earth that it will be no easy matter
to pluck it up or shift it from where it is; you know as well as I do
that there is no sort of office of any importance that is not obtained
by a bribe of some kind, great or small; well, then, that which I look
to receive for this government is that you go with your master Don
Quixote, and bring this memorable adventure to a conclusion; and whether
you return on Clavileno as quickly as his speed seems to promise, or
adverse fortune brings you back on foot traveling as a pilgrim from
hostel to hostel and from inn to inn, you will always find your island
on your return where you left it, and your islanders with the same
eagerness they have always had to receive you as their governor, and my
good will will remain the same; doubt not the truth of this, Senor
Sancho, for that would be grievously wronging my disposition to serve
you."

"Say no more, senor," said Sancho; "I am a poor squire and not equal to
carrying so much courtesy; let my master mount; bandage my eyes and
commit me to God's care, and tell me if I may commend myself to our Lord
or call upon the angels to protect me when we go towering up there."

To this the Trifaldi[469-4] made answer, "Sancho, you may freely commend
yourself to God or whom you will; for Malambruno, though an enchanter,
is a Christian, and works his enchantments with great circumspection,
taking very good care not to fall out with any one."

"Well then," said Sancho, "God and the most holy Trinity give me help!"

"Cover thine eyes, Sancho," said Don Quixote, "and mount; for one who
sends for us from lands so far distant cannot mean to deceive us for the
sake of the paltry glory to be derived from deceiving persons who trust
in him; though all should turn out the contrary of what I hope, no
malice will be able to dim the glory of having undertaken this exploit."

"Let us be off, senor," said Sancho, "for I have taken the beards and
tears of the ladies deeply to heart, and I shan't eat a bite to relish
it until I have seen them restored to their former smoothness. Mount,
your worship, and blindfold yourself, for if I am to go on the croup, it
is plain the rider in the saddle must mount first."

"That is true," said Don Quixote, and, taking a handkerchief out of his
pocket, he begged the Distressed One to bandage his eyes very carefully;
but after having them bandaged he uncovered them, saying, "If my memory
does not deceive me, I have read in Virgil