Sancho Panza takes a memorable pull from a companion’s proffered wineskin (“bota”) in this scene from part 2 of “Don Quijote.”

Y diciendo esto, se la puso en las manos a Sancho, el cual, empinándola, puesta a la boca, estuvo mirando las estrellas un cuarto de hora, y en acabando de beber, dejó caer la cabeza a un lado, y dando un gran suspiro, dijo: — ¡Oh hideputa, bellaco, y cómo es católico!

And so saying, he placed it [the wineskin] in Sancho’s hands, who, raising it, pressed to his mouth, was gazing at stars for a quarter hour, and when finished drinking let fall his head to one side, and giving a great sigh said, “Son-of-a-bitching bastard, that’s a catholic one!”
(JMN)

Footnoting “catholic,” editor Martín de Riquer laconically prints “superior.” As a poke at human foibles and well of laughter this novel keeps on giving.

(c) 2021 JMN — EthicalDative. All rights reserved