Chapter XIII: Humorous Romances of Spain
Cervantes, the bold metal of thy lance
Shatters the crystal turrets of Romance;
Down falls the wreck in ruin most immense
Upon the dreary plains of common sense.
L. S.
About This Book
This study surveys Spanish medieval and popular romances, tracing their sources from the cantares de gesta and the Poema del Cid through the chivalric novels exemplified by Amadis de Gaul and its numerous sequels, Palmerin cycles, and Catalan material. It examines legendary strands such as Roderic and Moorish romances, collects and analyzes romanceros or ballads, and treats tales of magic, sorcery, and humorous romance. The author discusses the relative weight of historical events versus folklore, proposes a classification of ballads, and offers translations and summaries of important texts. The volume also includes illustrations and a bibliography to guide further study.