[2340]. el consejo de Castilla: the Consejo de la Real Cámara or Cámara de Castilla was an outgrowth of the reorganized Consejo Real of Ferdinand and Isabella. It was established in 1588 by Philip II, who required that its members be persons chosen for their prudence, piety, and zeal. Its principal functions were to look after the royal revenues, to fill ecclesiastical benefices, and to administer justice in Castile, Navarre, and the Canary Islands.—For this action by the Consejo cf. Historical Introduction.
[2346]. Fuenterrabía: the siege by the French began in July, 1638. The town was supplied with provisions by sea from San Sebastian until a fleet commanded by the archbishop of Bordeaux put an end to this source of supplies with heavy loss to the Spaniards. Meanwhile a force was being prepared to attack the French in their camp. The attack was successful and the rout of the French was complete.
[2395]. del Corpus: Corpus Christi, the day upon which the institution of the Holy Eucharist is commemorated. It is observed in Roman Catholic countries with great pomp and ceremony.
[2511]. Lo: not the paper, but, as line 2513 shows, the proposition that the paper should go in.
[2547]. Al fin me estrellé en la roca: 'at last I have met my fate.' Quevedo had always affected scorn for women. Sanz ignores the fact of Quevedo's marriage.
[2565]. ¿quién?...: the full form of the question is 'which will prove the stronger?'
[2647]. It was a breach of etiquette for Quevedo to be seated without permission in the presence of Olivares.
[2658]. ya no quitáis ni ponéis: this is a reminiscence of Bertrand du Guesclin's "Ni quito ni pongo rey, pero ayudo a mi señor." Du Guesclin with his White Companies came to the aid of Enrique de Trastamara in the latter's rebellion against his half-brother Pedro el Cruel. Pedro, besieged in the castle of Montiel, tried to save himself from Enrique by making terms with Du Guesclin, but he was betrayed into the presence of Enrique. In the struggle that necessarily ensued the two brothers fell to the ground locked in each other's arms. Things were going badly for Enrique when Du Guesclin interfered to give Enrique a chance to dispatch Pedro with his dagger (1369).
[2693]. la carta de Urías: in order to have greater opportunity to indulge his passion for Bathsheba, King David sent her husband Uriah to the siege of Rabbah, and at the same time sent a letter giving orders that Uriah be stationed in the place of greatest danger. Cf. II Samuel xii.
[2714]. postrer: we should expect postrera before a feminine noun, but the meter demands postrer.