SOME COMMENDATORY VERSES


URGANDA THE UNKNOWN

To the book of Don Quixote of la Mancha

  If to be welcomed by the good,
      O Book! thou make thy steady aim,
  No empty chatterer will dare
      To question or dispute thy claim.
  But if perchance thou hast a mind
      To win of idiots approbation,
  Lost labour will be thy reward,
      Though they'll pretend appreciation.

  They say a goodly shade he finds
      Who shelters 'neath a goodly tree;
  And such a one thy kindly star
      In Bejar bath provided thee:
  A royal tree whose spreading boughs
      A show of princely fruit display;
  A tree that bears a noble Duke,
      The Alexander of his day.

  Of a Manchegan gentleman
      Thy purpose is to tell the story,
  Relating how he lost his wits
      O'er idle tales of love and glory,
  Of "ladies, arms, and cavaliers:"
      A new Orlando Furioso-
  Innamorato, rather- who
      Won Dulcinea del Toboso.

  Put no vain emblems on thy shield;
      All figures- that is bragging play.
  A modest dedication make,
      And give no scoffer room to say,
  "What! Alvaro de Luna here?
      Or is it Hannibal again?
  Or does King Francis at Madrid
      Once more of destiny complain?"

  Since Heaven it hath not pleased on thee
      Deep erudition to bestow,
  Or black Latino's gift of tongues,
      No Latin let thy pages show.
  Ape not philosophy or wit,
      Lest one who cannot comprehend,
  Make a wry face at thee and ask,
      "Why offer flowers to me, my friend?"

  Be not a meddler; no affair
      Of thine the life thy neighbours lead:
  Be prudent; oft the random jest
      Recoils upon the jester's head.
  Thy constant labour let it be
      To earn thyself an honest name,
  For fooleries preserved in print
      Are perpetuity of shame.

  A further counsel bear in mind:
      If that thy roof be made of glass,
  It shows small wit to pick up stones
      To pelt the people as they pass.
  Win the attention of the wise,
      And give the thinker food for thought;
  Whoso indites frivolities,
      Will but by simpletons be sought.