The Legend of California

Las Sergas de Esplandián
Dates back at least to 1510.
This Amadís de Gaula sequel
Seemingly was more than equal
In its popularity,
At least in Spain from what I see.
Chivalric romance then was big.
Today, we hardly give a fig,
Except that Don Quixote named
A bunch of titles to be shamed,
Including this. Regardless, now
The novel’s left its mark as how
A certain place name came to be:
Hernán Cortés had yet to see
But heard of an alleged isle
(A flub that stayed a little while)
Approximately where the book
Had mentioned one, and thus he took
The cue to call the land the same,
Explaining California’s name.