The opening of the book introduces a spirited discourse on the identity of the poet Crisfal, arguing that this figure is merely a fictional construct rather than a distinct historical person, as previously believed. It discusses the author's motivation to challenge established literary narratives and the tensions with contemporary literary scholars, particularly Theóphilo Braga, who had asserted the existence of Crisfal as an authentic figure. The text showcases Guimarães' resolve to reclaim the legacy of Bernardim Ribeiro, promoting an understanding of how legends can overshadow factual literary history and emphasizing the need for rigorous historical inquiry in literary studies. (This is an automatically generated summary.)