Ah sir! - the son of Synovica will say; - You order the calm souls for these books to be burned as well as others, because while my lord's uncle heals from a knight's illness, it would not be a wonder that if he hesitated to those books, a lunar desire to go to the shepherds and move on the forests and meadows playing and singing; Or, worse, to become a poet, which is, as they say, an incurable and transitional disease.
In this excerpt from Cervantes' "Don Quijote of La Mancha," the character expresses concern about the potential consequences of burning certain books. He suggests that such an action may influence his lord's uncle, who is recovering from an illness, sparking whimsical thoughts or dreams of pastoral life, dancing, and possibly becoming a poet. This reflects a notion that literature can awaken deep emotional responses and desires that a rational mind might normally suppress.
The mention of poetry as an "incurable and transitional disease" highlights the transformative and sometimes troublesome nature of artistic inspiration. It suggests that engaging with creative works can lead one away from conventional thinking and into a realm filled with imagination and longing, demonstrating the powerful impact of literature on the human psyche and its ability to inspire profound changes in one's life.