DEDICATED BY CERVANTES,

TO HIS EXCELLENCY DON JOSEPH MONIÑO, COUNT OF FLORIDA BLANCA, KNIGHT OF THE GRAND CROSS OF THE ROYAL ORDER OF K. CHARLES III.

MOST EXCELLENT SIR,

I submit to your Excellency the "Six Books of the Galatea," the earliest production of the wisdom of Miguel de Cervantes, divided into two parts. Also another work which contains the famous "Voyage of Parnassus," to which I have annexed the "Tragedy of Numantia, and the Comedy of the Trades of Argel," which two works have never before been printed. These three books are of the same size and form as the "Labours of Persiles and Sigismunda, and the Novels," which I had also the honour to present to your Excellence, and shortly will follow the "History of Don Quixote," to complete the edition.

I trust the urbanity of your Excellence will graciously accept this small offering, which your much obliged and grateful Servant consecrates to you,

ANTONIO DE SANCHA.

DEDICATION

TO THE ILLUSTRIOUS SEÑOR ASCANIO COLONA, ABBOT OF SANTA SOFIA.

THE courtesy of your Worship has been such towards me that it has removed the apprehension which I might have reasonably entertained in presuming to offer to you these the first fruits of my narrow wit.

nrict reflecting that your Worship not only came to Spain o iluminate her foremost Universities, but to be the polestar to all, that they might walk in the path of whatsoever science they profess (especially the poetic profession), I was desirous not to lose this guide, for I am conscious that in it, and by it, I shall find a secure harbour and a favourable reception.

Acquiesce then in my desire which I send before me, and may you accord to me some consideration in this my minute service. But should I not deserve it for this, grant it to me for having followed during several years the victorious standards of that sun of the army, whom heaven yesterday removed from our sight, but not from the memory of those who have endeavoured to retain it in all those things so worthy of it, viz., the excellent member of the Society of Jesus. Superadding to this the effect which certain things caused in my mind, as in prophecy I have heard often said of this member of the Jesuits to Cardinal Aquaviva, having been his chamberlain in Rome, which things I now find not only accomplished, but that all the world are enjoying the virtue, Christianity, magnificence and benevolence of that man whose works gave daily proof from what a worthy stock he was derived, which for ancestral remoteness competes with the origin of Rome's greatness and its magnates, whilst in worth and in deeds of heroism the same identity is recognised in a yet loftier career.

All this do numberless histories verify, replete with acts. of honour, deducible from the trunk and branches of the royal house of Colona, under whose strength and character I place myself for a shield against those murmurers whose property is never to pardon.

Therefore, if your Worship forgive this assurance, I have no other fear or wish but that the Lord may guard your illustrious presence with an increment of dignity and position, which all we your adherents desire.

Illustrious Sir, I kiss your hand, and am your ever faithful servant,

MIGUEL DE CERVANTES SAAVEDRA.

THE COMMISSION.

By order of the Lords of the Royal Council, I have seen this work, entitled "The Six Books of Galatea ;" and my opinion is, that it may be printed, being a loving treatise, and of a lively fancy, without affecting any one in either its verse or prose.

Indeed it is a composition of much value, for its style is chaste and the romance a neat invention, divested of all impropriety or aught adverse to morality. Hence may we assign to the Author the premium of his toil, which is in his application for this license, which we confer.

Done at Madrid, 1 Feb. 1634.

TO CURIOUS READERS.

THE Occupation of writing eclogues at a time when poetry is so forsaken I suspect will not be estimed for a so laudable exercise, but that it will be indispensable to give some especial satisfaction to those who follow the different tastes of natural inclination; for they who are of a different persuasion rate this employment as little less than labour lost and time also.

Yet as it behoves no one to try to satisfy wits who are enshrouded in such narrow limits, I would feign reply to those who exempt from passion, but on a surer foundation, are induced to acknowledge no difference in poetry, in the belief that those who in this age treat of it, publish their works without due consideration, borne away by the power which the passion for these compositions alone is accustomed to excite in their authors.

For myself, I can truly allege what predilection I have entertained for poetry, for when I was scarce emancipated from my youthful shackles, I gave way to these identical pursuits, so that I cannot deny but that the studies of this faculty (in bygone times with reason well appreciated) carry with them more than a moderate share of profit, such as

nriching the poet relatively to his mother tongue, and so to rule over the artifices of eloquence therein comprised, with a view to higher aims and of more serious import; to open the way by the imitation of him, that narrow souls who in brevity of language seek that the fertility of the Castilian dialect should accomplish all, may understand that there is an open field, easy, spacious, whereby with facility and sweetness, with gravity and eloquence they may move with freedom, showing the diversity of acute conceptions, weighty yet elevated, which, in the richness of the Spanish genius, the favourable influence of heaven has with such effect, in various parts, produced, and is producing hourly in this our happy age, of which I bear sure testimony, and that some I know who with justice, and despite the bashfulness which accompanies me, might in security pass through a so dangerous career.

Still are human difficulties so common and yet so different, and the aim and acting so various, that some, with a desire for glory, venture, while others, through dread of disgrace, dare not publish that, which once committed to the world, must encounter the judgment of it, dangerous and most times deceptive.

I, not because I think it reasonable that I may be trusted, have given proof of boldness in the publication of this book, but because I would not determine of two evils which was the greater; or he who with levity, desiring to impart the talent which he has early received from heaven, ventures to offer the fruit of his intelligence to his friends and country; or he who quite scrupulous, lazy and late, never satisfied with what he does or understands, holds only for an accomplishment that which he never attains, and never determines on publishing his works or communicating anything, so that as the boldness and confidence of one may be condemned for a licentious excess, which is granted with safety, so the suspicion and tardiness of another is vicious, for either late or never does he benefit by the fruit of his genius and study those who hope and desire his aid and corresponding example to the end that they may make advances in his exercises.

Avoiding these two dilemmas, I have not published anything before this work, nor did I wish to lock it up, my

understanding having wrought it out for a higher end than mere personal satisfaction.

I know well that what is wont to be condemned is that excess in the matter of style which appertains to it; the very prince of Latin poetry was blamed for making some of his eclogues more elevated than others.

Hence I have no fear that I shall be criticised because some philosophical reasons are interspersed with certain amorous arguments of shepherds, who rarely rise in discourse beyond country affairs, and this, too, with a congenial simplicity. Yet noting (as in this work is found) that many of the disguised shepherds are so only in attire, this objection is cleared.

The remaining objections must be placed to the account of the invention and disposition of the piece, and these are palliated, for it is a prudent motion, and it is the author's wish to be pleasant, and having done so in this particular and to the best of his power, he may have been successful.

Yet if this section of the work does not realise his most earnest wish, he offers henceforward others of better taste and of a wider range of wit.