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I mean； the attraction of the moon and planets： Because the arch was of so great a height； and in some parts so elongated from the earth； as in a great measure to diminish in its gravitation to the centre of our globe； or rather； seemed more easily operated upon by the attraction of the planets： So that the stones of the arch； one would think； at certain times； were ready to fall /up/ to the moon； and at other times to fall down to the earth。 But as the former was more to be dreaded； I secured stability to the fabric by a very curious contrivance： I ordered the architects to get the heads of some hundred numbskulls and blockheads； and fix them to the interior surface of the arch； at certain intervals； all the whole length； by which means the arch was held together firm； and its inclination to the earth eternally established； because of all the things in the world； the skulls of these kind of animals have a strange facility of tending to the centre of the earth。
The building being completed； I caused an inscription to be engraved in the most magnificent style upon the summit of the arch； in letters so great and luminous； that all vessels sailing to the East or West Indies might read them distinct in the heavens； like the motto of Constantine。
KARDOL BAGARLAN KAI TON FARINGO SARGAI RA MO PASHROL VATINEAC CAL COLNITOS RO NA FILNAT AGASTRA SA DINGANNAL FANO。
That is to say； 〃As long as this arch and bond of union shall exist； so long shall the people be happy。 Nor can all the power of the world affect them； unless the moon； advancing from her usual sphere； should so much attract the skulls as to cause a sudden elevation； on which the whole will fall into the most horrible confusion。〃
An easy intercourse being thus established between Great Britain and the centre of Africa； numbers travelled continually to and from both countries； and at my request mail coaches were ordered to run on the bridge between both empires。 After some time； having settled the government to my satisfaction； I requested permission to resign； as a great cabal had been excited against me in England； I therefore received my letters of recall； and prepared to return to Old England。
In fine； I set out upon my journey； covered with applause and general admiration。 I proceeded with the same retinue that I had before Sphinx； Gog and Magog； &c。； and advanced along the bridge； lined on each side with rows of trees； adorned with festoons of various flowers； and illuminated with coloured lights。 We advanced at a great rate along the bridge； which was so very extensive that we could scarcely perceive the ascent； but proceeded insensibly until we arrived on the centre of the arch。 The view from thence was glorious beyond conception； 'twas divine to look down on the kingdoms and seas and islands under us。 Africa seemed in general of a tawny brownish colour； burned up by the sun： Spain seemed more inclining to a yellow； on account of some fields of corn scattered over the kingdom； France appeared more inclining to a bright straw…colour； intermixed with green； and England appeared covered with the most beautiful verdure。 I admired the appearance of the Baltic Sea； which evidently seemed to have been introduced between those countries by the sudden splitting of the land； and that originally Sweden was united to the western coast of Denmark； in short； the whole interstice of the Gulf of Finland had no being； until these countries； by mutual consent； separated from one another。 Such were my philosophical meditations as I advanced； when I observed a man in armour with a tremendous spear or lance； and mounted upon a steed； advancing against me。 I soon discovered by a telescope that it could be no other than Don Quixote； and promised myself much amusement in the rencounter。
CHAPTER XXIX
/The Baron's retinue is opposed in a heroic style by Don Quixote； who in his turn is attacked by Gog and MagogLord Whittington； with the Lord Mayor's show； comes to the assistance of Don Quixote Gog and Magog assail his LordshipLord Whittington makes a speech； and deludes Gog and Magog to his partyA 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 purp