... And supposing the success of the adventure should not
be equal to our hopes, yet of the glory of so brave an attempt
no malice can deprive us.... The whole company raised their
voices at once, calling out, 'Speed you well, valorous
Knight! heaven guide thee, undaunted Squire! Now you fly
aloft!'"--_Adventures of Don Quixote_.]
Yes, "Speed you well, most valorous Knight!
Heaven guide you!"--and sound sense inspire you!
Small marvel that our land's black blight
Of want and misery should fire you,
Or any man whose heart will mourn
More for wrecked lives than broken crockery.
This picture is not shaped in scorn,
Nor meant in mockery.
La Mancha's Knight, though brave, was blind,
Squire _Sancho_ just a trifle credulous,
But our dear Don was nobly kind,
And in the cause of suffering sedulous.
If, mounting MALAMBRUNO's steed,
He showed more sanguine than sagacious,
He was not moved by huckster greed,
Or pride edacious.
But "with what bridle is he led?
And with what halter is he guided?"
Asked _Sancho_, rubbing his clown's head.
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