One of the guardians a-horseback answered that they were slaves condemned by his Majesty to the galleys, and that there was no more to be said, nor ought Don Quixote to desire any further information.
'For all that,' replied Don Quixote very politely, 'I would fain learn from every one of them the cause of his disgrace.'
To this the guardian a-horseback answered: 'Although we carry here the register of the crimes of all these wretches, yet if you wish to do so, ask it from themselves; and no doubt they will tell you their stories, for they are men who take delight in boasting of their rascalities.'
With this permission, which Don Quixote would have taken for himself if they had not given it, he went up to the chain and asked of the first one for what sins he had found himself in such straits.
He answered that his offence was no other than for being in love.
'For that and no more?' cried Don Quixote; 'but if folk are sent there for being in love, I should have been pulling an oar there long ago.'
'My love was not of the kind your Worship imagines,' replied the galley slave, 'for mine was that I loved overmuch a basket stuffed with fine linen, which I embraced so lovingly, that if the law had not taken it from me by violence, I should not of my own free will have forsaken it till now. I was taken in the act and sent for three years to the galleys.'
Don Quixote now inquired of the second his cause of offence, but he answered him not a word, seeming too downcast and melancholy to speak.
But the first one spoke for him, and said: 'Sir, this man goes for being a Canary bird—I mean a musician or singer.'
'Is it possible,' said Don Quixote, 'that musicians and singers are sent to the galleys?'