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a knight; but I do want you to thank me for allowing you to make the acquaintance of the famous Sancho Panza, his squire, in whom, in my opinion, I have summarized for you all the squirely wit and charm scattered throughout the great mass of inane books of chivalry. And having said this, may God grant you health and not forget me. Vale.16

TO THE BOOK OF DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA

URGANDA THE UNRECOGNIZED16

If to reach goodly read-

oh book, you proceed with cau-,

you cannot, by the fool-,

be called a stumbling nin-.

But if you are too impa

and pull the loaf untime-

from the fire and go careen-

into the hands of the dim

you’ll see them lost and puzz-

though they long to appear learn-.

And since experience teach-

that ’neath a tree that’s stur

the shade is the most shelt

in Béjar your star so luck-

unto you a royal tree off-,

its fruit most noble prin-;

there a generous duke does flow-,

like a second Alexand-:

seek out his shade, for bold-

is favored by Dame Fort-.17

You will recount the advent-

of a gentleman from La Manch-

whose idle reading of nov-

caused him to lose his reas-:

fair maidens, arms, and chiv

spurred him to imita

of Orlando Furio-,18

exemplar of knightly lov-;

by feats of his arm so might-

he won the lady of Tobo-.

Do not inscribe indiscre

on your shield, or hieroglyph-;

for when your hand lacks face-

with deuces and treys you wag-.

Be humble in your dedica

and you will hear no deri-;

“What? Don Alvaro de la Lu-,19

and great Hannibal of Carth-,

and in Spain, King Francis-

all lamenting his misfor-!”

Since it’s not the will of hea

for you to be quite as cle

as Juan Latin the Afri-,20

avoid Latin words and phra-.

Don’t pretend to erudi-,

or make claims to philo-;

when you commence the fak

and twist your mouth in decep-

those who are truly the

learn-will call your tricks into ques-.

Don’t mind the business of oth-,

and don’t engage in gos-;

it’s a sign of utmost wis-:

ignore the faults of your broth-.

Those who speak much too glib

often fail in their inten-;

your only goal and ambi-

should be a good reputa-;

the writer who stoops to fol-

gains nothing but constant cen-.

Be careful: it is impru

if your walls are made of crys

to pick up stones and peb

and throw them at your neigh-.

Let the mature man of reas

in the works that he compo-

place his feet with circumspec-;

if his writing’s too lightheart-,

meant for young girls’ sheer amuse-,

he writes only for the sim-.

AMADÍS OF GAUL 21 TO DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA

A Sonnet

You, who mimicked the tearful life of woe

that I, in isolation, scorned by love,

led on the lofty heights of Peña Pobre,22

when all my joy did shrink to penitence,

you, to whom your eyes did give to drink

abundant waters, though briny with salt tears,

and, removing for your sake its min’ral wealth,

earth did give of the earth for you to eat,

be certain that for all eternity,

as long, at least, as golden-haired Apollo

drives steeds across the fourth celestial sphere,

you will enjoy renown as a valiant knight;

your kingdom will be first among all realms;

and your wise chronicler, unique on earth.

DON BELIANÍS OF GREECE23 TO DON QUIXOTE OF LA MANCHA

A Sonnet

I bruised, and fought, and cut, and said, and did

more than any knight errant who e’er lived;

I was deft, I was valiant, I was proud;

I avenged a thousand wrongs and righted more.

To Lady Fame I gave eternal deeds;

I was a lover courtly and discreet;

to me great giants were no more than dwarves,

and I answered every challenge with a duel.

I had Dame Fortune prostrate at my feet;

my prudence seized on Chance and never failed

to turn her to me, pulling with both hands.

And yet, though my good fortunes ever soared

as high as the hornéd moon that sails the sky,

I envy, O Quixote, your great feats!

LADY ORIANA24 TO DULCINEA OF TOBOSO

A Sonnet

Oh, if only, beauteous Dulcinea,

for greater ease and peace I had my castle,

Miraflores, in Toboso; could change

its London for the comforts of your town!

Oh, if only your desire and your dress