“All I know, sirs,” replied the page, “is that I am a real ambassador, and that Señor Sancho Panza is governor as a matter of fact, and that my lord and lady the duke and duchess can give, and have given him this same government, and that I have heard the said Sancho Panza bears himself very stoutly therein; whether there be any enchantment in all this or not, it is for your worships to settle between you; for that’s all I know by the oath I swear, and that is by the life of my parents whom I have still alive, and love dearly.”

“It may be so,” said the bachelor; “but dubitat Augustinus .”

“Doubt who will,” said the page; “what I have told you is the truth, and that will always rise above falsehood as oil above water; 856 if not operibus credite, et non verbis . Let one of you come with me, and he will see with his eyes what he does not believe with his ears.”