Matias De Los Reyes. Don Christoval Lozano. Luis Veliz De Guavara. Isidro De Robles. Alonzo Del Castillo Salorzano

Matias De Los Reyes. Matias De Los Reyes, Madrid-born writer who flourished around 1624, presents 'The Dumb Lover and His Physician', a tale set in Italy and Ferrara. In Montcaller, near Turin, the widow Finea has hidden her virtue and shunned suitors until Lelio, a famed knight, becomes passionately in love. Lelio falls ill with lovesickness; his ally, Lelio's friend, a knight from Espoleto, hatches a scheme to win Finea’s favor: a traveling pedlar is used to bring Lelio to a secret interview, and Lelio swears to uphold a vow of silence for three years. Finea’s test includes dramatic ruses and a 'cure' by a female physician; a duke rewards Lelio for his acts and grants him the right to marry Finea after a test of virtue and loyalty. The tale blends satire, romance, and moral instruction; Reyes's elegant style and keen social observation are evident as the lovers navigate love, pride, and power in this early modern setting.