"I myself, at any rate," said the canon, "was once tempted to write a book of chivalry in which all the points I have mentioned were to be observed; and if I must own the truth I have more than a hundred sheets written; and to try if it came up to my own opinion of it, I showed them to persons who were fond of this kind of reading, to learned and intelligent men as well as to ignorant people who cared for nothing but the pleasure of listening to nonsense, and from all I obtained flattering approval; nevertheless I proceeded no farther with it, as well because it seemed to me an occupation inconsistent with my profession, as because I perceived that the fools are more numerous than the wise; and, though it is better to be praised by the wise few than applauded by the foolish many, I have no mind to submit myself to the stupid judgment of the silly public, to whom the reading of such books falls for the most part.
-Yo, a lo menos -replicó el canónigo-, he tenido cierta tentación de hacer un libro de caballerías, guardando en él todos los puntos que he significado; y si he de confesar la verdad, tengo escritas más de cien hojas. Y para hacer la experiencia de si correspondían a mi estimación, las he comunicado con hombres apasionados desta leyenda, dotos y discretos, y con otros ignorantes, que sólo atienden al gusto de oír disparates, y de todos he hallado una agradable aprobación; pero, con todo esto, no he proseguido adelante, así por parecerme que hago cosa ajena de mi profesión, como por ver que es más el número de los simples que de los prudentes; y que, puesto que es mejor ser loado de los pocos sabios que burlado de los muchos necios, no quiero sujetarme al confuso juicio del desvanecido vulgo, a quien por la mayor parte toca leer semejantes libros.