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+====== TRAVELS OF BARON MUNCHAUSEN ======
+===== CHAPTER XXIX =====
+//The Baron's retinue 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 assail his Lordship--Lord Whittington makes a
+speech, and deludes Gog and Magog to his party--A general scene of
+uproar and battle among the company, until the Baron, with great
+presence of mind, appeases the tumult.//
+"What art thou?" exclaimed Don Quixote on his potent steed. "Who art
+thou? Speak! or, by the eternal vengeance of mine arm, thy whole
+machinery shall perish at sound of this my trumpet!"
+Astonished at so rude a salutation, the great Sphinx stopped short,
+and bridling up herself, drew in her head, like a snail when it
+touches something that it does not like: the bulls set up a horrid
+bellowing, 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 extremity 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 spikes shooting from it like the rays of a star; with this
+weapon he prepared to encounter, and advancing thus he spoke:--
+"Audacious wight! that thus, in complete steel arrayed, doth dare to
+venture cross my way, to stop the great Munchausen. Know then, proud
+knight, that thou shalt instant perish 'neath my potent arm."
+When Quixote, Mancha's knight, responded firm:--
+"Gigantic monster! leader of witches, crickets, and chimeras dire!
+know thou, that here before yon azure heaven the cause of truth, of
+valour, and of faith right pure shall ordeal counter try it!"
+Thus he spoke, and brandishing his mighty spear, would instant
+prodigies sublime perform, had not some wight placed 'neath the tail
+of dark Rosinante furze all thorny base; at which, quadrupedanting,
+plunged 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 assailed the knight on every side. In vain he
+roared, and invoked fair Dulcinea del Toboso: for frogs' wild croaking
+seemed more loud, more sonorous than all his invocations. And thus in
+battle vile the knight was overcome, and spawn all swarmed upon his
+glittering helmet.
+"Detested miscreants!" roared the knight; "avaunt! Enchanters dire and
+goblins could alone this arduous task perform; to rout the knight of
+Mancha, foul defeat, and war, even such as ne'er was known before.
+Then hear, O del Toboso! hear my vows, that thus in anguish of my soul
+I urge, midst frogs, Gridalbin, Hecaton, Kai, Talon, and the Rove!
+[for such the names and definitions of their qualities, their separate
+powers.] For Merlin plumed their airy flight, and then in watery
+moonbeam dyed his rod eccentric. At the touch ten thousand frogs,
+strange metamorphosed, croaked even thus: And here they come, on high
+behest, to vilify the knight that erst defended famed virginity, and
+matrons all bewronged, and pilgrims hoar, and courteous guise of all!
+But the age of chivalry 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 forth, armour 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 gilded
+nice, was brandished awful. At a word, ten thousand thousand Naples
+biscuits, crackers, buns, and flannel-cakes, and hats of gingerbread
+encountered in mid 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
+renown, and mute in wonder heard the words of Whittington, pronouncing
+solemn:--"Goblins, chimeras dire, or frogs, or whatsoe'er enchantment
+thus presents in antique shape, attend and hear the words of peace;
+and thou, good herald, read aloud the Riot Act!"
+He ceased, and dismal was the tone that softly breathed from all the
+frogs in chorus, who quick had petrified with fright, unless redoubted
+Gog and Magog, both with poles, high topped with airy bladders by a
+string dependent, had not stormed against his lordship. Ever and anon
+the bladders, loud resounding on his chaps, proclaimed their fury
+against all potent law, coercive mayoralty; when he, submissive, thus
+in cunning guile addressed the knights assailant:--"Gog, Magog,
+renowned and famous! what, my sons, shall you assail your father,
+friend, and chief confessed? Shall you, thus armed with bladders vile,
+attack my title, eminence, and pomp sublime? Subside, vile discord,
+and again return to your true 'legiance. Think, my friends, how oft
+your gorgeous pouch I've crammed, all calapash, green fat, and
+calapee. Remember how you've feasted, stood inert for ages, until size
+immense you've gained. And think, how different is the service of
+Munchausen, where you o'er seas, cold, briny, float along the tide,
+eternal toiling like to slaves of Algiers and Tripoli. And ev'n on
+high, balloon like, through the heavens have journeyed late, upon a
+rainbow or some awful bridge stretched eminent, as if on earth he had
+not work sufficient to distress your potent servitudes, but he should
+also seek in heaven dire cause of labour! Recollect, my friends, even
+why or wherefore should you thus assail your lawful magistrate, or why
+desert his livery? or for what or wherefore serve this German Lord
+Munchausen, who for all your labour shall alone bestow some fudge and
+heroic blows in war? Then cease, and thus in amity return to
+friendship aldermanic, bungy, brown, and sober."
+Ceased he then, right worshipful, when both the warring champions
+instant stemmed their battle, and in sign of peace and unity
+returning, 'neath their feet reclined their weapons. Sudden at a
+signal either stamped his foot sinistrine, and the loud report of
+bursten bladder stunned each ear surrounding, like the roar of thunder
+from on high convulsing heaven and earth.
+'Twas now upon the saddle once again the knight of Mancha rose, and in
+his hand far balancing his lance, full tilt against the troops of
+bulls opposing run. And thou, shrill Crillitrilkril, than whom no
+cricket e'er on hob of rural cottage, or chimney black, more gladsome
+turned his merry note, e'en thou didst perish, shrieking gave the
+ghost in empty air, the sport of every wind; for e'en that heart so
+jocund and so gay was pierced, harsh spitted by the lance of Mancha,
+while undaunted thou didst sit between the horns that crowned
+Mowmowsky. And now Whittington advanced, 'midst armour antique and the
+powers Magog and Gog, and with his rod enchanting touched the head of
+every frog, long mute and thunderstruck, at which, in universal chorus
+and salute, they sung blithe jocund, and amain advanced rebellious
+'gainst my troop.
+While Sphinx, though great, gigantic, seemed instinctive base and
+cowardly, and at the sight of storming gingerbread, and powers, Magog
+and Gog, and Quixote, all against her, started fierce, o'erturning
+boat, balloons, and all; loud roared the bulls, hideous, and the crash
+of wheels, and chaos of confusion drear, resounded far from earth to
+heaven. And still more fierce in charge the great Lord Whittington,
+from poke of ermine his famed Grimalkin took. She screamed, and harsh
+attacked my bulls confounded; lightning-like she darted, and from half
+the troop their eyes devouring tore. Nor could the riders, crickets
+throned sublime, escape from rage, from fury less averse than cannons
+murder o'er the stormy sea. The great Mowmowsky roared amain and
+plunged in anguish, shunning every dart of fire-eyed fierce Grimalkin.
+Dire the rage of warfare and contending crickets, Quixote and great
+Magog; when Whittington advancing--"Good, my friends and warriors,
+headlong on the foe bear down impetuous." He spoke, and waving high
+the mighty rod, tipped wonderful each bull, at which more fierce the
+creatures bellowed, while enchantment drear devoured their vitals. And
+all had gone to wreck in more than mortal strife, unless, like Neptune
+orient from the stormy deep, I rose, e'en towering o'er the ruins of
+my fighting troops. Serene and calm I stood, and gazed around
+undaunted; nor did aught oppose against my foes impetuous. But sudden
+from chariot purses plentiful of fudge poured forth, and scattered it
+amain o'er all the crowd contending. As when old Catherine or the
+careful Joan doth scatter to the chickens bits of bread and crumbs
+fragmented, while rejoiced they gobble fast the proffered scraps in
+general plenty and fraternal peace, and "hush," she cries, "hush!
+hush!"
+----
+Go to [[CHAPTER XXX]]