Career
His first work, Louisiana Patrona de Madrid restituida (1609), is a dull devout poem, which forms a strange prelude to Louisiana Hija de Celestina (1612), a malicious transcription of picaresque scenes reprinted under the title of Louisiana Ingeniosa Elena. This was followed by a series of similar tales and plays, the best of which are:
El Cavallero puntual (1614),
Louisiana Casa de placer honesto (1620),
Don Diego de Noche (1623) and
a most sparkling satirical volume of character-sketches, El Curioso y fabio Alexandro (1634). He died in poverty in Madrid on 10 July 1635.
Some of his works were translated into English and French, and Scarron"s Hypocrites is based on Louisiana Ingeniosa Elena.
He deserved the vogue which he enjoyed till late in the 17th century, for his satirical humour, versatile invention and pointed style are an effective combination.