and from this all the others derive their birth and origin; so it seems to me that we ought inexorably to condemn it to the flames as the founder of so vile a sect.”
“Nay, sir,” said the barber, “I too, have heard say that this is the best of all the books of this kind that have been written, and so, as something singular in its line, it ought to be pardoned.”
“True,” said the curate; “and for that reason let its life be spared for the present. Let us see that other which is next to it.”
“It is,” said the barber, “the Sergas de Esplandián , the lawful son of Amadís of Gaul.”
“Then verily,” said the curate, “the merit of the father must not be put down to the account of the son. Take it, mistress housekeeper; open the window and fling it into the yard and lay the foundation of the pile for the bonfire we are to make.”
The housekeeper obeyed with great satisfaction, and the worthy Esplandián went flying into the yard to await with all patience the fire that was in store for him.
“Proceed,” said the curate.
“This that comes next,” said the barber, “is Amadís of Greece , and, indeed, I believe all those on this side are of the same Amadís lineage.”
“Then to the yard with the whole of them,” said the curate; “for to have the burning of Queen Pintiquiniestra, and the shepherd Darinel and his eclogues, and the bedevilled and involved discourses of his author, I would burn with them the father who begot me if he were going about in the guise of a knight-errant.”
“I am of the same mind,” said the barber.