The "Voyage to Parnassus" has the inherent Spanish defect of length, otherwise it has great merit: the ridicule is playful--the machinery poetic--the story well adapted for burlesque. There had been a poem, written on the subject of a voyage to Parnassus, by Cezare Caporali--an Italian of Perugia. Cervantes begins his poem by mentioning the return of the Italian, and how he, who ever desired to deserve the name of poet, resolved to follow his example. In playful derision of his poverty, he describes his departure: a piece of bread and a cheese in his wallet, were all his provision--"light to carry, and useful for the voyage and then he bids adieu to his lowly roof--"Adieu to Madrid--adieu to its fountains, which distil ambrosia and nectar--to its prado--to its society--to the abodes of pleasure and deceit." He arrives at Carthagena, and sees Mercury, who invites him to embark on board a boat, and to come to assist in the defence of Parnassus, which had been attacked by a host of poetasters. The skiff is fancifully described:-- And lo! of verses framed, the bark,[73] From the maintop to water mark, Without a word of prose betwixt; The upper decks were glosses mix'd-- A hodge-podge badly put together, Ill-married all with one another:-- And of romances form'd, the crew, A daring people glad to do The wildest acts, however fierce. The poop was made of other verse: 'Twas form'd of sonnets, each one rare, Written all with the nicest care. Two tercets, bold as muse could write, The gunnels framed from left to right, And gave free scope unto the oar. The gangway's length was measured o'er By elegies most sad and long, More apt for tears than gladsome song. The mast that rose unto the sky An ode embodied, long and dry, Tarr'd o'er with songs of dreary length, So to ensure its weight and strength. And all the yards that ran across Were burthens harsh--you're at no loss Their hard material to find: The parrel creaking to the wind, Of redondillas gay and free; So that more easy it might be. The ropes and tackle--rigging all-- Of seguidillas light and small, Each twined with fancies gay and fickle, The which the soul are apt to tickle; The thwarts, of stanzas staunch and strong, Planks to support a world of song; While the pennants, flying lightly, Love songs framed so gay and sprightly. Sestinas grave, and blank verse ready, Shaped the keel both sharp and steady; That like a duck the bark might swim, And o'er the waters lightly skim.