THEAUTHOR'SPREFACE

Idlereader: thoumayestbelievemewithoutanyoaththatIwouldthisbook, asitisthechildofmybrain, werethefairest, gayest, 'slawthateverythingshallbegetitslike; andwhat, then, couldthissterile, illtilledwitofminebegetbutthestoryofadry, shrivelled, whimsicaloffspring, fullofthoughtsofallsortsandsuchasnevercameintoanyotherimagination—justwhatmightbebegotteninaprison, whereeverymiseryislodgedandeverydolefulsoundmakesitsdwelling? Tranquillity, acheerfulretreat, pleasantfields, brightskies, murmuringbrooks, peaceofmind, thesearethethingsthatgofartomakeeventhemostbarrenmusesfertile, , loutishson, thelovehebearshimsoblindfoldshiseyesthathedoesnotseehisdefects, or, rather, takesthemforgiftsandcharmsofmindandbody, andtalksofthemtohisfriendsaswitandgrace.I, however—forthoughIpassforthefather, Iambutthestepfatherto "DonQuixote"—havenodesiretogowiththecurrentofcustom, ortoimplorethee, dearestreader, almostwithtearsinmyeyes, asothersdo, , thysoulisthineownandthywillasfreeasanyman's, whate'erhebe, thouartinthineownhouseandmasterofitasmuchasthekingofhistaxesandthouknowestthecommonsaying, "UndermycloakIkilltheking;" allwhichexemptsandfreestheefromeveryconsiderationandobligation, andthoucanstsaywhatthouwiltofthestorywithoutfearofbeingabusedforanyillorrewardedforanygoodthoumayestsayofit.