Dedication to the Count of Lemos

Whether or not it is now August in the garden of my limited wit, the fruits that it might offer, in whatever season, belong to Your Excellency, to whom I offer the harvest of these Plays and Interludes, which, in my opinion, are not so lacking in flavour that they cannot provide some pleasure. If they have any virtue it is that they have neither been pawed over nor performed, thanks to the actors, who, being of the utmost intelligence, only concern themselves with great works and important authors, although perhaps they are mistaken about that. Don Quijote de la Mancha has put his spurs on, in his Second Part, in order to go and kiss Your Excellency’s feet. He will arrive complaining, because in Tarragona they hounded and mistreated him, although, in any case, he bears information that it is not he who is the subject of that story, but an imposter, who tried to impersonate him but did succeed. Then the great Persiles will come, followed by Weeks in the Garden and the second Part of Galatea, if my old shoulders can bear such a burden, and then and always the evidence of the desire that I have to serve Your Excellency, as my true master and firm and true protector, whose person etc.,

Your Excellency’s servant, Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra