After a magnificent entry into the city, Sancho Panza was called upon to give judgment in certain teasing disputes, and this he did with such wit and such wholesome commonsense that he delighted all who heard him.  Well-pleased with himself, he sat down in a grand hall to a solitary banquet, with a physician standing by his side.  No sooner had Sancho tasted a dish than the physician touched it with a wand, and a page bore it swiftly away.  At first Sancho was confounded by this interference with his appetite, but presently he grew bold and expostulated; whereupon the physician said that his mission was to overlook the governor’s health, and to see that he ate nothing which was prejudicial to his physical well-being, since the happiness of the state depended upon the health of its governor.  Sancho bore it for some time, but at length, starting up, he bade the physician avaunt, saying, “By the sun’s light, I’ll get me a good cudgel, and beginning with your carcase, will so belabour all the physic-mongers in the island, that I will not leave one of the tribe.  Let me eat, or let them take their government again; for an office that will not afford a man his victuals is not worth two horse beans.”

At that moment there came a messenger from the duke, sweating, and with concern in his looks, who pulled a packet from his bosom and presented it to the governor.  This message from the duke was to warn Sancho that a furious enemy intended to attack his island, and that he must be on his guard.  “I have also the intelligence,” wrote the duke, “from faithful spies, that there are four men got into the town in disguise to murder you, your abilities being regarded as a great obstacle to the enemy’s design.  Take heed how you admit strangers to speak with you, and eat nothing that is laid before you.”

Sancho set out to inspect his defences; but with every step he took he was confronted by some problem of government on which he was called upon to adjudicate.  Harassed by these appeals, and half famished, our governor began to think that governorship was the sorriest trade on earth, and before a week was over he addressed to Don Quixote a letter, concluding, “Heaven preserve you from ill-minded enchanters, and send me safe and sound out of this government.”  One night he was awakened by the clanging of a great bell, and in came servants crying in affright that the enemy was approaching.  Sancho rose, and was adjured by his subjects to lead them forth against their terrible foes.  He asked for food, and declared that he knew nothing of arms.  They rebuked him, and bringing him shields and a lance, proceeded to tie him up so tightly with shields behind and shields before that he could scarcely move.  Then they bade him march, and lead on the army.  “March!” quoth he.  “These bonds stick so plaguey close that I cannot so much as bend my knees!” “For shame!” they answered.  “It is fear and not armour that stiffens your legs.”  Thus rebuked, Sancho endeavoured to move, but fell flat on the earth like a great tortoise; while in the darkness the others made a clash with their swords and shields, and trampled upon the prone governor, who quite gave himself up for dead.  But at break of day they raised a cry of “Victory!” and, lifting Sancho up, told him that their enemies were driven off.