Note 42 — Chapter III · (continued 2)
Reading edition
“And now, my slender pen, whether cunningly cut, or unskilfully shaped, it boots not much; here, from this rack, wire-suspended, shalt thou enjoy repose to future ages, if no presumptuous and wicked hand shall take thee down, and profane thee by compiling false and idle histories.”—“The Achievements of the Sage and Valiant Don Quixote de la Mancha,” book iii., ch. XXII. Smollet’s translation.