with regard to persons and times, not
with any ingenuity of contrivance, but with the most
manifest and inexcusable errors and stupidity; and what is
worst of all, there is a set of ignorant pretenders who call
this the perfection of writing, and that every attempt to
succeed by a contrary method is no other than a wild-goose
chase.

The bow cannot remain always bent; and relaxation, both of
body and mind, is indispensable to all.

Can you deny what is in everybody's mouth, when a person is
in the dumps? It is always then said, "I know not what such
a one ails--he neither eats, nor drinks, nor sleeps, nor
answers to the purpose, like other men--surely he is
enchanted." Wherefore, it is clear that such, and such only,
are enchanted who neither eat, nor drink, nor sleep, and not
they who eat and drink when they can get it, and answer
properly to all that is asked them.

The poor man is unable to exercise the virtue of liberality;
and the gratitude which consists only in inclination is a
dead thing, even as faith without works is dead. I shall,
therefore, rejoice when fortune presents me with an
opportunity of exalting myself, that I may show my heart in
conferring benefits on my friends, especially on poor Sancho
Panza here, my squire, who is one of the best men in the
world; and I would fain bestow on him an earldom, as I have
long since promised; although I am somewhat in doubt of his
ability in the government of his estate.

Sancho, overhearing his master's last words, said: "Take you the
trouble, Signor Don Quixote, to procure me that same earldom, which your
worship has so often promised, and I have been so long waiting for, and
you shall see that I shall not want ability to govern it. But even if I
should, there are people, I have heard say, who farm these lordships;
and paying the owners so much a year, take upon themselves the
government of the whole, while his lordship lolls at his ease, enjoying
his estate, without concerning himself any further about it. Just so
will I do, and give myself no more trouble than needs mast, but enjoy
myself like any duke, and let the world rub."

"This, brother Sancho," said the canon, "may be done, as far as regards
the management of your revenue; but the administration of justice must
be attended to by the lord himself, and requires capacity, judgment,
and, above all, an upright intention, without which nothing prosp