The second is more known. On the death of Philip II. in 1598, a magnificent catafalque was erected in the cathedral of Seville, "the most wonderful funereal monument," says a narrator of the ceremony, "which human eyes ever had the happiness of seeing." All Seville was in ecstasy, the catafalque was superb; it did honour to Spain; and they built the catafalque: could provincial town have better cause to strut and boast?[64] The Andalusians, also, are addicted to gasconading, and Cervantes could not resist the temptation of ridiculing both the monument and its vaunting erectors. In his "Voyage to Parnassus," Cervantes calls this sonnet "the chief honour of his writings." After such an announcement it is hold to attempt a translation. This sort of witty burlesque can never be transfused into another language, for its point consists rather in association of ideas, which only those on the spot can enter into, than, in witty allusions common to all the world. The conclusion of the epigram is to this day the delight of the Spaniards, who all know it by heart. The species of sonnet is named an _Estrumbote_, having three verses more than the proper fourteen. The following translation being tolerably literal, may serve to satisfy the curiosity of the English reader, though it cannot do justice to the composition itself. For the sake of the Spanish one, the original is inserted underneath. TO THE MONUMENT OF THE KING AT SEVILLE. "I vow to God, I quake with my surprise! Could I describe it, I would give a crown-- And who, that gazes on it in the town, But stands aghast to see its woodrous size: Each part a million cost, I should devise; What pity't is, ere centuries have flown, Old Time will mercilessly cast it down! Thou rival'st Rome, O Seville, in my eves! I bet, the soul of him who's dead and blest, To dwell within this sumptuous monument, Has left the seats of sempiternal rest!" A fellow tall, on deeds of valour bent, My exclamation heard, "Bravo!" he cried, "Sir Soldier, what you say is true, I vow, And he who says the contrary has lied!" With that, he pulls his hat upon his brow, Upon his sword's hilt he his hand does lay, And frowns--and--nothing does, but walks away.[65]