ninety-seven in the Second Book alone. Now although it way be
granted that two men translating the same poem tend to use the
same expressions even in cases where the verse-form requires a dilu-
tion of the original, yet so large a number can scarcely be explained
upon the theory of coincidence. If we were but sure of our text, the
question might be considered answered. But the curious fact is
that the version of the Fourth Book, given by the unpublished
Hargrave MS., is clearly much more like the Douglas translation
than is the version given by Tottel. What this signifies is not very
clear. Apparently, after 1553, Surrey's work was edited with the
Douglas translation in mind. Therefore the case rests merely upon
the fact that there are similarities between the two versions,
whether due to Surrey or to another, and must rest there until more
data be given.

In comparing Surrey with Douglas, at least we have the ident-
ity of phrase to guide us; in the case of the Italian even that
help is withdrawn. In 1539 the Second Book appeared in Italian
in versi sciolti. ¹ Hippolito, the natural son of Giulano, had been
raised to the cardinalate in 1529. He gathered around him a
court of scholars as was the fashion, among whom was the writer
Molza. As the book professes to be by him, it must have been com-
posed before 1535, the year of his death, whether or not he actu-
ally wrote it. Later, others joined in translating separate books,
of which the Fourth is by Bartolomeo C. Picholomini. Surrey's
translation, then, if taken from the Italian, would be dependent
upon the work of two writers, and each book must be considered
separately. Dr. Fest feels that there is no doubt but that Book
Two is drawn from the Italian and Dr. Imelmann that at least the
Hargrave MS. version, the "older" version, shows equal depend-
ence upon Book Four. ² To prove his position each cites numerous
lines where both the Italian and the English agree in diluting the
original. For, since both translations are in verse, a certain
amount of dilution is inevitable. As it is stated, with the long ar-
ray of confirmatory passages, the conclusion seems inevitable. But

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