Wherein Is Discovered Who Master Peter Was and His Ape; as Also Don Quixote's Ill Success in the Braying Adventure, Which Did Not End So Happily As He Desired and Expected.
Revealing that the puppeteer is Gines de Passamonte in disguise and with a new profession, the author tells somewhat of how the rogue earns his livelihood; in fact, the description is that of a classic Spanish picaro. Back to Don Quixote, the author tells of the battle that the brayers are awaiting. The assembled fighters greet Don Quixote, assuming he is a champion for their cause, and listen to his oration. The knight declares that men should go to war, not for small causes, but for large ones, such as the defense of the Catholic faith or the defense of Spain or the defense of one's good name. While he pauses, Sancho takes up the speech. It is a silly fancy, he says, to be ashamed of being able to bray. As a child, he himself was an excellent brayer. The foolish Sancho, then, opening his mouth, holding his nose, makes such a loud braying that the townsmen think he is mocking them. As they begin to collect stones, Don Quixote sensibly spurs Rosinante and gallops out of danger, but Sancho receives a good beating. After this, the villagers leave the field of battle, relieved that the opposing townsmen did not show up.
