Abstract

The chronological and textual relationship between the version in prose and the versification of "La tierra de Alvargonzález" by Antonio Machado had aroused a heated debate. The version in prose, very detailed and full of extensive autobiographical references, was published in January 1912 in the «Mundial Magazine», the Parisian magazine directed by Rubén Darío. The romance was published partially in «La Lectura» (April 1912) and shortly after (June 1912) was included, with a substantial extension, in the first edition of the "Campos de Castilla". If all commentators agree that "Campos de Castilla" is an almost definitive point of arrival, with bitter discussions there was an attempt to prove that in the drafting phase the prose version should come from the first draft in verse. The analysis of little-known autographs definitely excludes such reckless hypothesis.