Samson Carrasco and the Book of Don Quixote — Don Quixote

Quixote waits for Samson Carrasco, unable to believe his deeds are already in print while enemy blood is still fresh on his sword. He fears a Moorish author may have treated Dulcinea indecently, yet comforts himself that a knight's history must be lofty and true.

Samson confirms the book, praises Cide Hamete Benengeli, and reports more than twelve thousand copies across Spain and abroad. They debate favourite adventures, Sancho's blanket toss, poet versus historian, and the misplaced novel The Ill-advised Curiosity. Quixote calls bad historians forgers and compares his history to Orbaneja's cock that needed a label.

Samson says the book pleases almost everyone: children, pages, and lords' antechambers cry "There goes Rocinante." Critics still complain of omitted drubbings, Dapple's thief, and Sancho's hundred crowns. Sancho leaves for wine and dinner; the bachelor stays, and talk of chivalry resumes after sleep.