But, so far from being (like its immediate predecessor in Lockhart’s book) an artistic performance, the _Julianesa_ ballad is one of the most primitive in the Gayferos group. Its robust inspiration is in striking contrast to the too dulcet _Song of the Galley_,[87] which is followed by _The Wandering Knight’s Song_, a capital version of a _romance_ famous all the world over owing to its quotation by Don Quixote at the inn:— Mis arreos son las armas, mi descanso es pelear.[88] We need say nothing of the _Serenade_,[89] _The Captive Knight and the Blackbird_,[90] _Valladolid_,[91] and _Dragut the Corsair_.[92] We should gladly exchange these translations of late and mediocre originals for versions of Fonte-frida, fonte-frida, fonte-frida y con amor;[93] or of one of the few but interesting ballads belonging to the Breton cycle, such as the old _romance_ on Lancelot from which Antonio de Nebrija quotes— Tres hijuelos habia el rey, tres hijuelos, que no mas;[94] or of the curious _romance_ glossed by Gil Vicente, Cristóbal de Castillejo, and Jorge de Montemôr— La bella mal maridada, de las lindas que yo ví;[95] or of the well-known ballad which seems to have strayed out of the series of _romances fronterizos_— Mi padre era de Ronda, y mi madre de Antequera.[96] Fortunately these have been translated by Gibson. But we must not part from Lockhart on bad terms, for he ends with the ballad of _Count Alarcos and the Infante Solisa_:— Retraída está la Infanta bien así como solía.[97] This _romance_, which is often ascribed to a certain Pedro de Riaño, is certainly not older than the sixteenth century, and is rather an artistic than a popular poem; but it is unquestionably an impressive composition remarkable for concentrated and pathetic beauty. Though I have far outrun my allotted time, I have merely brushed the fringe of the subject; still, perhaps enough has been said to stir your interest, and to set you reading the _Romancero_ under the sagacious guidance of Sr. Menéndez y Pelayo. That will occupy you for many a long day. To those who have not the time to read everything, but who wish to read the very best of the best, I cannot be wrong in recommending the exquisite selection of _romances_ published by M. Foulché-Delbosc a few months ago.[98] CHAPTER V THE LIFE OF CERVANTES