the same voice； which
once more fell upon their ears； singing this
SONNET
When heavenward； holy Friendship； thou didst go
Soaring to seek thy home beyond the sky；
And take thy seat among the saints on high；
It was thy will to leave on earth below
Thy semblance； and upon it to bestow
Thy veil； wherewith at times hypocrisy；
Parading in thy shape； deceives the eye；
And makes its vileness bright as virtue show。
Friendship； return to us； or force the cheat
That wears it now； thy livery to restore；
By aid whereof sincerity is slain。
If thou wilt not unmask thy counterfeit；
This earth will be the prey of strife once more；
As when primaeval discord held its reign。
The song ended with a deep sigh； and again the listeners remained
waiting attentively for the singer to resume； but perceiving that
the music had now turned to sobs and heart…rending moans they
determined to find out who the unhappy being could be whose voice
was as rare as his sighs were piteous； and they had not proceeded
far when on turning the corner of a rock they discovered a man of
the same aspect and appearance as Sancho had described to them when he
told them the story of Cardenio。 He； showing no astonishment when he
saw them； stood still with his head bent down upon his breast like one
in deep thought； without raising his eyes to look at them after the
first glance when they suddenly came upon him。 The curate； who was
aware of his misfortune and recognised him by the description； being a
man of good address； approached him and in a few sensible words
entreated and urged him to quit a life of such misery； lest he
should end it there； which would be the greatest of all misfortunes。
Cardenio was then in his right mind； free from any attack of that
madness which so frequently carried him away； and seeing them
dressed in a fashion so unusual among the frequenters of those
wilds； could not help showing some surprise； especially when he
heard them speak of his case as if it were a well…known matter （for
the curate's words gave him to understand as much） so he replied to
them thus：
〃I see plainly； sirs； whoever you may be； that Heaven； whose care it
is to succour the good； and even the wicked very often； here； in
this remote spot； cut off from human intercourse； sends me； though I
deserve it not； those who seek to draw me away from this to some
better retreat； showing me by many and forcible arguments how
unreasonably I act in leading the life I do； but as they know； that if
I escape from this evil I shall fall into another still greater；
perhaps they will set me down as a weak…minded man； or； what is worse；
one