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From Count Lucanor; of the Fifty Pleasant Stories of Patronio, written by the Prince Don Juan Manuel and first done into English by James York, M. D., 1868;; Gibbings & Company, Limited; London; 1899; pp. 1-21.

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1



PROLOGUE

manuscript letter A MONGST the many strange things that our Lord God made, He thought good to make one very marvellous. That is, that of the numberless men who are in the world, there is not one who altogether resembles another in face. All men’s features, indeed, are made up of the same parts, but these parts are not the same in one as in another. And since in the features, which take up so small a place, there is to be found so great a variety, it is less to be wondered at that there should be a difference in the mind and will of men, and that you should find no man in these respects altogether like another. And I will give you a few examples that you may the better understand this.

Men, who seek and desire to serve God, all seek one thing, but they do not all serve Him in the same manner; for some serve Him in one way, others in another. Or again, those who serve their lords, all serve them, but all do not serve them in one and the same manner.

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Again, those who labour in the fields, or rear stock, or manufacture, or hunt, have all different methods of doing the same thing. From these and many other examples, too long to relate, you will understand that, although all men possess will, mind, and feelings alike, little as they resemble each other in features, still less do they in these other qualities: and each acquires a greater fitness and aptitude, where self-interest is the stimulant; so, if you wish to convey your knowledge to another, endeavour to convince him that it is for his own interest. And as many men do not understand subtle or abstract matters, hence it is that they derive no pleasure from books, or writings, which treat only of such subjects; and consequently can never appreciate or understand them. And therefore I, Don Juan, son of the Infant Don Manuel, Governor of the frontiers and kingdom of Murcia, composed this book, using therein the choicest expressions I could find; introducing also many examples which may benefit those who hear them; and this I did following the example of the physicians, who, in their treatment of the liver, mix with their medicines sugar, honey, or something to make them more agreeable.* So is it when any other member of the body is affected, 3 each requires its own proper remedy; and this rule I will, with the blessing of God, adopt in this book, so that all who read it may be benefited and amused at the same time, and they shall not have the excuse to say that, being tiresome and dry, the good advice therein was lost; for, like the palatable ingredients combined with the bitter medicines essential for the complaint, so the beauty and aptness of the language which I have endeavoured to convey in this book shall render the moral inseparable from the story.

And God, who is the author and giver of all good, will I trust, in His mercy, cause all who read this book to derive benefit therefrom both in soul and body; knowing this to be my desire and intention in writing it; and He wills attribute any faults committed therein to the weakness of my understanding, and not to perverseness of spirit. And if any good be derived therefrom, I and my readers should thank God for it, He being the author and source of all light and truth. And now we will commence the book in the manner of a dialogue between Count Lucanor and his friendly adviser Patronio.





NOTE.

*  Compare Tasso, Ger. Lib. I. 3.

“So we, if children young diseased we find,
      Anoint with sweets the vessel’s foremost parts,
      To make them taste the potions sharp we give;
      They drink deceived; and so deceived they live.”

FAIRFAX’S translation.




4



COUNT LUCANOR.


CHAPTER I.

Relates to what happened to a Moorish king of Cordova.

manuscript letter O NE day Count Lucanor spoke to Patronio his friend after this manner: —

“Patronio, you know that I am a great hunter, and that I have invented many new devices in hunting which no other man ever thought of; and you know also that I have made improvements in the hoods and leashes, such as were never made before; nevertheless the people speak ill of me, and ridicule me; and when they praise the Cid Ruy Diaz, or Count Ferdinand Gonzalez, for the many things which they did, or the holy and happy King Ferdinand for the many conquests which he gained, they say of me, with ironical praise, that I also have done many great things, alluding to the hoods and leashes. Now I feel this irony very painful to me, and injurious to my character; therefore, I pray you, advise me what 5 to do, so as to avoid being ridiculed for the good things I do. ”

“My lord,” said Patronio, “in order that you may know what it behoves you to do in this case, I will, with your permission, relate what happened to a Moorish king of Cordova.” The Count assented, and Patronio proceeded: —

“There was in Cordova a Moorish king, named Alhaquima, who governed his kingdom well: he studied to act with honor to himself and justice to others; indeed, he did all that was required of good kings; not only in guarding their kingdoms, but in augmenting their territories, with the view that they might receive the praises of their people; and after death be remembered for their good deeds. Yet this king gave himself up to a life of luxury and enjoyment; vice and disorder reigning in his palace. Now it happened as they played before him on an instrument which the Moors liked very much, and which they called Albogon, that the king perceived that it did not sound as well as it ought, so he took the instrument and made a hole at the lower part of it, but in the same direction as the other holes; and since that time the Albogon has given a much better sound than before.

“Now although this cannot be considered but as an improvement, yet it was not an act suited to the dignity of a king — and so thought the people — for when they heard that the improvement was made by the king, they exclaimed in a ridiculing manner 6 in Arabic, ‘Vahedezut Alhaquima,’ which signifies, ‘This is the work of King Alhaquima.’ This exclamation became so common all over the country that it at last reached the ears of the king, who begged to know why the people always used this saying; but his attendants were anxious to avoid answering his question. He however insisted on being told the truth, and the signification of the expression; so they were compelled to tell him. When he heard it he was very much grieved; but instead of punishing those who related the origin of the saying, he resolved to do some worthy deed, in order that the people might be compelled to praise him deservedly.

“At this time the mosque of Cordova not being yet finished, King Alhaquima did all that was necessary for its completion, and in this way it became one of the most beautiful mosques the Moors had in Spain, — glory to God! it is now a church, called ‘Saint Mary of Cordova.’ — It was dedicated, by the ‘good King Ferdinand,’ to Saint Mary after he had taken Cordova from the Moors.

“Now when the Moorish king had done so good a work as that of finishing the mosque he said to himself, the people have hitherto ridiculed me for the addition I made to the Albogon, (one of which instruments he then held before him,) but now they have reason for praising me, for have I not completed the mosque of Cordova? From this time the Moors ceased to speak in ridicule of him; and to this 7 day, when they wish to exalt a good act, say, ‘It is as the work of King Alhaquima.’

“And you, my lord, if you feel displeased and unhappy because you are ridiculed for the improvements you have made in hoods and leathers and other things relating to the chase, study to do some noble and worthy deed suitable to your station.”

Count Lucanor found this to be good advice, and acted accordingly, the result being that the people spoke well of him.

Don Juan, considering this to be a good example, caused it to be written in this book, and made these verses, which say: —

If any good thou doest, how small soever,
Let it be nobly done, for good deeds live for ever.




NOTES.

It would appear that in this narrative the author refers to Al Hakem II, who reigned in Cordova from 961 to 976. He was a man of peace and a cultivator of the Arts, like his noble father Abd’ el Nahman III, who built the beautiful city of Medina al Zarah, on the banks of the Guadalquivir, if he did not finish, at any rate he appears to have done much towards a mosque which occupied more than one hundred years in its completion.

King Ferdinand III, mentioned in the text, was enthusiastic in obtaining from the Moors their splendid mosques, with the view of converting them into Christian Churches; it was thus in 1236, that he conquered Cordova, and replacing the crescent with the cross on the tower of the mosque, with grand processions, benedictions, and prayers, purified and dedicated it to the Virgin Mary.

It is an interesting fact that to this day, the saying, “It is as the work of King Alhaquima,” is a “household word,” in Spain, when praise is to be bestowed for any work or achievement.



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CHAPTER II.

Treats of that which happened to Lorenzo Suarez Gallinato, and Garciperez of Vargas, and another knight.

manuscript letter O NE day Count Lucanor was conversing with his counsellor Patronio, he said: — “Patronio, it happens that I have a powerful king for an enemy; our quarrel has lasted so long that we have now resolved, for our future welfare, to terminate the war. Now, although we have thus agreed, nevertheless we are suspicious one of the other, and I am always on my guard; for, not only his people, but mine also, have been assassinated; and they send me, without ceasing, secret messengers informing me that my own life is in danger. Now, as I wish to be at peace, I entreat you to advise me how to act under these circumstances.”

“Count Lucanor,” replied Patronio, “the advice which I have to give you demands your serious attention, and for many reasons.”

“Firstly: — Any man wishing to quarrel with you will be under the necessity of making great preparations, while he will endeavour to lead you, at the same time, to understand that he only desires to serve you, and while appearing to regret the injuries 9 you have sustained, will doubtless let fall some remark such as will raise your suspicion, of which you must avail yourself by making the required preparations, although this very act not improbably may lead to the rupture.

“He, however, who advises you to take no precaution, believe me, is not your friend; but he who would say, ‘Strengthen the walls of your fortress,’ gives you a reason to believe that he does not desire to enjoy your possessions; he again who would say to you, ‘You have too many friends and attendants, and you expend too much money in maintaining them,’ gives you reason to believe that he does not like your honourable and secure position. So you see, you are in great danger if you take no measure of precaution, while again, if you do, you are very likely to bring about a conflict. But since you wish me to advise you how to act in this case, I will recount to you what happened to a certain very brave knight.

“The holy and good King Ferdinand, having besieged Seville, had amongst his followers three knights, who were considered the best and bravest in the world. One was Lorenzo Suarez Gallinato, another was Garciperez de Vargas, but the name of the other I have forgotten. These three knights had, one day, a dispute among themselves as to who was the most daring and valiant; and, since they could not agree in any other manner, they each determined to reach the gate of Seville, and to strike it with their 10 lances. The following morning they armed, and rode towards the city. Now when the Moors who were on the bastions and towers saw only three knights, they thought they came as envoys, so allowed them to pass the moat, and parapet, and arrive at the city gate. On reaching the gate, each knight struck it with his lance, and having done so, turned his horse’s head towards the camp. When the Moors saw the knights returning without leaving any message, they concluded that they had come only to offer an insult, and so determined to pursue them. On opening the gate the Moors found that the knights had already gone some distance; nevertheless they followed them with fifteen hundred thousand horse, and more than twenty thousand foot. Now when the three knights saw the Moors approaching, they turned their horses and waited their arrival; but, on their coming nearer, the knight, whose name I have forgotten, was the first to charge them, whilst Lorenzo Suarez and Garciperez remained quiet; but, on the Moors coming still nearer, Garciperez charged them also, Lorenzo Suarez still remaining stationary until the Moors forced him to the attack; when he threw himself among them and performed wonderful acts of valour. When the royal army saw their knights surrounded by the Moors, they hastened to their assistance, as they saw them in great danger; but, by the mercy of God, none of these knights were mortally (although severely) wounded. The conflict, however, between 11 the Moors and Christians became so general that king Ferdinand was obliged to approach in person; and on that day the Christians displayed great valour.

“When the king returned to the camp, he ordered these three knights to be brought before him, telling them that they deserved death for having acted so foolishly, by having without his orders brought on a general engagement; thereby causing the loss of many brave soldiers. The chiefs of the army, however, interceded with the king for them, and they were liberated in consequence.

“Soon after, the king, hearing that the knights had acted from spirit of emulation, ordered them to attend again, and assembled all the most valiant men of his army; so that they might decide which was the bravest. The debate was animated, each bringing forth good reason for praising his own party — some maintaining that he who first attacked the Moors displayed the greatest courage; — others giving preference to the second; the decision, however, was given thus: —

“If the Moors who approached had not been so numerous, and could skill and courage have conquered, then the knight who first charged them only began that which he might have completed; but, since this was not the case, he must have approached, not to conquer, but, through shame of flight, and an inability to resist the influence of fear, therefore it was that he made the attack. The second had better hopes than the first, because he 12 resisted acting in an hopeless cause and bore longer the emotions consequent upon his perilous position. But, Lorenzo Suarez Gallinato, who waited until the Moors attacked him, was judged to be the most valiant.

“And you, my lord, although you are kept in the state of alarm and suspicion of which you now complain, yet engage not in a struggle the end of which you cannot foresee, continue to exercise you good sense, and do not suffer yourself to be led away by false reports. Your defences are good, so that, even from a sudden attack, you cannot receive much damage.

“I advise you now, my lord, to be of good cheer, since you cannot be seriously injured. Wait before you act, for perhaps you will see that the reports which annoy you are not true. Those who create these alarms seek only their own interest; and believe me, whether they be of your own or your enemy’s people, they are indifferent whether it be war or peace; their object being only that they may be favoured with an opportunity during the commotion to gratify their wicked passions — so that, during the conflict between you and your enemy, they may possess themselves, not only of that belonging to yourself, but of that which belongs to others, without fear of punishment.

“So that you are secured against any sudden attack, it is much better to wait until the wrong comes from the other side. Be patient — all may yet end well — 13 God will be with you, which in such a cause is no small matter. Again, all people will know that you act only for your own preservation; nor can your enemy declare himself aggrieved. Thus may you preserve peace, which is agreeable to the will of God and all good men.”

Don Juan, finding this to be a good example, wrote the following lines, which say: —

When danger comes, haste not to meet it,
Quietly wait, yet boldly treat it.




NOTES.

Of these three knights of the thirteenth century we have little on record. Don Lorenzo Suarez Gallinato, has, however, been mentioned in another example, the forty-ninth chapter of this work, by Don Manuel, where he appears, although a Christian, to have occupied the distinguished post of Chief of the body-guard to the King of Granada.

Of Garcio Perez Vargas the genealogy has been carefully traced by Argote de Molina, in his Nobleza de Andalucia, fol. 96-122, where he is mentioned as one of the nobles of Count Don Pedro. The most brilliant part of his career was at the siege of Seville, and at the battle of Zeres, where he was knighted by the hand of Don Alvar Perez de Castro, for having killed the King of Ganzules. His name is perpetuated by an inscription still existing over the gate of Zeres at Seville, of which the following is a translation: —



“Hercules built me,

Julius Cæsar surrounded me with walls and lofty towers,

  A Gothic King lost me,

  The holy King won me,

Assisted by Garcio Perez de Vargas.”

The brother of this hero, Diego Perez de Vargas, is mentioned 14 by Cervantes as a man of great prowess and valour. Fighting bravely one day at the siege of Seville, against the Moors, he broke his sword, when seizing a heavy branch or trunk of an oak tree, he, with his terrible weapon, caused such destruction among his enemies that he was nicknamed “El Machaco (the Pounder,)” from the Spanish word Machacar, to pound. Since then the family have assumed the name and have been known as Vargas y Machacar (Don Quixote, cap. 8).





CHAPTER III.

Treats of that which happened to Don Rodrigo el Franco and his knights.

manuscript letter O NE day as Count Lucanor was conversing with Patronio his counsellor, he said: — “Patronio, it has happened that I have had many great wars, and of such a kind that I have often found myself much embarrassed. Upon one occasion I was in the greatest distress, when those to whom I have done much service, and who are indebted to me for all they possess, deserted me, — nay more, even exerted themselves to injure me. Such conduct, to tell you truly, has given me a worse opinion of mankind than I had before I knew these people: I therefore request your advice how to act under these circumstances.”

“My lord,” said Patronio, “if those people who 15 have acted so ungratefully were like Nuñez de Fuente Almejir and Ruy Gonzalez de Zavallos and Gutierre Rodriguez de Langueruella, and had known what happened to them, they would not have acted as they have done.”

“How was that?” said the Count.

“My Lord,” said Patronio, “it happened thus; — The Count Rodrigo el Franco married a lady of rank, daughter of Garcia de Azagra. This lady was very virtuous; but the Count, her husband, calumniated her. Having no other resource, she prayed to God that if she were guilty He would demonstrate it by a miracle; and if the Count had falsely accused her, He would show it also by a miracle. Scarcely was the prayer ended, when, by a miracle of God, the Count was smitten with leprosy, and she parted from him. Soon after this separation, the King of Navarre having sent his Ambassador to demand the hand of the lady, she accepted him and became Queen of Navarre. The Count being leprous, and seeing that his disease could not be cured, made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land that he might die there. Now, although he had been much honoured and had many faithful retainers, yet there accompanied him only the three knights of whom I have spoken, who dwelt there so long that they expended all they had brought from their own country, and were reduced to such poverty that they had nothing to give the Count to eat. Being so reduced, they resolved that two of them should each day go to the 16 market-place for hire, while the other remained with the Count, — and in this way they supported their lord; as also every night they bathed and wiped the wounds of the leper. It happened one night, as they were bathing his arms and legs, that they felt inclined to spit, — and so spat. When the Count saw that all spat, and believing that they did it from the disgust which his malady created, he began to weep, greatly regretting the dislike and repugnance which they evinced towards him; when they, wishing to convince the Count that they felt no disgust, took up in their hands some of the water, impure as it was, and drank freely of it. In this manner they continued devoted to the Count until he died. They then determined that it would be wrong to return to Castille without the Count, living or dead; so they resolved to take his body with them. The distance making this difficult, the natives advised them to boil the body and take the bones, but they replied that they would never consent to this, for as they had not allowed any one to touch their lord during his life, neither would they now that he was dead. They then buried him, and waited patiently until all the flesh had perished from off his bones, which they collected, and placing them in a chest, carried them back to Castille on their shoulders, begging their food as they went, and although bearing evident marks of their wretched poverty, arrived nevertheless in good health at Tolosa.

“On one occasion, as they entered a city on their 17 way, they met a crowd of people who were leading a lady of rank to be burned, she having been accused by her husband’s brother of adultery, and the sentence would be fulfilled unless a knight were found who would defend her.

“Now, when Pero Nuñez, of noble and loyal character, heard that, for want of a defender, she might be lost, he told her relations that if he knew the lady to be innocent he would save her, and he requested the lady herself to reveal to him the whole truth. She said she certainly had not committed the crime of which they accused her, but that she had had the intention of doing so. Pero Nuñez, on hearing that she had had the intention to do what she ought not, felt assured that some misfortune would happen to whomsoever might defend her; but since he had already espoused her cause, and knew that she had not committed the crime of which they accused her, he declared himself her champion. Her accusers attempted to prevent his interference under the plea of his not being noble; but Pero Nuñez having proved his nobility, and that they could not prevent him, the friends of the lady furnished him with a horse and arms. Before entering the arena he said to his friends, that, with the assistance of God, he would save the lady and return with honour, but that he felt assured some harm would befall him for the evil which she had intended doing.

“Soon after entering the arena, by the help of 18 God, Pero Nuñez vanquished his adversary and saved the lady, but in doing so lost an eye, — and so was that fulfilled which he had anticipated.

“The lady and her relations made so many presents to Pero Nuñez, that he and his two companions were able to pursue their journey with more ease, still carrying the bones of their lord.

“As they were themselves without leprosy, the King of Castille, hearing of their approach, and that they were carrying with them the bones of their master, expressed himself much gratified to have amongst his subjects such faithful vassals. He sent, therefore, a request that they should come direct to him on foot, dressed just as they were. On the day they returned to the kingdom of Castille, the King himself went on foot five leagues beyond the frontiers of his dominions to meet them. On their arrival they received so many gifts from the King and the people, that they not only became rich themselves, but their descendants also after them.

“Now the King and all those who accompanied him came to do honour to the memory of the Count, but more especially to the devotion shown by the three knights. They all followed the remains of the leper until they arrived at Osma, where they were interred, after which the three knights separated, and each returned to his home.

“The day Ruy Gonzalez arrived at his house, and was seated at table with his wife, she seeing the good meat which was placed before her, raised her 19 hands to heaven, and said, ‘Lord! blessed mayest thou be, that thou hast permitted me to see this day, for thou knowest that since Ruy Gonzalez departed from this country this is the first time that I have eaten meat or drunk wine;’ and Ruy Gonzalez was grieved and said, ‘Why have you done so?’ ‘Do you not remember,’ said she, ‘that when you departed with the Count and vowed that you would not return without him, you expressed a wish that I should live as a good and honest wife, wanting not bread and water; and since you said that, would it have been right to disobey your wishes? and for this have I eaten only bread and water.’

“Pero Nuñez, arriving at his house, was received by his wife and friends with great joy, and so great was their pleasure that they could not look at him without laughing, so much so, that Pero Nuñez was impressed with the feeling that they laughed because he had lost an eye; so, with an air of chagrin, he covered his head with his cloak and threw himself on the bed. His good wife, seeing him so sad, was greatly afflicted, and so earnestly did she urge him to tell her the cause of his grief, that he was constrained to say he thought they laughed at him for having lost his eye. No sooner had she heard this than, seizing a needle, she thrust it into her own eye, thereby destroying it, and exclaiming, — ‘Henceforth if any one laughs it cannot be in contempt of you.’ And so God rewarded these trusty knights for their fidelity and honour.

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“And now, my lord, I say as before, — if those of whom you complain had been like these three knights, or had even known what happened to them, they would not have conducted themselves as they have done.

“But to you, Count Lucanor, permit me to say that the evil conduct of these people must not prevent you from doing good when it is in your power. It is not necessary to separate those to whom you have been serviceable from those you may have injured; but were you to do so, you would probably find that you have received more good from the first than evil from the latter. It would be foolish to expect gratitude from all men to whom you have rendered service; but it might so happen that one of those people may so remunerate you with his devotion, as would compensate you for all the good you have done to others.”

The Count estimated this as a wise and virtuous precept. And it being considered by Don Juan as a narrative worthy to be retained, he ordered it to be written in this book, and made these lines: — 21

Though others injure thee, or spite,
Yet cease not thou to do aright.





NOTES.

Although each age and country may have its distinguishing glory, whether it be the wisdom of Athens, the arts of Greece, or the heroism of Rome, or the chivalry of the Crusaders, none is perhaps more attractive in its character then the last-named, 21 and it is in this that Don Manuel has depicted that patient and devoted fidelity displayed by his three knights to their degraded and expatriated lord, in which their feudal honour and allegiance knew no check until their mission was completely fulfilled. The little interlude of gallantry displayed by Pero Nuñez, so neatly introduced, showing that even an evil intention not carried into effect brings with it always a certain punishment, demands our approval.

The names and chivalric deeds of these three knights have been handed down to posterity in the Nobiliare of Argote de Molina.





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