little polished, he will agree with any
government, like the king with his customs; for we know by
repeated experience that great talents and learning are not
necessary in a governor, as there are a hundred at least who
govern like gerfalcons, though they can hardly read their
mother tongue. Provided their intention is righteous and
their desire to do justice, they will never want counsellors
to direct them in every transaction, like your military
governors, who being illiterate themselves, never decide
without the advice of an assessor. I shall advise him
corruption to eschew, but never quit his due, and inculcate
some other small matters that are in my head, which, in
process of time, may redound to his own interest as well as
to the advantage of the island under his command.

The customs of countries, or of great men's houses, are good
as far as they are agreeable.

"Faith, madam," quoth Sancho, "that same scruple is an honest scruple,
and need not speak in a whisper, but plain out, or as it lists; for I
know it says true, and had I been wise, I should long since have left my
master but such is my lot, or such my evil-errantry, I cannot help
it,--follow him I must. We are both of the same town; I have eaten his
bread; I love him, and he returns my love; he gave me his ass-colts.
Above all, I am faithful, so that nothing in the world, can part us but
the sexton's spade and shovel; and if your highness does not choose to
give me the government you promised, God made me without it, and perhaps
it may be all the better for my conscience if I do not get it; for fool
as I am, I understand the proverb, 'The pismire had wings to her
sorrow;' and perhaps it may be easier for Sancho the squire to get to
heaven than for Sancho the governor. They make as good bread here as in
France, and by night all cats are gray. Unhappy is he who has not
breakfasted at three, and no stomach is a span bigger than another, and
may be filled as they say, with straw or with hay.

"Of the little birds in the air, God himself takes the care; and four
yards of coarse cloth of Cuenza are warmer than as many of fine Segovia
serge; and in travelling from this world to the next, the road is no
wider for the prince than the peasant. The Pope's body takes up no more
room than that of the sexton, though a loftier person, for in the grave
we must pack close together whether we like it or not; so good-night to
all.

"And l