me. I soon discovered by a telescope that it could be no other
than Don Quixote, and promised myself much amusement in the rencounter.

CHAPTER XXIX

_The Baron's retinue is opposed in a heroic style by Don Quixote, who in
his turn is attacked by Gog and Magog--Lord Whittington, with the Lord
Mayor's show, comes to the assistance of Don Quixote--Gog and Magog
assail his Lordship--Lord Whittington makes a speech, and deludes Gog
and Magog to his party--A general scene of uproar and battle among the
company, until the Baron, with great presence of mind, appeases the
tumult._

"What art thou?" exclaimed Don Quixote on his potent steed. "Who
art thou? Speak! or, by the eternal vengeance of mine arm, thy whole
machinery shall perish at sound of this my trumpet!"

Astonished at so rude a salutation, the great Sphinx stopped short,
and bridling up herself, drew in her head, like a snail when it touches
something that it does not like: the bulls set up a horrid bellowing,
the crickets sounded an alarm, and Gog and Magog advanced before the
rest. One of these powerful brothers had in his hand a great pole, to
the extremity of which was fastened a cord of about two feet in length,
and to the end of the cord was fastened a ball of iron, with spikes
shooting from it like the rays of a star; with this weapon he prepared
to encounter, and advancing thus he spoke:--

"Audacious wight! that thus, in complete steel arrayed, doth dare to
venture cross my way, to stop the great Munchausen. Know then, proud
knight, that thou shalt instant perish 'neath my potent arm."

When Quixote, Mancha's knight, responded firm:--

"Gigantic monster! leader of witches, crickets, and chimeras dire! know
thou, that here before yon azure heaven the cause of truth, of valour,
and of faith right pure shall ordeal counter try it!"

Thus he spoke, and brandishing his mighty spear, would instant prodigies
sublime perform, had not some wight placed 'neath the tail of dark
Rosinante furze all thorny base; at which, quadrupedanting, plunged the
steed, and instant on the earth the knight roared _credo_ for his life.

At that same moment ten thousand frogs started from the morions of Gog
and Magog, and furiously assailed the knight on every side. In vain he
roared, and invoked fair Dulcinea del Toboso: for frogs' wild croaking
seemed more loud, more sonorous than all his invocations. And thus in
battle vile the knight was overcome, and spawn all swarmed