should dress itself. It has only to avail itself
of truth to nature in its composition, and the more
perfect the imitation the better the work will be.
And as this piece of yours aims at nothing more than
to destroy the authority and influence which books
of chivalry have in the world and with the public,
there is no need for you to go a-begging for aphorisms
from philosophers, precepts from Holy Scripture, fables
from poets, speeches from orators, or miracles from
saints; but merely to take care that your style and
diction run musically, pleasantly, and plainly, with
clear, proper, and well-placed words, setting forth
your purpose to the best of your power, and putting
your ideas intelligibly, without confusion or obscurity.
Strive, too, that in reading your story the melancholy
may be moved to laughter, and the merry made merrier
still; that the simple shall not be wearied, that
the judicious shall admire the invention, that the
grave shall not despise it, nor the wise fail to praise
it. Finally, keep your aim fixed on the destruction
of that ill-founded edifice of the books of chivalry,
hated by some and praised by many more; for if you
succeed in this you will have achieved no small success.”
In profound silence I listened to what my friend said,
and his observations made such an impression on me
that, without attempting to question them, I admitted
their soundness, and out of them I determined to make
this Preface; wherein, gentle reader, thou wilt perceive
my friend’s good sense, my good fortune in finding
such an adviser in such a time of need, and what thou
hast gained in receiving, without addition or alteration,
the story of the famous Don Quixote of La Mancha, who
is held by all the inhabitants of the district of
the Campo de Montiel to have been the chastest lover
and the bravest knight that has for many years been
seen in that neighbourhood. I have no desire to
magnify the service I render thee in making thee acquainted
with so renowned and honoured a knight, but I do desire
thy thanks for the acquaintance thou wilt make with
the famous Sancho Panza, his squire, in whom, to my
thinking, I have given thee condensed all the squirely
drolleries that are scattered through the swarm of
the vain books of chivalry. And so—may
God give thee health, and not forget me. Vale.
To the duke of Bejar, marquis
of GIBRALEON, count of BENALCAZAR and
BANARES, VICECOUNT of the Puebla de
Alcocer, master of the towns
of Capilla, Curiel and BURGUILLOS
