Page:Don Quixote (Cervantes, Ormsby) Volume 1.djvu/95

DON BELIANIS OF GREECE^[1]

TO DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA.

SONNET.

In slashing, hewing, cleaving, word, and deed,
I was the foremost knight of chivalry,
Stout, bold, expert, as e'er the world did see;
Thousands from the oppressor's wrong I freed;
Great were my feats, eternal fame their meed;
In love I proved my truth and loyalty;
The hugest giant was a dwarf for me;
Ever to knighthood's laws gave I good heed.
My mastery the Fickle Goddess owned,
And even Chance, submitting to control.
Grasped by the forelock, yielded to my will.
Yet—though above yon hornèd moon enthroned
My fortune seems to sit—great Quixote, still
Envy of thy achievements fills my soul.

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THE LADY ORIANA^[2]

TO DULCINEA DEL TOBOSO.

SONNET.

Oh, fairest Dulcinea, could it be!
It were a pleasant fancy to suppose so—
Could Miraflores change to El Toboso,
And London's town to that which shelters thee!
Oh, could mine but acquire that livery
Of countless charms thy mind and body show so!
Or him, now famous grown—thou mad'st him grow so—
Thy knight, in some dread combat could I see!
Oh, could I be released from Amadis
By exercise of such coy chastity

1. F. Note 1, p. 3.
2. Oriana, the heroine of Amadis of Gaul. Her castle Miraflores was within two leagues of London. Shelton in his translation puts it at Greenwich.