Sancho took out of his wallet his lint and ointment to cure his Master. But before he could use them Don Quixote saw that the visor of his helmet was broken, and he had like to have lost his senses. Setting his hand to his sword, he cried: 'I swear an oath to lead the life which was led by the great Marquis of Mantua when he swore to revenge the death of his nephew Baldwin, which was not to eat off a tablecloth, nor to comb his hair, nor to change his clothes, nor to quit his armour, and other things which, though I cannot now remember, I take as said, until I have had complete revenge on him that hath done this outrage.'

'Look, your Worship, Sir Don Quixote,' said Sancho, when he heard these strange words, 'you must note that if the Biscayan has done what you told him, and presented himself before my Lady Dulcinea of Toboso, then he has fully satisfied his debt, and deserves no other penalty unless he commits a new fault.'

'Thou hast spoken well and hit the mark truly,' answered Don Quixote; 'and, therefore, in respect of that, I set the oath aside. But I make it and confirm it again, that I will lead the life I have said, until I take by force another helmet as good as this from some other Knight.'

'Such oaths are but mischief,' said Sancho discontentedly, 'for tell me now, if by chance we do not come across a man armed with a helmet, what are we to do? Do but consider that armed men travel not these roads, but only carriers and waggoners, who not only wear no helmets, but never heard them named all the days of their life.'

'Thou art mistaken in this,' said Don Quixote, 'for we shall not have been here two hours before we shall see more Knights than went up against Albraca to win Angelica the Fair.'

'So be it,' said Sancho, 'and may all turn out well for us, that the time may come for the winning of that Island which is costing me so dear.'

'Have no fear for thine Island, Sancho Panza,' said Don Quixote; 'and now look if thou hast aught to eat in thy wallet, for soon we should go in search of some Castle where we may lodge the night and make the Balsam of which I have spoken, for in truth this ear of mine pains me greatly.'

'I have got here an onion and a bit of cheese and a few crusts of bread, but such coarse food is not fit for so valiant a Knight as your Worship.'

'How little dost thou understand the matter,' replied Don Quixote, 'for it is an honour to Knights Errant not to eat more than once a month, and if by chance they should eat, to eat only of that which is next at hand! And all this thou mightest have known hadst thou read as many books as I have done. For though I studied many, yet did I never find that Knights Errant did ever eat but by mere chance, or at some costly banquets that were made for them. And the remainder of their days they lived on herbs and roots. Therefore, friend Sancho, let not that trouble thee which is my pleasure, for to a Knight Errant that which comes is good.'