Cervantes smil'd Spain's chivalry away;
A single laugh demolish'd the right arm
Of his own country;–seldom since that day
Has Spain had heroes.

In these lines, Byron reflects on the transformative power of satire through Cervantes' "Don Quixote." By portraying the absurdity of outdated chivalric ideals, Cervantes did not merely entertain; he profoundly reshaped cultural values. Through humor, he exposed the impracticality and obsolescence of chivalry, symbolically described here as "the right arm of his own country." Byron suggests that this shift left a lasting impact on Spain, claiming it robbed the nation of its heroic spirit. "Has Spain had heroes" implies that since Cervantes' critique, the traditional concept of heroism has dwindled. Thus, Byron acknowledges the double-edged nature of Cervantes' work: while it liberated society from archaic notions, it also marked the end of an era defined by gallant deeds. Ultimately, Byron underscores the ability of literature to not only reflect but also redefine cultural and national identities.