He Struck up in Toledo with Some Germans and What Happened to Them
At this time I was prosperous and at the height of all good fortune.And because I always carried a good-sized pan full of some of the good fruit that is raised in this land as a sign of what I was announcing,I gathered so many friends and benefactors around me,both natives and foreigners,that wherever I went no door was closed to me.The people were so kind to me that I believe if I had killed a man then,or had found myself in difficult straits,everyone would have come to my side,and those benefactors would have given me every sort of aid and assistance.But I never left them with their mouths dry because I took them to the places where they could find the best of what I spread throughout the city.And there we lived the good life and had fine times together:we would often walk into a place on our own two feet and go out on the feet of other people.And the best part of it was that all this time Lazaro of Tormes didn't spend a damned cent,and his friends wouldn't let him spend anything.If I ever started to open my purse,pretending that I wanted to pay,they were offended,and they would look at me angrily and say,"Nite,nite,Asticot,lanz."They were scolding me,saying that when they were there no one would have to pay a cent.
I was,frankly,in love with those people.And not only because of that,but because whenever we got together they were always filling my pockets and my shirt full of ham and legs of mutton--cooked in those good wines--along with many spices and huge amounts of beef and bread.So in my house my wife and I always had enough for an entire week.With all this,I remembered the past times when I was hungry,and I praised God and gave thanks that things and times like those pass away.But,as the saying goes,all good things must come to an end.And that's how this turned out.Because they moved the great court,as they do now and then,and when they were leaving,those good friends of mine urged me to go with them,and they said they would give me their help.But I remembered the proverb:Better certain evil than doubtful good.
So I thanked my friends for their good wishes,and with a great deal of clapping on the shoulders and sadness,I said goodbye to them.And I know that if I hadn't been married I would never have left their company because they were the salt of the earth and the kind of people that were really to my liking.The life they lead is a pleasant one.They aren't conceited or presumptuous;they have no hesitation or dislike for going into any wine cellar,with their hats off if the wine deserves it.They are simple,honest people,and they always have so much that I hope God gives me no less when I'm really thirsty.
But the love I had for my wife and my land ("The land you are born in,..."as they say)held me back.So I stayed in this city,and although I was well known by the people who lived here,I missed the pleasure of my friends and the court.Still,I was happy,and even happier when my family line was extended by the birth of a beautiful little girl that my wife had then.And although I was a little suspicious,she swore to me that the child was mine.But then fortune thought it had forgotten me long enough,and it decided to show me its cruel,angry,harsh face once more and disturb these few years of good,peaceful living by bringing others of affliction and bitterness.Oh,almighty God!Who could write about such a terrible misfortune and such a disastrous fall without letting the inkwell rest and wiping his eyes with the quill?
LETTER OF DEDICATION TO THE MOST ILLUSTRIOUS PRINCESS HENRIETTE DE ROHAN
It is common among all writers to dedicate their works to someone who may shelter those works with their authority and defend them with their power.Having decided to bring to light the Second Part of the life of the great Lazaro of Tormes,a mirror and standard of Spanish sobriety,I have dedicated and do dedicate it to Your Excellency,whose authority and power may shelter this poor work (poor,since it treats of Lazaro)and to prevent its being torn apart and abused by biting,gossiping tongues which with their infernal wrath attempt to wound and stain the most sincere and simple wills.I confess my boldness in dedicating such a small work to such a great princess;but its sparseness brings its own excuse--which is the necessity for greater and more effective shelter--and the kindness of Your Excellency,the pardon.So I humbly beseech Your Excellency to take this small service,putting your eyes on the desire of him who offers it,
which is and will be to use my life and strength in your service.
Of whom I am a very humble servant,
J.DE LUNA
