The Journey to Parnassus. Composed by Miguel de Cervantes. Translated
into English Tercets by James G. Gibson. (Kegan Paul, Trench, and Co.)—Few English readers know the Journey to Parnassus but by name; and not all, it is probable, even by that. They cannot do better than make acquaintance with it in Mr. Gibson's pleasant translation. Of course most, if not all, the names will be unknown (though Mr. Gibson supplies information about them in the Notes). But then the personages that figure in the Dunciad are really unknown. Who ever read a line of Dennis or Cibber ? We shall give as a specimen of Mr. Gibson's verse a passage of more general interest :—
Returning to my tale : A countless race I saw go op and down that meadow green, With jocund clamour and with lightsome pace ; Some clad in homely dress of modish mien.
To which hypocrisy lent cunning show Of poverty. but neat withal and clean ; Others in colours which the day doth know. When on the fresh Aurora's locks of gold The earliest streak of light I egins to glow. The teeming Spring presents a wealth untold Of varied hues, and with such beauty graced The mind is charmed with what the eyes behold ;
There prodigality and wanton waste.
Holding athwart the plain high revelry, Make up in splendour what they lack in taste. Upon a throne exalted very high,
(Where Art ruled matter with a power confest,
Wrought though it was in gold and ivory) A maid I saw, in such adornments dressed, And eke in every part so wondrous bright.
The eye was ravished and the ear was blest.
She sat thereon with majesty bedight, In stature, as it seemed, a giantess.
Of fine proportions though of towering height ; With greater lustre shone her lovelieess When seen from far, for as we nearer draw Its power to fascin.de grows strangely less."
The Appendix, written in prose—a fine specimen of humour—is added ; and there are also annotations. We may point out the imitation of Pereius in the Epistle of Arbolanche (one of Cervantes' critics) :—
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" I never chatted on Parnassus' height, Nor ever drank the waters Cabaline."
"Nee fonta labra lui caballino, Nee in licipiti somniasse Parnaso Memini."
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