Viaje del Parnaso (trans. Journey to Parnassus) (Biblioteca Nacional de España) [202]

Miguel de Cervantes was a magnificent poet and devoted much of his life to poetry. And this book (trans. Journey to Parnassus), written at a crucial time in his life when he aspired to become a member of the literary academy of the Count of Lemos in Naples, is a good example. It is full of irony, as illustrated by the “privileges, warnings and decrees” with which it ends:
The first is, that any poets may be known, as well as by the untidiness of their persons, as by the fame of their verses.
Item, that if any poet should affirm that he is poor, he shall forthwith be believed on his simple word, without other oath or affidavit whatsoever.

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