Count Lucanor | Page 3

he may have drawn considerably from such sources in some of his narratives.
Considering the general character of the literature of those times, "Count Lucanor" is singularly free from grossness. There is not, indeed, one instance of intentional impurity in the whole book; so that it may safely be placed in the hands of children without x fear of contamination. If there be any likeness to the Decameron, it is rather in the medi?|val abandon and simplicity of both the narrators than in their subjects; for there is, as we say, no trace in Don Manuel of the licentiousness of his more famous Italian contemporary.
It has been the translator's aim to preserve, as much as possible, all the characteristic features of the original. While avoiding archaic words, which would render the book distasteful and difficult to the general reader, he has purposely chosen a somewhat antique style, to correspond as far as might be with the author's. The most laborious, and, perhaps, the least satisfactory portion of this task has been his endeavour to render the couplets which wind up the tales by corresponding English couplets, without departing too widely from the original, or adhering to it so closely as to be stilted.
The notes appended to each chapter consist principally of historical and literary illustrations necessary to the complete understanding of the tales themselves, which, from their antiquity, may easily be supposed to contain many allusions to events and to persons now grown somewhat obscure. In some of these the translator has been considerably indebted to the researches of M. Adolphe de Puibusque, whose French version of "Count Lucanor" was published in 1854.**
The advantages of fabular or allegorical teaching are too well understood to need any comment. Don Manuel, however, enjoys the distinction of being fee from the cynicism and covert sarcasm which mar the instructiveness of too many writers of this class. he has been able to paint vice and folly in their true colours, without degrading human nature to point a clever epigram. For that satire only is wise and good which has in it an undercurrent of tenderness and pity fro those foibles which the satirist himself shares, more or less, with his fellow-men.
We trust that "Count Lucanor" may be accepted by the English reader as a genuine, if rugged piece of ore from that rich mine of early Spanish literature which yet lies hidden and unwrought.
London, 1868.
PROLOGUE
AMONGST the many strange things that our Lord God made, He thought good to make one very marvellous. That is, that of the numberless men who are in the world, there is not one who altogether resembles another in face. All men's features, indeed, are made up of the same parts, but these parts are not the same in one as in another. And since in the features, which take up so small a place, there is to be found so great a variety, it is less to be wondered at that there should be a difference in the mind and will of men, and that you should find no man in these respects altogether like another. And I will give you a few examples that you may better understand this.
Men, who seek and desire to serve God, all seek one thing, but they do not all serve Him in the same manner; for some serve Him in one way, others in another. Or again, those who serve their lords, all serve them, but all do not serve them in one and the same manner.
Again, those who labour in the fields, or rear stock, or manufacture, or hunt, have all different methods of doing the same thing. From these and many other examples, too long to relate, you will understand that, although all men possess will, mind, and feelings alike, little as they resemble each other in features, still less do they in these other qualities: where self-interest is the stimulant; so, if you wish to convey your knowledge to another, endeavour to convince him that it is for his own interest. And as many men do not understand subtle or abstract matters, hence it is that they derive no pleasure from books, or writings, which treat only of such subjects; and consequently can never appreciate or understand them. And therefore I, Don Juan, son of the Infant Don Manuel, Governor of the frontiers and kingdom of Murcia, composed this book, using therein the choicest expressions I could find; introducing also many examples which may benefit those who hear them; and this I did following the example of the physicians, who, in their treatment of the liver, mix with their medicines sugar, honey, or something to make them more agreeable.* So is it when any other member of the body is affected, each requires its own proper remedy; and this rule