The Baron1's retinue2 is opposed in a heroic style by Don Quixote, who in his turn is attacked by Gog and Magog—Lord Whittington, with the Lord Mayor's show, comes to the assistance of Don Quixote—Gog and Magog assail3 his Lordship—Lord Whittington makes a speech, and deludes4 Gog and Magog to his party—A general scene of uproar5 and battle among the company, until the Baron, with great presence of mind, appeases6 the tumult7.
"What art thou?" exclaimed Don Quixote on his potent8 steed. "Who art thou? Speak! or, by the eternal vengeance9 of mine arm, thy whole machinery10 shall perish at sound of this my trumpet11!"
Astonished at so rude a salutation, the great Sphinx stopped short, and bridling12 up herself, drew in her head, like a snail13 when it touches something that it does not like: the bulls set up a horrid14 bellowing15, the crickets sounded an alarm, and Gog and Magog advanced before the rest. One of these powerful brothers had in his hand a great pole, to the extremity16 of which was fastened a cord of about two feet in length, and to the end of the cord was fastened a ball of iron, with spikes17 shooting from it like the rays of a star; with this weapon he prepared to encounter, and advancing thus he spoke18:—
"Audacious wight! that thus, in complete steel arrayed, doth dare to venture cross my way, to stop the great Munchausen. Know then, proud knight20, that thou shalt instant perish 'neath my potent arm."
When Quixote, Mancha's knight, responded firm:—
"Gigantic monster! leader of witches, crickets, and chimeras21 dire22! know thou, that here before yon azure23 heaven the cause of truth, of valour, and of faith right pure shall ordeal24 counter try it!"
Thus he spoke, and brandishing25 his mighty26 spear, would instant prodigies27 sublime28 perform, had not some wight placed 'neath the tail of dark Rosinante furze all thorny29 base; at which, quadrupedanting, plunged30 the steed, and instant on the earth the knight roared credo for his life.
At that same moment ten thousand frogs started from the morions of Gog and Magog, and furiously assailed31 the knight on every side. In vain he roared, and invoked32 fair Dulcinea del Toboso: for frogs' wild croaking33 seemed more loud, more sonorous34 than all his invocations. And thus in battle vile35 the knight was overcome, and spawn36 all swarmed37 upon his glittering helmet.
"Detested38 miscreants39!" roared the knight; "avaunt! Enchanters dire and goblins could alone this arduous40 task perform; to rout41 the knight of Mancha, foul42 defeat, and war, even such as ne'er was known before. Then hear, O del Toboso! hear my vows43, that thus in anguish44 of my soul I urge, midst frogs, Gridalbin, Hecaton, Kai, Talon46, and the Rove! [for such the names and definitions of their qualities, their separate powers.] For Merlin plumed47 their airy flight, and then in watery48 moonbeam dyed his rod eccentric. At the touch ten thousand frogs, strange metamorphosed, croaked49 even thus: And here they come, on high behest, to vilify50 the knight that erst defended famed virginity, and matrons all bewronged, and pilgrims hoar, and courteous51 guise52 of all! But the age of chivalry53 is gone, and the glory of Europe is extinguished for ever?"
He spake, and sudden good Lord Whittington, at head of all his raree-show, came forth54, armour55 antique of chivalry, and helmets old, and troops, all streamers, flags and banners glittering gay, red, gold, and purple; and in every hand a square of gingerbread, all gilded56 nice, was brandished57 awful. At a word, ten thousand thousand Naples biscuits, crackers58, buns, and flannel-cakes, and hats of gingerbread encountered in mid45 air in glorious exaltation, like some huge storm of mill-stones, or when it rains whole clouds of dogs and cats.
The frogs, astonished, thunderstruck, forgot their notes and music, that before had seemed so terrible, and drowned the cries of knight renown59, and mute in wonder heard the words of Whittington, pronouncing solemn:—"Goblins, chimeras dire, or frogs, or whatsoe'er enchantment60 thus presents in antique shape, attend and hear the words of peace; and thou, good herald61, read aloud the Riot Act!"
He ceased, and dismal62 was the tone that softly breathed from all the frogs in chorus, wh............