2
The History of
Book IV.
in, which are, in some respects, less pleasing, artificial, and true, than the History itself. The, which prosecuting the carded, spun, and self-twined Thread of the Relation, says, That as the Curate began to bethink himself upon some Answer that might both comfort and animate Cardenio, he was hindered by a Voice which came to his Hearing, said very dolefully the Words ensuing:
O Gods ! is it possible that I have yet found out the Place which may serve' for a hidden Sepulchre to the Load of this loathsome Body, that I unwillingly bear so long? Yes, it may be, if the Solitariness of these Rocks do not elude me. Ah! unfortunate that I am! how much more grateful Companions will these Craggs and Thickets prove to my Designs, by affording me Leisure to communicate my Mishaps to Heaven with Plaints, than that if any mortal Man living, since there is none upon Earth from whom may be expected Counsel in Doubts, Ease In Complaint, or in Harms Remedy? The Curate and his Companions heard and understood all the Words clearly; and for as much as they conjectured (as indeed it was) that those Plaints were delivered very near unto them, they did all arise to search out the Plaintiff; and having gone some twenty Steps thence, they beheld a young Youth behind a Rock, sitting under an Ash-tree, and attired like a Country Swain, whom, by reason his Face was inclined, as he sat washing of his Feet in the clear Stream that glided that Way, they could not perfectly discern; and therefore approached towards him with so great Silence, as they were not descried by him, who only attended to the washing of his Feet, which were so white, as they properly resemble two pieces of clear Chrystal, that grew among the other Stones of the Stream. The Whiteness and Beauty of the Feet amazed them, being not made, as they well conjectured, to tread Clods, or measure the Steps of lazy Oxen, and holding the Plough, as the Youth's Apparel would persuade them; and therefore the Curate, who went before the rest, seeing they were not yet espied, made, Signs to the other two, that they should divert a little out of the Way, or hide
them-
