Don Quixote

(Published at Madrid, by Francisco de Robles, January 1605)

"Para mí sola nació don Quixote, y yo para él."--CERVANTES.

Advents we greet of great and small; Much we extol that may not live; Yet to the new-born Type we give No care at all!

This year,--three centuries past,--by age More maimed than by LEPANTO'S fight,-- This year CERVANTES gave to light His matchless page,

Whence first outrode th' immortal Pair,-- The half-crazed Hero and his hind,-- To make sad laughter for mankind; And whence they fare

Throughout all Fiction still, where chance Allies Life's dulness with its dreams-- Allies what is, with what but seems,-- Fact and Romance:--

O Knight of fire and Squire of earth!-- O changing give-and-take between The aim too high, the aim too mean, I hail your birth,--

Three centuries past,--in sunburned SPAIN, And hang, on Time's PANTHEON wall, My votive tablet to recall That lasting gain!

Note:

I.e. January 1905.