10 FEBRUARY 1894, Page 26

Dante's Divine Comedy : The Inferno. A version in the

nine-line metre of Spenser. Ry George Musgrave. (Swan Sonnenschein and Co.)—There can be no doubt that Mr. Musgrave has handled this very difficult metre with great success. The versification is of uncommon excellence. The reader may take as an example the following :— " This, as firm ground, we crost. Then with those shadows,

Seven gatea I past, and in a little space Stood in the green of never-fading meadows; Where, with the port of high-commanding grace,

And slow, grave eyes, stept a majestic race,

Whose words were few, but all of sweetest sound.

Then we, apart retiring, sought a place That lay in light, a low and open mound Which o'er the Tranquil Place gave prospect far around.

And then to me, full on the enamelled green, Were shown such mighty spirits as I grew Greater within me only to have seen! I saw Electra; of her retinue

Were Hector and Aneas—both I knew— With Omar fully armed and falcon-eyed. Penthesilea and Camelia too,

With King Latinus also I espied.

Who with Lavinia sate, but on the other side."