The present version of "The Purgatory of Saint Patrick" is, with the
exception of a few unimportant lines, an entirely new translation.
It is made with the utmost care, imitating all the measures and
contained, like the two preceding dramas, in the exact number of
lines of the original. One passage of the translation which I
published in 1853 is retained in the notes, as a tribute of respect
to the memory of the late John Rutter Chorley, it having been
mentioned with praise by that eminent Spanish scholar in an elaborate
review of my earlier translations from Calderon, which appeared in
the "Athenaeum", Nov. 19 and Nov. 26, 1853.
It only remains to add that the text I have followed is that of
Hartzenbusch in his edition of Calderon's Comedias, Madrid, 1856
("Biblioteca de Autores Espanoles"). His arrangement of the scenes
has been followed throughout, thus enabling the reader in a moment to
verify for himself the exactness of the translation by a reference to
the original, a crucial test which I rather invite than decline.
CLAPHAM PARK, Easter, 1873.
* * * * *
THE
PURGATORY OF ST. PATRICK.
TO
AUBREY DE VERE,
WHOSE
"LEGENDS OF ST. PATRICK"
ARE AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL OF ENGLISH POEMS,
THIS VERSION
OF THE CELEBRATED LEGEND OF ST. PATRICK'S PURGATORY,
AS TOLD BY CALDERON,
IS AFFECTIONATELY INSCRIBED BY
THE AUTHOR.
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