his, because I intend to tear up the next oak or holm tree we
meet; with the trunk whereof I hope to perform such wondrous deeds that
thou wilt esteem thyself particularly happy in having had the honour to
behold them, and been the ocular witness of achievements which posterity
will scarce be able to believe."

"Heaven grant you may," cried Sancho; "I believe it all, because your
worship says it. But, an't please you, sit a little more upright in your
saddle; you ride sideling methinks; but that, I suppose, proceeds from
your being bruised by the fall."

"It does so," replied Don Quixote; "and if I do not complain of the
pain, it is because a knight-errant must never complain of his wounds."

"Then I have no more to say," quoth Sancho; "and yet Heaven knows my
heart, I should be glad to hear your worship groan a little now and then
when something ails you: for my part, I shall not fail to bemoan myself
when I suffer the smallest pain, unless, indeed, it can be proved that
the rule of not complaining extends to the squires as well as knights."

Don Quixote could not forbear smiling at the simplicity of his squire;
and told him he gave him leave to complain not only when he pleased, but
as much as he pleased, whether he had any cause or no; for he had never
yet read anything to the contrary in any books of chivalry.

CERVANTES: "The Adventures of Don Quixote."

THE ROMANCE OF THE SWAN'S NEST

Little Ellie sits alone
'Mid the beeches of a meadow,
By a stream-side on the grass,
And the trees are showering down
Doubles of their leaves in shadow,
On her shining hair and face.

She has thrown her bonnet by,
And her feet she has been dipping
In the shallow water's flow.
Now she holds them nakedly
In her hands, all sleek and dripping,
While she rocketh to and fro.

Little Ellie sits alone,
And the smile she softly uses,
Fills the silence like a speech,
While she thinks what shall be done,--
And the sweetest pleasure chooses
For her future within reach.

Little Ellie in her smile
Chooses ... "I will have a lover,
Riding on a steed of steeds!
He shall love me without guile,
And to _him_ I will discover
The swan's nest among the reeds.

"And the steed shall be red-roan,
And the lover shall be noble,
With an eye that takes the breath.
And