Prologue

          I consider it fitting that affairs so notable, and by chance never rumored nor clear, might come to the notice of many, and be not interred in the tomb of forgetfulness; for it could be that some who read these lines may find something there pleasing to them and, to those who may not dig so deeply, some delight. And, to this purpose, Pliny¹said, "there isn't a book, however bad it may be, that doesn’t contain something of value." Chiefly, because tastes are not all the same, what one won’t consume, another goes to the dogs for; and thus we see that matters taken a dim view of by some, by others are not. And this, in order that nothing ought be broken up nor thrown out, unless it be very detestable; but that it ought to be communicated to all, it being harmless for the most part and some fruit being able to be drawn from it. Because if it were not so, very few would write for one’s self, since it is not done without effort, and they desire, after it is all done, to be recompensed, not with money, but with seeing and reading their works, and if anything is made of them, might boast. And with this in mind Cicero,²says: "Honor nourishes the arts."
     Who thinks the soldier who is first up on the siege ladder abhors living the most? By no means; it is the desire for glory that makes him put himself in danger. And so it is in the arts and letters. The ecclesiastical candidate preaches grandly and is one who wishes fervently for the benefit of souls; but they might ask his grace if it annoys him when they say "Oh, how marvelously have you done it your reverence!" Señor don So-and-So jousted wretchedly, yet gave the doublet with the coat of arms to the knave because he lionized him for having wielded very fine lances. What might he have done if it were the truth?

     And everything goes after this fashion: that confessing I am no more saint than my neighbors for this trifle I write in this rude style, it won’t vex me that they may take part and enjoy with the author all they may have found some pleasure in, and see there lives a man with so many tempests, dangers and adversities.
     I entreat Your Grace that you receive the poor service from the hand of he who might have done finer work if his power and desire would have resigned


	Prólogo Yo por bien tengo que cosas tan señaladas, y por ventura nunca oídas ni vistas, vengan a noticia de muchos, y no se entierren en la sepultura del olvido; pues podría ser que alguna que las lea halle algo que le agrade, y a los que no ahondaren tanto, los deleite. Y a este propósito dice Plinio¹ que «no hay libro, por malo que sea, que no tenga alguna cosa buena.» Mayormente que los gustos no son todos unos, mas lo que uno no come, otro se pierde por ello; y así vemos cosas tenidas en poco de algunos, que de otros no lo son. Y esto es para que ninguna cosa se debería romper, ni echar a mal, si muy detestable no fuese, sino que a todos se comunicase, mayormente siendo sin perjuicio y pudiendo sacar de ella algún fruto. Porque, si así no fuese, muy pocos escribirían para uno solo, pues no se hace sin trabajo, y quieren, ya que lo pasan, ser recompensados, no con dineros, mas con que vean y lean sus obras, y si hay de qué, se las alaben. Y a este propósito dice Tulio:²La honra cría las artes.» ¿Quién piensa que el soldado que es primero del escala, tiene más aborrecido del vivir? No por cierto; mas el deseo de alabanza le hace ponerse al peligro. Y así en las artes y letras es lo mismo. Predica muy bien el presentado, y es hombre que desea mucho el provecho de las ánimas; mas pregunten su merced si le pesa cuando le dicen: «¡Oh qué maravillosamente lo ha hecho vuestra reverencia!» Justó muy ruinmente el señor don Fulano, y dio el sayo de armas al truhán, porque le loaba de haber llevado muy buenas lanzas: ¿qué hiciera si fuera verdad? Y todo va de esta manera: que confesando yo no ser más santo que mis vecinos, de esta nonada, que en este grosero estilo escribo, no me pesará que hayan parte y se huelguen con ello todos los que en ella algún gusto hallaran, y vean que vive un hombre con tantas fortunas, peligros y adversidades. Suplico a Vuestra Merced reciba el pobre servicio de mano de quien lo hiciera más rico si su poder y deseo se conformaran. Y pues Vuestra		Prologue I consider it fitting that affairs so notable, and by chance never rumored nor clear, might come to the notice of many, and be not interred in the tomb of forgetfulness; for it could be that some who read these lines may find something there pleasing to them and, to those who may not dig so deeply, some delight. And, to this purpose, Pliny¹said, "there isn't a book, however bad it may be, that doesn’t contain something of value." Chiefly, because tastes are not all the same, what one won’t consume, another goes to the dogs for; and thus we see that matters taken a dim view of by some, by others are not. And this, in order that nothing ought be broken up nor thrown out, unless it be very detestable; but that it ought to be communicated to all, it being harmless for the most part and some fruit being able to be drawn from it. Because if it were not so, very few would write for one’s self, since it is not done without effort, and they desire, after it is all done, to be recompensed, not with money, but with seeing and reading their works, and if anything is made of them, might boast. And with this in mind Cicero,²says: "Honor nourishes the arts." Who thinks the soldier who is first up on the siege ladder abhors living the most? By no means; it is the desire for glory that makes him put himself in danger. And so it is in the arts and letters. The ecclesiastical candidate preaches grandly and is one who wishes fervently for the benefit of souls; but they might ask his grace if it annoys him when they say "Oh, how marvelously have you done it your reverence!" Señor don So-and-So jousted wretchedly, yet gave the doublet with the coat of arms to the knave because he lionized him for having wielded very fine lances. What might he have done if it were the truth? And everything goes after this fashion: that confessing I am no more saint than my neighbors for this trifle I write in this rude style, it won’t vex me that they may take part and enjoy with the author all they may have found some pleasure in, and see there lives a man with so many tempests, dangers and adversities. I entreat Your Grace that you receive the poor service from the hand of he who might have done finer work if his power and desire would have resigned