FromthemomentthebookcameintohishandsheseemstohavebeenhauntedbythefearthattheremightbemoreAvellanedasinthefield, andputtingeverythingelseaside, hesethimselftofinishoffhistaskandprotectDonQuixoteintheonlywayhecould, ; butitis, atanyrate, aconclusionandforthatwemustthankAvellaneda.
ThenewvolumewasreadyforthepressinFebruary, butwasnotprintedtilltheveryendof1615, andduringtheintervalCervantesputtogetherthecomediesandinterludeshehadwrittenwithinthelastfewyears, and, asheaddsplaintively, foundnodemandforamongthemanagers, andpublishedthemwithapreface, worththebookitintroducestenfold, inwhichhegivesanaccountoftheearlySpanishstage, , however, wasnottosupposetheywerehislastwordorfinaleffortinthedrama, forhehadinhandacomedycalled "Enganoalosojos," aboutwhich, ifhemistooknot, therewouldbenoquestion.
Ofthisdramaticmasterpiecetheworldhasnoopportunityofjudging; hishealthhadbeenfailingforsometime, andhedied, apparentlyofdropsy, onthe23rdofApril, 1616, thedayonwhichEnglandlostShakespeare, nominallyatleast, , acceptinghislotbravelyandcheerfully.
