TothebookofDonQuixoteoflaMancha
Iftobewelcomedbythegood,
OBook! thoumakethysteadyaim,
Noemptychattererwilldare
Toquestionordisputethyclaim.
Butifperchancethouhastamind
Towinofidiotsapprobation,
Lostlabourwillbethyreward,
Thoughthey'llpretendappreciation.
Theysayagoodlyshadehefinds
Whoshelters 'neathagoodlytree;
Andsuchaonethykindlystar
InBejarbathprovidedthee:
Aroyaltreewhosespreadingboughs
Ashowofprincelyfruitdisplay;
AtreethatbearsanobleDuke,
TheAlexanderofhisday.
OfaManchegangentleman
Thypurposeistotellthestory,
Relatinghowhelosthiswits
O'eridletalesofloveandglory,
Of "ladies, arms, andcavaliers:"
AnewOrlandoFurioso-
Innamorato, rather—who
WonDulcineadelToboso.
Putnovainemblemsonthyshield;
Allfigures—thatisbraggingplay.
Amodestdedicationmake,
Andgivenoscofferroomtosay,
"What! AlvarodeLunahere?
OrisitHannibalagain?
OrdoesKingFrancisatMadrid
Oncemoreofdestinycomplain?"
SinceHeavenithathnotpleasedonthee
Deeperuditiontobestow,
OrblackLatino'sgiftoftongues,
NoLatinletthypagesshow.
Apenotphilosophyorwit,
Lestonewhocannotcomprehend,
Makeawryfaceattheeandask,
