The History of Don Quixote Vol 1 Part 44

BURLADOR, ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA, ON SANCHO PANZA

SONNET

The worthy Sancho Panza here you see; A great soul once was in that body small, Nor was there squire upon this earthly ball So plain and simple, or of guile so free.

Within an ace of being Count was he, And would have been but for the spite and gall Of this vile age, mean and illiberal, That cannot even let a donkey be.

For mounted on an a.s.s (excuse the word), By Rocinante's side this gentle squire Was wont his wandering master to attend.

Delusive hopes that lure the common herd With promises of ease, the heart's desire, In shadows, dreams, and smoke ye always end.

CACHIDIABLO, ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA, ON THE TOMB OF DON QUIXOTE EPITAPH

The knight lies here below, Ill-errant and bruised sore, Whom Rocinante bore In his wanderings to and fro.

By the side of the knight is laid Stolid man Sancho too, Than whom a squire more true Was not in the esquire trade.

TIQUITOC, ACADEMICIAN OF ARGAMASILLA, ON THE TOMB OF DULCINEA DEL TOBOSO

EPITAPH Here Dulcinea lies.

Plump was she and robust: Now she is ashes and dust: The end of all flesh that dies.

A lady of high degree, With the port of a lofty dame, And the great Don Quixote's flame, And the pride of her village was she.

These were all the verses that could be deciphered; the rest, the writing being worm-eaten, were handed over to one of the Academicians to make out their meaning conjecturally. We have been informed that at the cost of many sleepless nights and much toil he has succeeded, and that he means to publish them in hopes of Don Quixote's third sally.

"Forse altro cantera con miglior plectro."