Samson Carrasco Unmasked and Don Gregorio's Return — Don Quixote

Don Antonio follows the Knight of the White Moon to a city hostel until he reveals himself as the bachelor Samson Carrasco, who once fought Quixote as the Knight of the Mirrors to bind him home for a year and cure his craze but was vanquished until today's beach combat succeeded. He begs Don Antonio not to betray him, while Don Antonio replies that Don Quixote's sanity can never equal the enjoyment his crazes give and privately wishes he may never be cured.

Samson rides away, the viceroy hears and is displeased, and Quixote keeps his bed six days dejected while Sancho quotes proverbs. Don Antonio brings news that Don Gregorio and the renegade have come ashore; Quixote laments that he who must not take up arms for a year should handle the distaff rather than boast of Barbary rescues. Gregorio reunites with Ana Felix in silent love, the renegade is reconciled with the Church, and Ricote rewards the rescue while they plan Ana Felix's stay in Spain despite Ricote's praise of Don Bernardino de Velasco's Morisco policy. Tearful partings follow as Don Antonio and Gregorio leave for the capital, Ana Felix stays with Don Antonio's wife, and Quixote and Sancho take the road at last without armour, Sancho on foot and Dapple loaded.