Page:The History of the Valorous and Wity Knight-Errant, Don-Quixote of the Mancha. Volume three.djvu/35

health, and hastens death.' Another madman in a cage over-against heard all the bachelor's discourse, and raising himself upon an old mattress, upon which he lay stark naked, asked aloud who it was that was going away sound and in his wits. The bachelor replied, "It is I, brother, that am going, for I have no need to stay here any longer; for which I render infinite thanks to God, that hath done me so great a favour.' 'Take heed what you say, bachelor,' replied the madman; 'let not the devil deceive you; keep still your foot, and be quiet here at home, and so you may save a bringing back.' 'I know,' quoth the bachelor, 'I am well, and shall need to walk no more stations hither.' 'You are well,' said the madman: 'the event will try. God be with you; but I swear to thee by Jupiter, whose majesty I represent on earth, that for this day's offence I will eat up all Seville for delivering thee from hence, and saying thou art in thy wits; I will take such a punishment on this city as shall be remembered for ever and ever. Amen. Knowest not thou, poor rascal bachelor, that I can do it, since, as I say, I am thundering Jupiter, that carry in my hands the scorching bolts with which I can and use to threaten and destroy the world? But in one thing only will I chastise this ignorant town, which is that for three years together there shall fall no rain about it, nor the liberties thereof, counting from this time and instant hence-forward that this threat hath been made. Thou free, thou sound, thou wise? and I mad, I sick, I bound? As sure will I rain as I mean to hang myself.' The standers-by gave attention to the madman; but our bachelor, turning to the chaplain and taking him by the hand, said, 'Be not afraid, sir, nor take any heed to this madman's words; for if he be Jupiter, and will not rain, I that am Neptune, the father and god of the