Alonso de Ercilla y ZÃ Ã iga ( August 7 , 1533 -- November 29 , 1594 ) , was a Spanish nobleman , soldier and epic poet . Alonso de Ercilla y ZÃ Ã iga ( August 7 , 1533 â `` November 29 , 1594 ) was a Spanish nobleman , soldier and epic poet from the Basque Country .