Oh, shun the tempting shore, the dangerous coast,
Youth, fame, and fortune, stranded here, are lost!"
J. S. S.
Bath.
Gesmas and Desmas (Vol. vii., pp. 238. 342.).—The names of the two thieves crucified with our blessed Saviour are variously written. In the verses quoted by A. B. R. (p. 238.) they are written Gesmas and Desmas. In the edition of the Gospel of Nicodemus, quoted by W. C. H. (p. 342.), i.e. the edition of "William Hone, Ludgate Hill, 1820," the names are written Gestas and Dimas. He also gives an authority for the spelling "Dismas and Gestas." I find them written in the edition I have of the Gospel of Nicodemus, i. e. "Hutman's, London, 1818," Dismas and Gesmas (pp. 87, 88.). Elsewhere I have met with them written as in the following verse, Gistas and Dismas:
"Gistas damnatur, Dismas ad astra levatur,"
which I have ventured to translate:
"Gistas to hell—with Dismas all goes well;"
or perhaps better thus:
"Gistas goes down, Dismas receives a crown."