In which is related how Don Quixote saved one of the King's ships. Risking Sancho's ass in a gambit to teach a youngster to look about and not take things for granted; he gained something that he most desired and found the words that best described the challenges of knighthood. Challenges which he embraced.
As our famous knight and his loyal page moved along the river road they came upon a strange sight; there at the river's edge sat one of his majesty's ships firmly mired in the mud. Apparently it had, in coming to dock, been swept away by an errant gust of wind which carried it to its place on this spit of sand, mud and other debris. A boat crew was hard at work, a line from the stern of the vessel to their bark had been attached, and they were attempting to draw it off the bank but with little success, and as the event had happened the previous morn at high tide, there was little hope that the change in tides would give relief. The oarsmen put their backs to their work but the ship move but little. So near but yet so far, the dock at Barrameda was less than a hundred ship's-lengths away but could have been in another world as far as the peoples aboard were concerned. That is except for a few who had been permitted to disembark and find some relief from the September sun.
As Don Quixote permitted Rozinante to pause, he saw a small boy sitting under the shade of a cork tree reading a book. The sight of the book was perhaps what drew his attention and his eyes sought the cover, straining to see the title, but his sight weakened by the glare of the sun and his passing years gave not the slightest hint to the volume. "Sancho, it is time to rest our mounts. Go and see if the youngster will share his shade with us for a moment." The reader will recognize that this was just another of the Don's cleaver ways of seeking an answer that was not to be easily revealed, for if they shared the tree, surely he could find the name of the book and its author.
Sancho, long familiar with the ways of his master, knew that they would in fact rest under this very tree and not too soon from his view because he had a worrisome spot where his backside had sat too long on the pack saddle of Amadis. He crawled from the broad back of his ass and after testing his legs to be sure they would still support him, advanced to the shade. Amadis took advantage of the moment to test the grass that grew along the path, while Rozinante stood with his head hanging from his long neck, his muzzle close to the ground, his eyes shut and his ears forward, as this was the most agreeable position and that which required the very least effort.
"My master requires a space under this very tree. Get on with you, be off!"
"Sancho, what possesses you? The tree is ample for us all. You bring disgrace to me wherever you tread. Say your words of thanks to the small one who will be sharing the shade, and come assist me in untangling my leg from the strappings of the saddle that seems to be as a snake, wrapping itself about." And with that the knight began to thrash with his left leg, causing Rozinante to start and stumble toward the river's edge. Had not Amadis been there, Don Quixote would surely have taken an early bath in the cool water. The knight's lance, sword, helmet and assorted goods came clattering down around the stallion, but fortunately, the Don was not among them. He dismounted on the right side, which bothered Rozinante not at all, and stood looking to the tree and still straining to see the book that the boy held. Finally, he approached the tree, leaving the horse, ass and gear for his squire to attend. He spoke to the child, "If it please you, my squire and I shall sit in the cool shade and take our noon-day repast." The well mannered boy who appeared to be no more than two and twelve closed his book and looked to the knight in his dust covered metal armament. He showed no signs of fear, the mark of one of noble birth. "Sit if you will, I shall be here for a long time as our vessel will not leave for time to come. Only a strong wind from the east will drive us from the bar on which we rest, and it is not the season of the year to expect such an event."
The Don looked to the cover of the book and he thought he glimpsed the word Vit... but could see no more as the lad's hand covered the words that were engraved thus. Meanwhile, Sancho had retrieved the bread, cheese, solid meats and wine from his knapsack and spread a generous table before them. This was indeed extraordinary as in times past they had traveled with not so much as a crust between them, but fortune had shined at their last place of rest as the host had not kept a close eye on the pantry so that Sancho was able to take freely that which had been in reserve. "Share with us." said the knight and sought a way to rest his bones without removing his armor. Finally, as it was sure that there was no way that he could sit or lie in comfort, he loosened the straps that held his breastplate and positioned himself against the trunk of the mighty tree. Sancho offered the skin to him first, from which he took a long draught and spit it upon the ground. "Water, I must have water, not wine at this time of day you dolt. Go and fetch some from the river. Now it must be remembered that Sancho had filled all the skins with wine from the larder, reserving none for water, so that he did only that which a good squire could do. He took the skin to the river's edge and there drained the skin into his own mouth before placing it into the river to receive the cool flow. Shortly he returned to his master's side and offered him the water.
Meanwhile, the knight had been questioning the young man on the circumstances that brought him to this place and where the galley was intended to go. He learned that the boy was the son of the governor of one of Castile's districts and was being sent to be schooled in a monastery. He read Latin, Greek, Spanish and French which greatly surprised Don Quixote and it appeared he was learned in the ways of knights and the Crusades. If only the Don could find the name of the book in which the boy was engaged, but how? It would be improper to ask such a question directly. So he turned his attention to the galley.
"I know how the men can remove the ship in short order," said Don Quixote.
"You surely must be wise to sailing and the ways of the ocean, if indeed you know more than my ship's captain. He has been at sea for more years than I am old and yet he finds himself in the firm embrace of terra firma. I think not that you can help."
Now a challenge from one of mature years would have caused the knight to rise up in anger and accept this as a declaration to be answered by a turn to the sword, but from one so young, and one of royal claim of birthright must be dealt with more carefully. Sancho, looked to his master to see how he would respond.
"Let us see if we can bargain for the information and if it is correct, you shall give me something of value, and if I fail, then you shall have my squire's ass." To this Sancho's mouth opened and closed several times but no words would come forth. How is it that if he is wrong, I must lose, he thought.
"What is it that you seek from me?" said the boy. "Your book would be a fair gamble" said the don.
"Agreed, bits of paper for a fat ass seems to be a good bargain, and how can I lose. If you are right, my galley shall be free and I can leave Barrameda. I know the book by heart and while you may possess the pages, I shall have the words. If wrong, I shall have an ass to trade for something of more value."
"Well spoken, child. My knowledge of books is of their contents, not the ink and leather of which they are formed. But that book which you hold has more than passing interest for it may be about the unconquered knight of whom I have heard so much and read so little. Now let me tell you how your boat shall be released from the bar that binds.
Notice that the river is narrow at this place and that along the bank stands many mighty oaks, such as the one under which we sit. All that is necessary is to run a rope from your ship to one of those trees and pull the galley free."
"Sir, you lose your ass. What you propose we have tried and as you see, the ship remains well mired in the river's sands."
"Ah, but what you tried was not correct. It is not how you tie the boat to a tree that is important, but how you affix your line to the boat."
"You are speaking without reason. If we fix the rope to the front or bow of the ship, it will only draw it forward and more firmly onto the bar. From the stern, regardless of which side of the river we attach the rope to trees, makes no difference. The blocks and tackles have not the strength to pull the boat free."
"What you say is true about the inability to draw the boat away when the lines are attached to the stern, but you forget there are other places to which a line may be made firm."
"To the side? Sir that is if I may say so, in my immature years, a suggestion that I might expect from your squire, surely not you!"
Again, Don Quixote reddened noticeably, for this child was beginning to anger him with his logic. "Let us look to the ship and see where there are points to which a line is already secure, child."
"None other exist. I claim your squire's ass."
"Let us redouble our bet." said the Don who now was beginning to show more signs of aggravation. "If I am correct, you agree to take my squire, his ass, my mighty stallion and me to the port city of Cardiz. And if I am wrong, you shall have my steed as well."
"Don Quixote, for I know that is your name, your reputation precedes you. I know that under the most unlikely circumstances you have proven that you can escape death and destruction. But this time you take a chance that locks you in a deal that risk more than you should gamble. I want not your Rozinante whose fame is great. But come share our boat if you win. Tell me of your plan."
The don now was more possessed of his senses and saw that the young man was truly of gentle birth. "Again examine the galley and see how she is rigged. Positions for lines are fore and aft and along the sides for securing the boat at dock, or when engaged in battle. All these lines are in a plane which is just above water's edge. But you have not looked to the Mast."
"I am told by sea captains that nothing shall ever be secured to the mast. To lose the mast renders it incapable of movement, it destroys the ship. And you insist that to the mast, lines should be attached? What foolishness, perhaps I should not have been so generous concerning your famous stallion."
"Child, look to the sky. To the top of the mast, many lines are attached as well as the supporting shrouds. The line that raises the great sail is rigged to the uppermost section of the mast."
"True, but?"
"Here is how one frees a boat from a sand bar.(a) One need only take the line that is intended to raise the great sail, and secure it to the bottom of the mast, then the other end which pulls up that expanse of canvas is taken by boat to a nearby tree and by block and tackle attached to a well rooted tree. When the line is drawn taunt, the point of the mast is pulled to that side and down. As the mast tilts, so tilts the ship until it lays partially on its side. The greater expanse of timbers lifts the boat, frees the keel and the boat floats free."
"Is it possible?"
"Try it and see, you have only a book to lose."
"Hold the book in good faith, I shall return as quickly as is possible."
And, the boy ran to the dock and summonsed a skiff to take him to his ship. As instructed by Don Quixote, the lines were secured and as there was no time to be lost as high tide was approaching, the crew did as told. The ship at first refused to budge as the rounded bottom, gave no little resistance to being turned on its side, but slowly, as the line drew taunt, the ship moved.
It was free! The river's current moved the boat down stream and another danger immediately arose as it appeared the ship would ram the dock stern first, since the only line restraining the boat was attached to the mast. No anchor had been set. Once again it appeared that Don Quixote's curse had struck an unintended victim and the boat and its crew would surely be lost. The boat was at a sharp angle, not unlike when set upon by a strong wind whereby the sails dip the boat to the point of capsizing. Aboard ship, the windless on the anchor was finally released and the anchor soon found the river's bottom. Like an apple in a barrel, the ship dunked and it appeared that it might sink if the mast line held as current carried the ship downstream. A sailor swung a broad axe cutting through the line that held the ship to the tree and the boat swung with the stern just clearing the docks, as the anchor held in the river marl and sand. The boat bobbed upright, moving to and fro and finally coming to rest with its bow to the current of the river.
Aboard ship all was in disorder as contents and crew had shifted with the changing fortunes of the boat, but no major damage was done. The boy, who had been ashore to supervise the placement of the line from tree to mast, gave a salute to Don Quixote who standing at water's edge returned it in kind with a bow. And now Quixote, for the first time addressed the book in his hand that had been the object of this effort.
On the vellum was written El Vitorial(b). Greedily Don Quixote searched to see if it was written by the knight's squire, his standard bearer, Guttierre Diaz Degamez.. It was! What a treasure only a few copies of this book existed and those copies from the original were not always the most complete. Don Pero Nino (of a famous family, not unlike Don Quixote's, but of greater wealth) had served the king as a knight some thirty years in the period of about 1425 -1450. His exploits as a knight were well known. Many rumors of this books existence had come to naught as Quixote and others had futilely visited every market and book stall for a copy. Now he held in his hands the story of knighthood on which he had modeled his personal life.
The boy returned. He appeared to have grown in stature since he was here only moments before. He was thought to have saved the ship and it was to be a secret between the Don and himself that would be shared with no one. "Come, gather up your squire and livestock, we will be underway within the hour. The tide and river's flow will take us to the coast in short order and we will have the advantage of fair winds and skies.
Don Quixote's eyes feasted on the book's contents and heard not what the boy said, but Sancho, now well fed and rested was ready for the next adventure, for surely it would be so. He had never been aboard a craft larger than one that would seat three or four. And this one; horses, cattle, livestock of all kinds for food as well as transportation were below deck. Sancho led his ass and Quixote's stallion while the Don followed along behind, muttering to himself as his lips moved with the reading of each of the blackened pages of his new found treasure. And here is some of what he read.
"Now it is fitting that I should tell what it is to be a knight: whence comes this name knight, what manner of man a knight should be to have a right to be called a knight; and what profit the good knight is to the country he lives. I tell you that men call knight the man who, of custom, rides upon a horse. He who, of custom, rides upon another mount, is no knight; but he who rides upon a horse is not for that reason a knight; he only is rightly called a knight, who makes it his calling. Knights have not been chosen to ride an ass or a mule; they have not been taken from among feeble or timid or cowardly souls, but from among men who are strong and full of energy, bold and without fear; and for this reason there is no other beast that so befits a knight as a good horse. Thus have horses been found that in the thick of battle have shewn themselves as loyal to their masters as if they had been men. There are horses so strong, fiery, swift and faithful, that a brave man, mounted on a good horse, may do more in an hour of fighting than ten or mayhap a hundred could have done afoot. For this reason do men rightly call him knight.
What is required of a good knight? That he should be noble... That the heart should be governed by the virtues... The virtuous knight shall be wary and prudent, just in the doing of justice, continent and temperate, enduring and courageous and withal he must have great faith in God... have charity and the love of his neighbor.
Knights who are at the wars eat their bread in sorrow; their ease is weariness and sweat; they have one good day after many bad; they are vowed to all manner of labour; they are for ever swallowing their fear; they expose themselves to every peril; they give up their bodies to the adventure of life in death. Mouldy bread or biscuit, meat cooked or uncooked; to-day enough to eat and to-morrow nothing, little or no wine, water from a pond or a butt, bad quarters, the shelter of a tent or branches, a bad bed, poor sleep with their armour still on their backs, burdened with iron the enemy an arrow-shot off. Ware! Who goes there? To arms! To arms!' With the first drowsiness, an alarm; at dawn, the trumpet, To horse! To horse! Muster! Muster!' As look-outs, as sentinels, keeping watch by day and by night, fighting without cover, as foragers, as scouts, guard after guard, duty after duty. Here they come! Here! They are so many -- No, not as many as that -- This way -- that -- Come this side -- Press them there -- News! News! They come back hurt, they have prisoners - no, they bring none back. Let us go! Let us go! Give no ground! On!' Such is their calling; a life of great fatigues, bereft of all ease. But there is no equal to the ill of those who make war upon the seas; in a whole day should I not end my telling of their miseries and their labours. Great is the honour which knights deserve, and great the favour which kings should shew them, for all the reasons which I have told."
Tis true Don Quixote thought. A knight's life is not an easy one, but that is no reason not to serve the King and one's own Conscious.
***
(a) This method of freeing boats is described in James Michener's Chesapeake. A sailboat was freed by an oyster dredging sailing vessel.
(b) An English translation is entitled, The Unconquered Knight by his standard-bearer Gutierre Diaz de Gamez, Translation and selected from El Vitorial by Joan Evens, Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York, 1928. pp. 10-13. As Don Quixote read beyond the first few pages he discovered why "chivalry is dead". The warring of knights in the name of God and the King was nothing more than a license to loot, rape and destroy. As Don Pero Nino's exploits are revealed by the writer, there is little justification for embracing knighthood as a manly act. So it was the Cervantes used his famous knight to at last bring the supposedly-honorable vestiges of knightly being into question.
Barbara W. Tuchman in her book, A Distant Mirror, repeats this passage from The Unconquered Knight as she tells the story of the great plague which swept Europe in 1348. She uses the personages of the de Coucy dynasty to encapsulate the events that preceded the plague and which followed . A Distant Mirror, BWT, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.1978.
****
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As our famous knight and his loyal page moved along the river road they came upon a strange sight; there at the river's edge sat one of his majesty's ships firmly mired in the mud. Apparently it had, in coming to dock, been swept away by an errant gust of wind which carried it to its place on this spit of sand, mud and other debris. A boat crew was hard at work, a line from the stern of the vessel to their bark had been attached, and they were attempting to draw it off the bank but with little success, and as the event had happened the previous morn at high tide, there was little hope that the change in tides would give relief. The oarsmen put their backs to their work but the ship move but little. So near but yet so far, the dock at Barrameda was less than a hundred ship's-lengths away but could have been in another world as far as the peoples aboard were concerned. That is except for a few who had been permitted to disembark and find some relief from the September sun.
As Don Quixote permitted Rozinante to pause, he saw a small boy sitting under the shade of a cork tree reading a book. The sight of the book was perhaps what drew his attention and his eyes sought the cover, straining to see the title, but his sight weakened by the glare of the sun and his passing years gave not the slightest hint to the volume. "Sancho, it is time to rest our mounts. Go and see if the youngster will share his shade with us for a moment." The reader will recognize that this was just another of the Don's cleaver ways of seeking an answer that was not to be easily revealed, for if they shared the tree, surely he could find the name of the book and its author.
Sancho, long familiar with the ways of his master, knew that they would in fact rest under this very tree and not too soon from his view because he had a worrisome spot where his backside had sat too long on the pack saddle of Amadis. He crawled from the broad back of his ass and after testing his legs to be sure they would still support him, advanced to the shade. Amadis took advantage of the moment to test the grass that grew along the path, while Rozinante stood with his head hanging from his long neck, his muzzle close to the ground, his eyes shut and his ears forward, as this was the most agreeable position and that which required the very least effort.
"My master requires a space under this very tree. Get on with you, be off!"
"Sancho, what possesses you? The tree is ample for us all. You bring disgrace to me wherever you tread. Say your words of thanks to the small one who will be sharing the shade, and come assist me in untangling my leg from the strappings of the saddle that seems to be as a snake, wrapping itself about." And with that the knight began to thrash with his left leg, causing Rozinante to start and stumble toward the river's edge. Had not Amadis been there, Don Quixote would surely have taken an early bath in the cool water. The knight's lance, sword, helmet and assorted goods came clattering down around the stallion, but fortunately, the Don was not among them. He dismounted on the right side, which bothered Rozinante not at all, and stood looking to the tree and still straining to see the book that the boy held. Finally, he approached the tree, leaving the horse, ass and gear for his squire to attend. He spoke to the child, "If it please you, my squire and I shall sit in the cool shade and take our noon-day repast." The well mannered boy who appeared to be no more than two and twelve closed his book and looked to the knight in his dust covered metal armament. He showed no signs of fear, the mark of one of noble birth. "Sit if you will, I shall be here for a long time as our vessel will not leave for time to come. Only a strong wind from the east will drive us from the bar on which we rest, and it is not the season of the year to expect such an event."
The Don looked to the cover of the book and he thought he glimpsed the word Vit... but could see no more as the lad's hand covered the words that were engraved thus. Meanwhile, Sancho had retrieved the bread, cheese, solid meats and wine from his knapsack and spread a generous table before them. This was indeed extraordinary as in times past they had traveled with not so much as a crust between them, but fortune had shined at their last place of rest as the host had not kept a close eye on the pantry so that Sancho was able to take freely that which had been in reserve. "Share with us." said the knight and sought a way to rest his bones without removing his armor. Finally, as it was sure that there was no way that he could sit or lie in comfort, he loosened the straps that held his breastplate and positioned himself against the trunk of the mighty tree. Sancho offered the skin to him first, from which he took a long draught and spit it upon the ground. "Water, I must have water, not wine at this time of day you dolt. Go and fetch some from the river. Now it must be remembered that Sancho had filled all the skins with wine from the larder, reserving none for water, so that he did only that which a good squire could do. He took the skin to the river's edge and there drained the skin into his own mouth before placing it into the river to receive the cool flow. Shortly he returned to his master's side and offered him the water.
Meanwhile, the knight had been questioning the young man on the circumstances that brought him to this place and where the galley was intended to go. He learned that the boy was the son of the governor of one of Castile's districts and was being sent to be schooled in a monastery. He read Latin, Greek, Spanish and French which greatly surprised Don Quixote and it appeared he was learned in the ways of knights and the Crusades. If only the Don could find the name of the book in which the boy was engaged, but how? It would be improper to ask such a question directly. So he turned his attention to the galley.
"I know how the men can remove the ship in short order," said Don Quixote.
"You surely must be wise to sailing and the ways of the ocean, if indeed you know more than my ship's captain. He has been at sea for more years than I am old and yet he finds himself in the firm embrace of terra firma. I think not that you can help."
Now a challenge from one of mature years would have caused the knight to rise up in anger and accept this as a declaration to be answered by a turn to the sword, but from one so young, and one of royal claim of birthright must be dealt with more carefully. Sancho, looked to his master to see how he would respond.
"Let us see if we can bargain for the information and if it is correct, you shall give me something of value, and if I fail, then you shall have my squire's ass." To this Sancho's mouth opened and closed several times but no words would come forth. How is it that if he is wrong, I must lose, he thought.
"What is it that you seek from me?" said the boy. "Your book would be a fair gamble" said the don.
"Agreed, bits of paper for a fat ass seems to be a good bargain, and how can I lose. If you are right, my galley shall be free and I can leave Barrameda. I know the book by heart and while you may possess the pages, I shall have the words. If wrong, I shall have an ass to trade for something of more value."
"Well spoken, child. My knowledge of books is of their contents, not the ink and leather of which they are formed. But that book which you hold has more than passing interest for it may be about the unconquered knight of whom I have heard so much and read so little. Now let me tell you how your boat shall be released from the bar that binds.
Notice that the river is narrow at this place and that along the bank stands many mighty oaks, such as the one under which we sit. All that is necessary is to run a rope from your ship to one of those trees and pull the galley free."
"Sir, you lose your ass. What you propose we have tried and as you see, the ship remains well mired in the river's sands."
"Ah, but what you tried was not correct. It is not how you tie the boat to a tree that is important, but how you affix your line to the boat."
"You are speaking without reason. If we fix the rope to the front or bow of the ship, it will only draw it forward and more firmly onto the bar. From the stern, regardless of which side of the river we attach the rope to trees, makes no difference. The blocks and tackles have not the strength to pull the boat free."
"What you say is true about the inability to draw the boat away when the lines are attached to the stern, but you forget there are other places to which a line may be made firm."
"To the side? Sir that is if I may say so, in my immature years, a suggestion that I might expect from your squire, surely not you!"
Again, Don Quixote reddened noticeably, for this child was beginning to anger him with his logic. "Let us look to the ship and see where there are points to which a line is already secure, child."
"None other exist. I claim your squire's ass."
"Let us redouble our bet." said the Don who now was beginning to show more signs of aggravation. "If I am correct, you agree to take my squire, his ass, my mighty stallion and me to the port city of Cardiz. And if I am wrong, you shall have my steed as well."
"Don Quixote, for I know that is your name, your reputation precedes you. I know that under the most unlikely circumstances you have proven that you can escape death and destruction. But this time you take a chance that locks you in a deal that risk more than you should gamble. I want not your Rozinante whose fame is great. But come share our boat if you win. Tell me of your plan."
The don now was more possessed of his senses and saw that the young man was truly of gentle birth. "Again examine the galley and see how she is rigged. Positions for lines are fore and aft and along the sides for securing the boat at dock, or when engaged in battle. All these lines are in a plane which is just above water's edge. But you have not looked to the Mast."
"I am told by sea captains that nothing shall ever be secured to the mast. To lose the mast renders it incapable of movement, it destroys the ship. And you insist that to the mast, lines should be attached? What foolishness, perhaps I should not have been so generous concerning your famous stallion."
"Child, look to the sky. To the top of the mast, many lines are attached as well as the supporting shrouds. The line that raises the great sail is rigged to the uppermost section of the mast."
"True, but?"
"Here is how one frees a boat from a sand bar.(a) One need only take the line that is intended to raise the great sail, and secure it to the bottom of the mast, then the other end which pulls up that expanse of canvas is taken by boat to a nearby tree and by block and tackle attached to a well rooted tree. When the line is drawn taunt, the point of the mast is pulled to that side and down. As the mast tilts, so tilts the ship until it lays partially on its side. The greater expanse of timbers lifts the boat, frees the keel and the boat floats free."
"Is it possible?"
"Try it and see, you have only a book to lose."
"Hold the book in good faith, I shall return as quickly as is possible."
And, the boy ran to the dock and summonsed a skiff to take him to his ship. As instructed by Don Quixote, the lines were secured and as there was no time to be lost as high tide was approaching, the crew did as told. The ship at first refused to budge as the rounded bottom, gave no little resistance to being turned on its side, but slowly, as the line drew taunt, the ship moved.
It was free! The river's current moved the boat down stream and another danger immediately arose as it appeared the ship would ram the dock stern first, since the only line restraining the boat was attached to the mast. No anchor had been set. Once again it appeared that Don Quixote's curse had struck an unintended victim and the boat and its crew would surely be lost. The boat was at a sharp angle, not unlike when set upon by a strong wind whereby the sails dip the boat to the point of capsizing. Aboard ship, the windless on the anchor was finally released and the anchor soon found the river's bottom. Like an apple in a barrel, the ship dunked and it appeared that it might sink if the mast line held as current carried the ship downstream. A sailor swung a broad axe cutting through the line that held the ship to the tree and the boat swung with the stern just clearing the docks, as the anchor held in the river marl and sand. The boat bobbed upright, moving to and fro and finally coming to rest with its bow to the current of the river.
Aboard ship all was in disorder as contents and crew had shifted with the changing fortunes of the boat, but no major damage was done. The boy, who had been ashore to supervise the placement of the line from tree to mast, gave a salute to Don Quixote who standing at water's edge returned it in kind with a bow. And now Quixote, for the first time addressed the book in his hand that had been the object of this effort.
On the vellum was written El Vitorial(b). Greedily Don Quixote searched to see if it was written by the knight's squire, his standard bearer, Guttierre Diaz Degamez.. It was! What a treasure only a few copies of this book existed and those copies from the original were not always the most complete. Don Pero Nino (of a famous family, not unlike Don Quixote's, but of greater wealth) had served the king as a knight some thirty years in the period of about 1425 -1450. His exploits as a knight were well known. Many rumors of this books existence had come to naught as Quixote and others had futilely visited every market and book stall for a copy. Now he held in his hands the story of knighthood on which he had modeled his personal life.
The boy returned. He appeared to have grown in stature since he was here only moments before. He was thought to have saved the ship and it was to be a secret between the Don and himself that would be shared with no one. "Come, gather up your squire and livestock, we will be underway within the hour. The tide and river's flow will take us to the coast in short order and we will have the advantage of fair winds and skies.
Don Quixote's eyes feasted on the book's contents and heard not what the boy said, but Sancho, now well fed and rested was ready for the next adventure, for surely it would be so. He had never been aboard a craft larger than one that would seat three or four. And this one; horses, cattle, livestock of all kinds for food as well as transportation were below deck. Sancho led his ass and Quixote's stallion while the Don followed along behind, muttering to himself as his lips moved with the reading of each of the blackened pages of his new found treasure. And here is some of what he read.
"Now it is fitting that I should tell what it is to be a knight: whence comes this name knight, what manner of man a knight should be to have a right to be called a knight; and what profit the good knight is to the country he lives. I tell you that men call knight the man who, of custom, rides upon a horse. He who, of custom, rides upon another mount, is no knight; but he who rides upon a horse is not for that reason a knight; he only is rightly called a knight, who makes it his calling. Knights have not been chosen to ride an ass or a mule; they have not been taken from among feeble or timid or cowardly souls, but from among men who are strong and full of energy, bold and without fear; and for this reason there is no other beast that so befits a knight as a good horse. Thus have horses been found that in the thick of battle have shewn themselves as loyal to their masters as if they had been men. There are horses so strong, fiery, swift and faithful, that a brave man, mounted on a good horse, may do more in an hour of fighting than ten or mayhap a hundred could have done afoot. For this reason do men rightly call him knight.
What is required of a good knight? That he should be noble... That the heart should be governed by the virtues... The virtuous knight shall be wary and prudent, just in the doing of justice, continent and temperate, enduring and courageous and withal he must have great faith in God... have charity and the love of his neighbor.
Knights who are at the wars eat their bread in sorrow; their ease is weariness and sweat; they have one good day after many bad; they are vowed to all manner of labour; they are for ever swallowing their fear; they expose themselves to every peril; they give up their bodies to the adventure of life in death. Mouldy bread or biscuit, meat cooked or uncooked; to-day enough to eat and to-morrow nothing, little or no wine, water from a pond or a butt, bad quarters, the shelter of a tent or branches, a bad bed, poor sleep with their armour still on their backs, burdened with iron the enemy an arrow-shot off. Ware! Who goes there? To arms! To arms!' With the first drowsiness, an alarm; at dawn, the trumpet, To horse! To horse! Muster! Muster!' As look-outs, as sentinels, keeping watch by day and by night, fighting without cover, as foragers, as scouts, guard after guard, duty after duty. Here they come! Here! They are so many -- No, not as many as that -- This way -- that -- Come this side -- Press them there -- News! News! They come back hurt, they have prisoners - no, they bring none back. Let us go! Let us go! Give no ground! On!' Such is their calling; a life of great fatigues, bereft of all ease. But there is no equal to the ill of those who make war upon the seas; in a whole day should I not end my telling of their miseries and their labours. Great is the honour which knights deserve, and great the favour which kings should shew them, for all the reasons which I have told."
Tis true Don Quixote thought. A knight's life is not an easy one, but that is no reason not to serve the King and one's own Conscious.
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(a) This method of freeing boats is described in James Michener's Chesapeake. A sailboat was freed by an oyster dredging sailing vessel.
(b) An English translation is entitled, The Unconquered Knight by his standard-bearer Gutierre Diaz de Gamez, Translation and selected from El Vitorial by Joan Evens, Harcourt, Brace and Company, New York, 1928. pp. 10-13.As Don Quixote read beyond the first few pages he discovered why "chivalry is dead". The warring of knights in the name of God and the King was nothing more than a license to loot, rape and destroy. As Don Pero Nino's exploits are revealed by the writer, there is little justification for embracing knighthood as a manly act. So it was the Cervantes used his famous knight to at last bring the supposedly-honorable vestiges of knightly being into question.
Barbara W. Tuchman in her book, A Distant Mirror, repeats this passage from The Unconquered Knight as she tells the story of the great plague which swept Europe in 1348. She uses the personages of the de Coucy dynasty to encapsulate the events that preceded the plague and which followed . A Distant Mirror, BWT, Alfred A. Knopf, Inc.1978.
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