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. PERSONS. * * * * * EGERIUS, King of Ireland. PATRICK. LUIS ENIUS. A GOOD ANGEL. A BAD ANGEL. PHILIP. LEOGAIRE. A CAPTAIN. POLONIA, Daughter of the King. LESBIA, her Sister. PAUL, a Peasant. LUCY, his Wife. Two Canons Regular. Two Peasants. An Old Countryman. A Muffled Figure. Attendants, Friars, and others. * * * * * The Scene passes in Ireland, in the Court of King Egerius, and other parts. THE PURGATORY OF SAINT PATRICK. * * * * * ACT THE FIRST. THE SEA-SHORE, WITH PRECIPITOUS CLIFFS. SCENE I. The King EGERIUS, clad in skins, LEOGAIRE, POLONIA, LESBIA, and a Captain. KING [furious]. Here let me die. Away! LEOGAIRE. Oh, stop, my lord! CAPTAIN. Consider . . . LESBIA. Listen . . . POLONIA. Stay . . . KING. Yes, from this rocky height, Nigh to the sun, that with one starry light Its rugged brow doth crown, Headlong among the salt waves leaping down Let him descend who so much pain perceives; There let him raging die who raging lives. LESBIA. Why wildly seekest thou the sea? POLONIA. Thou wert asleep, my lord; what could it be?