eleven o'clock
To which Don Quixote returned , `` Do me the favour , senora , to let a lute be placed in my chamber to-night ; and I will comfort this poor maiden to the best of my power ; for in the early stages of love a prompt disillusion is an approved remedy ; '' and with this he retired , so as not to be remarked by any who might see him there . He had scarcely withdrawn when Altisidora , recovering from her swoon , said to her companion , `` The lute must be left , for no doubt Don Quixote intends to give us some music ; and being his it will not be bad . '' They went at once to inform the duchess of what was going on , and of the lute Don Quixote asked for , and she , delighted beyond measure , plotted with the duke and her two damsels to play him a trick that should be amusing but harmless ; and in high glee they waited for night , which came quickly as the day had come ; and as for the day , the duke and duchess spent it in charming conversation with Don Quixote . When eleven o'clock came , Don Quixote found a guitar in his chamber ; he tried it , opened the window , and perceived that some persons were walking in the garden ; and having passed his fingers over the frets of the guitar and tuned it as well as he could , he spat and cleared his chest , and then with a voice a little hoarse but full-toned , he sang the following ballad , which he had himself that day composed : Mighty Love the hearts of maidens Doth unsettle and perplex , And the instrument he uses Most of all is idleness . Sewing , stitching , any labour , Having always work to do , To the poison Love instilleth Is the antidote most sure . And to proper-minded maidens Who desire the matron 's name Modesty 's a marriage portion , Modesty their highest praise . Men of prudence and discretion , Courtiers gay and gallant knights , With the wanton damsels dally , But the modest take to wife .