TOTHEDUKEOFBEJAR, MARQUISOFGIBRALEON, COUNTOFBENALCAZARANDBANARES, VICECOUNTOFTHEPUEBLADEALCOCER, MASTEROFTHETOWNSOFCAPILLA, CURIELANDBURGUILLOS
InbeliefofthegoodreceptionandhonoursthatYourExcellencybestowsonallsortofbooks, asprincesoinclinedtofavorgoodarts, chieflythosewhobytheirnoblenessdonotsubmittotheserviceandbriberyofthevulgar, IhavedeterminedbringingtolightTheIngeniousGentlemanDonQuixoteoflaMancha, inshelterofYourExcellency'sglamorousname, towhom, withtheobeisanceIowetosuchgrandeur, Ipraytoreceiveitagreeablyunderhisprotection, sothatinthisshadow, thoughdeprivedofthatpreciousornamentofeleganceanderuditionthatclothetheworkscomposedinthehousesofthosewhoknow, itdaresappearwithassuranceinthejudgmentofsomewho, trespassingtheboundsoftheirownignorance, 'sgoodcounselinregardtomyhonourablepurpose, willnotdisdainthelittlenessofsohumbleaservice.
MigueldeCervantes
