1613

THE COMICAL HISTORY OF RINCON AND CORTADO

by Miguel de Cervantes

The Comical History of Rincon and Cortado

AT a certain inn, near the end of those large and fertile plains of Alcadia, as we go from Castile to Andalusia, in one of the hottest days in summer, there chanced to meet together two boys, about fourteen or fifteen years of age, neither of them could exceed seventeen, both of a good countenance, but in a very ragged and shabby condition; they had no cloaks on, their breeches were of linen, their stockings were such as nature gave; they were indeed something better shod, for one of them had a pair of shoes made of rushes, though it is true, they were none of the best, and those of the other had a multiplicity of holes in them, and the soles quite worn away; one of them had on a green cap like a huntsman; the other an old hat without a hatband, low in the crown, and broad enough in the brims for an umbrello; shirts they had none, for they had but half a one betwixt them, or, in other words, one of them had a piece of a shirt, which just covered his shoulders and breast, and that was so black, that one would have sworn it had not been washed since the days of Noah; as for the other, he had none at all, nor any pockets, but he seemed to have a little bundle in his bosom, which (as it afterwards appeared) contained nothing but a neckband or two, which had no need of being starched, for they were starched enough with grease; there were carefully wrapt up in them, some cards of an oval figure, the corners of them being worn out by frequent use; they were both of them sun-burnt, their nails as long as eagle's claws, and their hands not very clean; one of them had an old dagger by his side, and the other a yellow-handled knife, such as is used by butchers; they both went out to cool themselves in the porch before the inn, and sitting down fronting each other, the eldest said to the youngest, Pray young gentleman, what is your country, and whither are you bound? My country, replied the youngest, I do not know, neither do I know which way I am travelling. Why, truly, said the elder, I do not suppose your worship came from heaven, neither is this a place for you to take up your abode in; and therefore you will be obliged to go farther. It is very true, answered the youngest; but I told you true in what I said, because the place I was born in, is not mine, nor have I any thing more there, than a father that does not own me, and a mother-in-law, who indeed treats me like a son-in-law, and the road where I travel, is where fortune leads, and where I find any body that will give me what is necessary to pass through this miserable life; there will be the end of my journey. And pray, Sir, said the eldest, Was you brought up to any business? The other replied, I know none, but that I can run as fast as a hare, and leap like a deer, and handle a pair of scissars admirably well. All this is very good and profitable, said the eldest, because some sexton or another will give you the All-Saints offering, if you can cut him out the paper flowers for the monuments on Holy Thursday. You mistake me, Sir, replied the youngest, my calling is not of that kind; but that as my father, by the goodness of heaven, was a taylor and hosier, he learnt me to cut out buskins, which are, as you well know, a sort of stockings without feet; and truly, I might long before now have been a master taylor, had not my niggardly fortune thrust me up in a corner. All these things, said the eldest, I reckon of worth, and I have always heard say, that the greatest genius's lie most concealed; however, you are still young enough to mend your fortune; but, if I am not deceived, you have yet greater abilities, which you do not care to discover. That I have, said the youngest, but they are not for every one to know, as you have well observed. To which the eldest replied, But I can assure you, I am one of the secretest young men that you will find in many miles, and to oblige you to discover your greatest secrets, I will tell you mine first; for I imagine there is some mystery in our coming together after this manner; and it is my belief, we shall remain true friends to each other, as long as we live. I, Sir, was born in Fuenfrida, a well-known place, and very famous for the great number of travellers, which are continually passing through it: My name is Pedro del Rincon, my father is a gentleman, for he is a minister of the holy crusade; that is, he is one who publishes the Pope's bulls; for some time I assisted him in this office, and learned it so well, that I would not turn my back on any body in the business. But one day taking a greater affection to the money arising from the profits of the bulls, than to the bulls themselves, I laid hold of a bag, and made the best of my way with it to Madrid, where with the many opportunities I had of spending my money, I soon drew out the very intrails of my bag.