Note 7 — THE ADVENTURES OF THE LAST OF THE ABENCERRAGES VISCOUNT CHATEAUBRIAND
Reading edition
All the world knows the air of the Follies of Spain. This air had no words, at least none which expressed its grave, religious and chivalrous character. This character I have endeavoured to give in the romance of the Cid. This romance, having got into the hands of the public without my consent, some celebrated masters did me the honour to set it to music. But, as I had expressly composed it for the air of the Follies of Spain, one of the couplets becomes complete nonsense, unless, reference is had to my original intention.
My song shall be a nobler theme than thine, Ere long it will become the folly of Spain, etc.
In short, these three romances have little other merit than their adaptation to three old airs of undoubted nationality: besides this, they bring on the dénouement of the story.