(原版)澳大利亞語文第六冊 LESSON 14

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LESSON 14 DON QUIXOTE AND THE WINDMILLS

DON QUIXOTE AND THE WINDMILLS

Don [1] Quixote was a tall, lean, solemn looking country gentleman of about fifty years of age, trusted by his friends and loved by his servants. He had spent all he possessed in buying books about knights and the wonderful deeds they had done. These stories he thought true, and he made up his mind to become a knight himself, and to go out into the world to defend the weak, to right the wronged, and to punish the wrong-doer.

The Don put on a suit of old armour, and got an old sword and a lance. Then he rode away from his house on the back of a lean old horse to seek for adventures and win fame.

As the knights of old were always attended by squires, Don Quixote got a short, stout, good-natured farm labourer, called Sancho Panza, to be his squire, by promising to make him the governor of an island and a rich man. Sancho was delighted; and, mounted on his ass, followed Don Quixote.

As they rode away Sancho said, "I hope your worship will not forget about the island you have promised me. No matter how big it is, I shall be quite fit to govern it."

It has always been the custom of knights, said Don Quixote, "to make their squires governors, and I shall keep my word. Perhaps I may even make you a king, because knights have won kingdoms."

In that case, Sancho said, "my wife would become a queen."

I do not doubt it, replied Don Quixote.

Well, then, I doubt it, answered Sancho. "My wife is a very ordinary woman, and no crown would fit her head. She might do for a countess; but never for a queen."

We shall see about the matter later, said Don Quixote; "but, my friend, do not be too humble. You must not be content with anything less than being the governor of an island."

Very well, sir, Sancho said. "I will take any post you think I am fit for."

They rode merrily on their way; and at length Don Quixote saw a plain in which there were a number of wind-mills. He sat up and said to his squire, "Fortune has favoured us! Look, friend Sancho, look! and see there, before us yonder, a number of big evil giants. I shall wage war against them;and the riches I shall gain will make our fortunes. I must sweep these wicked monsters off the face of the earth."

Where are the giants? asked Sancho Panza, with surprise in his eyes.

Don Quixote pointed with his lance towards the windmills.

There they are, he said, "with their long arms."

Master, master! cried Sancho, "these are not giants but windmills, and what seem to be their arms are only the sails which the wind causes to go round."

THE SHOCK CAUSED DON QUIXOTE AND HIS HORSE TO FALL

It is easy to see, Don Quixote replied, "that you are not used to adventures. These are really giants. If you are afraid, go away and say your prayers, while I wage a fierce war against the monsters."

The knight then spurred his horse; and although Sancho shouted after him, hastened to the attack. As he rode he cried out, "Do not run away, you giant cowards, for only a single knight is attacking you."

A faint breeze had sprung up, and the sails of the windmills began to move.

You may flourish your arms, exclaimed the Don; "but you will never scare me, for I have no fear."

He spurred his horse and charged the nearest mill at full gallop; but as he thrust at the sail which the wind was whirling round, his lance was caught and broken to pieces. The shock caused Don Quixote and his horse to fall; and the poor old gentleman was badly bruised.

Sancho Panza hurried to the assistance of his master, who lay for a time unable to move a limb.

Alas! your worship, Sancho said, "did I not warn you that these were not giants but only windmills? No one could make such a mistake unless something had gone wrong in his head."

Hush, Sancho, my friend, answered the Don; "the fortunes of war are always changing. I am certain that some magician has just turned those giants into windmills so as to rob me of the glory of conquering them. But his wicked arts will not always prevail [2] , and I shall win fame with my good sword."

I hope you may, said Sancho, as he helped his master again on to his horse. "I believe all your worship says. Try and straighten yourself up now, for you seem to be leaning all to one side; but perhaps that is because you have been badly shaken by your fall."

You speak truly, answered Don Quixote; "but no knight ever complains about the wounds he receives."

That is wonderful, Sancho said. "For my part I must confess that I always howl when I am hurt; but perhaps the same rule does not apply to squires as to knights."

Don Quixote laughed, and told Sancho he might complain whenever he was hurt, and he would not think the less of him on that account.

Then they rode away together again.

Adapted from the Spanish of Cervantes

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[1] Don: A Spanish nobleman.

[2] prevail: Win, succeed.