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MEN.

The DUKE RICARDO.

DON QUIXOTE DE LA MANCHA.
SANCHO PANÇA.

ALONZO

PEDRO Favourites of the Duke.

MANUEL

RECORDER.

TAYLOR.

GARDENER.

LITTLE MAN.

SMUGGLER.

CUSTOM-HOUSE OFFICER.

CRYER.

Messengers, Servants, &c.

WOMEN.

The DUCHESS.

TERESA, Wife to Sancho.
MARY,* his Daughter.

DONNA RODRIGUEZ, Waiting Woman
to the Duchess.

STOUT WOMAN.

Baratarian Lords, Ladies, Guards and Attendants.

SCENE, in the Province of Arragon in Spain.

* In Don Quixote, Sancho's daughter is called SANCHICA.

BARATARIA.

ACT I.

SCENE I. An Apartment in The Duke Ricardo's Palace.

Enter MANUEL and PEDro.

Manuel. This is truly a curious whim of the Duke's to make Sancho a governor.

Pedro. I like the fancy of all things, and can anticipate in idea laughter without end from it. Sudden ele vation too often makes the wise man forget himself, and become ridiculous; now I shall be glad to see what effect it will have upon a fool.

Man. The best of the joke is, old Rodriguez, her Grace's woman, takes every thing seriously; and is enraged to see a fellow like Sancho Pança dignified with the title of Governor, whilst nothing is done for her after so many years attendance on the Duchess.

Ped. Are not you to be continually about his person? Man. Yes; but the duke has not yet given me my in structions in full. I wish you had overheard Don Quixote this morning, admonishing Sancho for degrading his rank, by scuffling with one of the grooms over the gridiron, about a brown crust and a rasher of bacon; he look'd as fierce as the Knight of the burning sword, or the Knight of the burning pestle, while the chop-fallen governor hung his head, as if he expected every minute to be cut into mince-meat, or pounded to a jelly. In pity to poor Sancho at last I interposed, and rescued his excellency from a rib-roasting.

Ped. As I am known to have pick'd up a smattering

of Latin, whilst attending the Duke at Salamanca, I have been appointed state physician to his governorship.

Man. The worst character you could have assumed to appear gracious in Sancho's eye; he has a mortal aversion to physicians and lawyers, since his beloved Dapple had like to have been killed by the quackery of a horsedoctor, and he himself ruined by the knavery of a pettyfogging attorney. I should not be surprized if he commence his government by issuing a proclamation for the extinction of both professions, sentencing the members of each to hang up and poison one another.

Ped. History says, the cackling of a goose saved a whole nation in antient times, and may again in modern, for aught we can tell to the contrary.

Man. These trumpets announce our new governor receiving his commission in form. Come, pray let us see the ceremony.

Ped. By all means; I would not miss it to be appointed governor to an island in good earnest.

[Exeunt.

SCENE II. A grand Apartment in the Palace.

The DUKE, DUCHESS, DON QUIXOTE, SANCHO, RODRIGUEZ, and Attendants, discovered.

A pompous Flourish of Trumpets.

Duke. Illustrious and renowned La Mancha, we hold ourselves much honour'd by your visit. Your resolution still to pursue high events, and add new laurels to your well-won fame, we must commend, however it afflicts us; and be assured, the choice we have made of your faithful 'Squire, to fill a post of honour, trust, and dignity, is chiefly owing to the high rank he has long held in your favour. Your patronage has raised him to our esteem and friendship.

Don Quixote. Your Grace is truly noble. My sense of all your many favours transcends the power of utterI quit your territories, fill'd with sentiments of your grace, sublime and awful. My faithful Sancho, I

ance.

am well assured, will never forfeit that confidence your grace reposes in him: should he prove ingrate, no punishment would be severe enough for his deserts-no power withhold my means to inflict it.

to

Duke. My worthy friend (to Sancho) proceed we now your nomination.

Don Quix. That look, Sancho! is that a look fit for a governor? Hold up thy head for shame.-His joy, my lord, has so prest upon his spirits, his tongue is not yet at liberty.

Duke. Know all, we here have made our choice.Of Barataria* be thou governor, and thy commands be absolute.

Omnes. Long live the noble governor of Barataria. [Artillery discharged, drums and trumpets flourish, whilst Sancho is invested with the ensigns of his new appointment.]

Duke. Into your hands we put your new commission, with our broad seal, which raises you to supreme authority over our islanders. [Gives him a roll of parch[ment.

Sancho. And good care your grace shall find I'll take of it; nobody shall steal this muffin from me [handling the seal.] I'll lay my seal up at night, and my robes also, where no thieves shall come at them.

Don Quix. Oh! fortunate Sancho! Oh! most happy 'squire! I greet thee.

Duchess. And I.

Omnes. And all of us.

Sancho. Ah truly, Sir, this sounds well indeed; there's no squeaking in this bagpipe; 'tis wonderful to think how merrily an ass will trip up hill that's laden with gold.

Don Quix. Art thou now satisfied that through my

* BARATO, in Spanish, means cheap, so the name of the Island Sancho was to govern, was called Barataria, either because the town was called Baratario, or because he had obtained his guternment very cheaply. See Don Quixote, Vol. II. cb. xlv.

means thou hast at last obtained thy long-look'd-for government?

-

Sancho. I am, Sir: Long-look'd-for come at last ;Better late than never;-He who is obstinate soon wears his coat threadbare ;-Folly may hinder a man of many a good turn. I beseech you, Sir, to pardon my proverbs, and thank the Duke there for his noble favour, which I do now resolve to deserve, by filling my place as well as I can.

Duke. Have the chief citizens, and leading men of the island, notice of their new governor's approach?

Attendant. They have, my lord.

Duke. 'Tis well. Is there aught else, our much-beloved Sancho, in which myself, or the Duchess there, can honour thee?

Duchess. Any thing in my power the noble governor is sure he may command, unless it be to give him leave to salute my woman Rodriguez before he departs for his government.

Rodriguez. Salute me?—I'd see his governorship hanged first.

Duke. Come, good words Rodriguez; there is a vast distinction now between you and Sancho; but to prevent that envy, and that insult, his sudden elevation may excite, be it known, that henceforward, the commands of the noble Don Sancho be absolute as my own throughout all my dominions.

Duchess. Be it your care, Rodriguez, to see the squire is nobly treated.

Sancho. Thank your noblenesses-Then pray, mistress, since I find you have nothing to do, will you be so kind just to step yonder into the court-yard, and you'll find a dapple-grey ass-do so much as see they tend him as well as my master's horse, for 'tis a loving creature; I can't 'tend him myself by reason you see I have affairs here to mind.

Rod. Why, how now, jackanapes! know you whom you talk to take that-[strikes him] for your ill manhers, if you were fifty times a governor.

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