,,l^'», 'j^ ■'*' wrc THE LIBRARY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LOS ANGELES FREDERIC THOMAS BLANCHARD ENDOWMENT FUND TRANSLATIONS FROM AUTHORS IN DIFFERENT LANGUAGES. BY THE REV. WILLIAM COLLIER, SENIOR FELLOW OF TRINITY COLLEGE, CAMBRIDGE. VOL. XL QQOO 0099C C30C3 74 LONDON: phinted by w. ruffy, leadenhall street, and sold by messrs. cadell and davies, strand; and mr. robson, bond street. 1800. ;;aTU INDEX TO THE SECOND VOLUME. l^HARACTERS of Latlii Pocts, With Tranflations of Paffages felefted from each; viz. Virgil, Statius ; Ovid, Lucan ; Claudian, Seneca ; Lu- cretius, Anti-Lucretius ; ------- page 2 — 67 Tranflations from L'Art d'Aimer of the two Ber- nards, ------------- 71—148 Tranflation of a Greek Sapphic Ode on the Deli- very of Gibraltar, --------- 14^ Fragments from De Porcheres and St. Evremont, 154, 155 Extrafts from the Works of LeMoyne, - - - 157—174 Extrafts from Le Bonheur d^Helvece, - - - - 175 — 185 Unexpefted Fear, ---------- 185 To a Nightingale, from Roufleau the Poet, - - 1 86 Tranflations from the Greek Anthologia, - - - 188 — 192 From Colardeau, ---------- 192 From Dorat, ------_-.-- ipj — 208 Tranflations from Nonnus, ------- 209—214 From a Greek Ode of Maddifon, ----- 215 Sonnet from De Porcheres, with Original, - - 218 From the French, ---------- 220 From Bertaud on the Death of Ron fard, - - - 222 From Dante; the Francefca, and the Ugolino, - 224 — 237 From Marino, ----------- 238 — 247 Sonnets from Marino, with Originals, - - - - 248—269 Other Extrafls from Marino, -.--.- 270 — 279 Sonnets 764325 ( iv ) Sonnets from Petrarch, with Heads, but without Originals, --------- - page 280 — 285 Sonnet from Taffo, ----_--_- 286 . from Defportes, -------- 287 ■ from Petrocchi, -------- 288 . from Bertaud, on Henry IV. of France, - 289 from Girolamo Preti, -.-_-_ 290 Sonnet from Boffuet, on the Canticles, - - - - 291 from the Italian, unknown, ----- 293 Two Sonnets from Metaftafio, ------ 294 — 297 Two Sonnets from Carlo Maggi, ----- 298, 299 Sonnet from Lemene, ----- - .- - - 500 ■ - ■ from Felice Orii, --_.,_- 302 »■ from Zappi, --------- 304. ■ from Lope de Vega, ------ 306 From Metaftafio ; Songs of Pleafure and of Virtue, with Triumphal Song, -------- 308 — 312 Degrees of Contemplation, ------- 313 From Gray, * O tu feveri.' ------- 314 Ideal World, from the Dialogues of J. J, Roufleau, 316 — 328 Sonnet from Rouffeau, --------- 329 From the fame -------.-.- 330 Pojifcript. CHARACTERS LATIN POETS WITH TRANSLATIONS OF PASSAGES SELECTED FROM EACH. VOL. II. ( 2 •) CHARACTER. VIRGIL. I N VirgiFs verfe the brighteft beauties iliine, And temper'd judgment guides the whole defign; Difcretion rules the pulfes of the heart, And Nature moves the graceful Child of Art ; Secure from want, he ftill avoids excefs, Nor flrikes us more leaft he Ihould pleafe us lefs : Through Albion's vales, where golden harvells gleam, The Thames thus rolls his beneficial ftream : Now on his banks the flocks fecurely ftray, Nor dread the rage of his incroaching fway ; In peaceful ftate he now Augufta laves, Whofe facred domes and fpires adorn his waves ; While the calm mirror, with appointed tide, Reflects uubrokeu their majeftic pride. CHA- ( 3 ) CHARACTER. STATIUS. In Statius, thought with boundlefs vigour glows, Whene'er his theme difplays immeafur'd woes ; Or whether, rous'd by menacing alarms, His ihrill-ton'd trumpet wakes the din of arms, Ungovern'd rage his lab'ring brealt infpires, And his Mufe burns with all Belloua's fires : Thus where the mighty lakes contract their Hiores, An hoft of waters the St. Lawrence pours ; Down the abyfs of Niagara's ftecp In lucid arch the tyrant torrents fwecp ; With rapid ruin urge their boiflrous courfe, And diftant whirlpools feel their eddying force ; No more our ears the tumult can endure, And clouds of foam the mid-day fun obfcure. TRANS- ( 4 ) TRANSLATIONS. VIRGIL. BOOK VI. Search not, my fon, the forrows of thy race. Their mighty forrows ; him to earth the Fates. Shall but prefent in tranfitory glance, Not grant his longer refidence : too great Had feem'd, ye gods ! the progeny of Rome, Had he been theirs unqueftion'd : from the field Of Mars, what groans of heroes will refound Rome's walls afcending ! what fepulchral rites Shalt thou behold, O Tiber ! as thy ftreams O natoe, ingentem lii(5lum ne quxre tuorum : Oftendent terris hiinc tantum fata, nee ultra EflTe finent. nimium vobis Romana propago Vifa potens, fiiperi, propria haec fi dona fuiffent, Qi^antos ille virum magnam Mavortis ad urbem Campus aget gemitus ! vel quae, Tiberine, videbis Funera, cum turaulum praete)rla,b6re recentem! Glide ( 5 ) Glide by his recent tomb ! Fronj Ilium's ftock To fuch fair hope no branch Ihall ever raife The Latian fathers, nor of fuch a youth The land of Romulus again iliall boaft. Alas ! what duteous love, what honor ! flrid As faith of antient ages ! with an arm In war invincible ! With rafli attempt The foe in arms had fac'd him, when on foot He led th' embattled fquadrons, or with fpur The flanks he goaded of his foaming Heed. Ah much to be lamented youth ! if thou — If thou canft burft through Fate's rude barriers— Thou Shalt be Marcellus.-— With unfparing hand Nee puer Iliaca quifquam de gentc Latinos Jn tantum fpe toilet avos : nee Romula quondam Ullo fe tantum tellus jadlabit alumno. Heu pietas, heu prifca fides, inviftaque bello Dcxtera! non illi fe quifquam impune tuliflet Obvius amiato, feu cum pedes iret in hoftem, Seu fpumantis equi foderct calcaribus armos. Heu, miferande puer! fi qua fata afpera rumpas, Tu Marcellus eris. manibus dat? lilia plenis j Here ( 6 ) Here iliow'r your lilies : I inyfelf will flrow The blooming flow'rs, and with this fruitlefs gift Thus venerate at leaft my kindred fhade. STAT lU S. BOOK HI. This way dired thy fight : amid the depth Of yon blue vault, innumerable fwans Their files have flation'd; whether from the North, And Thracian Strymon, by rude Boreas driv'n, Or from the banks o' th' placid Nile they come, Purpureos i^argam flores, animamque nepotis His faltem adcumulem donis, & fungar inaui Munere. Hue adverte animum. clara regione profundi iEtheris, innumeri ftatuerunt agmina cygni. Sive hos Strymonia Boreas ejecit ab Ar£lo, Seu foecunda refert placidi dementia Nili. Their ( 7 ) Their courfe is clos'd : deem thou that fymbol Thebes ; Por filent here and motionlefs they reft, As if fecure from danger : but, behold, Through the vaft void a mightier troop advance ; Sev'n eagles, thunder-bearers of high Jove, I fee in threats exulting : thefe, conceive To be th'Inachian chiefs. With fierce alTault The fnow-white phalanx they invade, and ope Their beaks, to riot on new feafts of blood, E'er yet their talons grafp their flirinking prey. See'ft thou the fanguine drops, the feath'ry fhow'r, Float o'er the fkies? — But lo, what fudden wrath A M Fixerunt curfus, hac rere in imagine Thcbas. Nam fcfe immoti gyro, atque in pace filentes. Ceil muris, valloque tenent. fed fortior ecce Adventat per inane cohors. feptem ordine fulvo Armigeras fiimmi Jovis exultante caterva Intuor. Inachii fint hi tibi (concipe) reges. Invafere globum nivei gregis. uncaque pandunt Caedibus ora novis,' & ftriais unguibus inftant. Cernis inexperto rorantes fanguine ventos, Et pliimis ftillare diem? quam faeva repente Of ( 8 > Of unpropltious Jove the conqu'ring hoft To various death decrees ! One foars aloft, And feels within his breaft the lightning's flame^ Yet hardl]^ bows his fpirit to the ftroke : Another, daring the prefumptuous flight Of elder>birds, ye feeble wings ! you. fail'd, And laidihim low on earth: this falls, and draws His rival with him, in one fate involv'd : This flies, and flying leaves his soasial train : This fliall the floods abforb : and frantic this Shall dying feed upon his living foe. Why, O Melampus ! from thy downcaft eye In fecret fl;arts that tear? — not unobferv'd Is he who falls. He faid, and both retir'd. — . n^ Viftores agitat leto Jovis ira finiftri ? Hie excelfa petens fubita face Solis inarfit, Summifitque animos. ilium veftigia adortum Majorum volucrum tenerse deponitis alae* Hie hofti implicitus pariter ruit, hunc fuga retra Volvit agens focia; linquentem fata catervae. Hie himbo glomeratus obit, hie preepete viva Pafeitur immoriens. fpargit cava nubila fonguis. - Quid furtim laehrymas ? ilium venerande Melampis Qui cadit, agnofco • STATIUS. (( ''b > o longer muit 1 ling m wonted Itrani ; Augi^<6^i?^a Boldriels ffoni'th Aonian grove? jNow mult 1 draw : i e IMules all, to mme Unfte voiir tlarmgs ! — W nether trom tli abyC* Or hrebus this rage was lent, and drm<5^' '"9^ '■ill' '^'^ •" ''".V'' •' ' rurlii d, where Capaneus his banners wav d ; Or wnether valour twas beyond controul, Ciloiy preeipitate; or fucceeding woe, u hull takers its rile trom joy, when wrath m- iV'Jjl'i/J ,;;iJpn; ',;■,-: O . .'"' .'''''' ^ '' . Non mihr jam lolito vatiim.de mqre canenduin -. A>f • , .M:y.^') t7-?irtvj L" t /.i.-^ ..." . Major ab Aonns lumcnda audacia lucis, .\'\ V %a ■■ Ml ' TDii' '. • <> . . ■■' ■ ■ ' Mecmxj omnes .audete flex, five ill? nrofundii . >.i.:ulJ •"< ;.'.u; 'I'l: Ml"'! 1 'i''^' Milins nocte furor, Capaneaque fic;na, lecut^ «,ni:. ■LIT ,Mir'._1^ I' ■' '!"■■( Anna Jovcm contra Stygjix rai^iierc fororcs, , Seu virtus egrclFa i nudum, feu cloria^r^ceps, ,,,,,,■ Sen m;i<;ii;t d.u.L i'.iiukI lu-vi, I'. u'Jaeta •mHloru-nVj' ,\\ vqi.J rr. c A Hat- ( 10 ) A flatt'ring nfyeS, bears from gods to menv Earth and its obje6ls now the hero fpurns j Glutted with carnage, ev'ry weapon fpent, His own, and thofe of his attendant friends, With wearied arm, he turns his eyes to heav'ii, Then meafures with indignant look the walls Of tow'r-in circled Thebes ; with countlefs rows Two unbranch'd pines connected he fuftains, To force his palTage into air ; a torch In many a flame divided, from afar Tremendous he uprears, whofe dazzling gleam Glows on his armour: " Againft Thebes," be cries, *' Be this my guide f With this, my fpirit bums Frincipia^ & ^iarfdae fuperum mortalibus irse. Jam fordent terrena viro, taedetque profunda Caedis, & exhauflis olim, Grajumque, fuif(}ue Miffilibus, laffa refpexit in aethera dextra. Ardua mox torvo metitur culmina tifu, Innumerofque gradus, getnina fetus afbore clufu» Aerium fibi portat iter. loAjgeque timendns Multifklam quercam' ffagfanti I\imine vibrat.- Arma rubent una, clypeoque incenditur igniy. Hac ait in Thebas, hac me jubet ardua virtus 6t To ( II ) " To mount where ilipp'ry with Menajceus' blood '* The tow'r yet reeks ; noM' will I try the ftrenp^th '* Of gotUikc aid, and prove Apollo's truth." He faid, and mounting with alternate ftep, Triumphant fcales the captive walls. Of old Tlius lieav'n beheld the Titans in mid air Afcending, when rebellious Earth afpir'd To caft a downward look upon the gods ; When yet the mafs of Pelion had not gain'd Its purposVl height, and Ofla fcarce had touch'd The trembling footftool of the thund'ring Jove. Ire, Menoeceo qua lubrica fanguine turris. Experiar, quid facra juvent, an falfus Apollo. Dixit, & alterno captira in moenia greffu Surgit ovans. quales mediis in nubibus xther Vidit Aloidas, cum crefccret impia tellus Defpe(5tura deos, ncc adhuc immane veniret Pelion, & trepidum jam tangerei Offii Tonantero. STATUS. ■ ( 13 > STA T III S. -t^fl'i •' J300K XI. ■ Xiius ilie intrcats, , And falls upon the ground : with tln'cats fevere . The father draws lier from her knees, and fpurna.. The thought of pardon. Thus beneath the cav^,. High arcli'd/ the lion, at whofe youthful rage The woods and mountains trembled, now aif- , , , lis looiUUiSI iii "'^' ' . arm d By lengthened years, in torpid floth reclines : But flill majeftic, in his aged form :','?< Infpires a terror, which forbids approach ; ' || And, if he hears the found of lowipgi itiepdsj, . r — — — — iic orat, humique Volvitur. ,abducit genitor, fcevumque minatur Indignans veniam. qualis leo rape fub alta Quern viridem quondam filvae montefque tremebant: Jam piger, & longo jacet exarmaUis ab aevo, Magna tamen facies, & non adevuida feneftus: Et fi demiffas veniat mugitus ad aures, Starts (IS ) Stai^ts iip, ftill mindfiil of himfelf, and groans O'er his' iofb fti'di^gtb; in<^ign?int that the race Of younger lions o-ei' the fields ih'oukl reign. . ..I. ., ,„„ ,,.i/. ..;i fli Si'iib:,, ii\t It i }< (lOr'B \U' ',»i\r'i\'u',M r .} n J; :>,,?, r.\\rwUiuMj'^:4 T.Ii¥. S:. WiiA.T <|dmejl|qy.(^ J Jj committed, wretched "What erpj'j?JLo/lefei^e,that I alpne;,,^. ,,^,1 ^'j/jjfp ... O Sleep ! thou genUeft poVr ! ihould want thy ^ gifts ? Birds, beafts, of milder or more iavage kind, In fdence reft ; ' thfe rbcks iti flumbers feign^f,^'* ErigityjCji mcminitquc/ fui^ vjrefque .^aJ^^S Ingemit, & campis jalioS' ^egnare lepi^e^s,; j^^ ,> -{m-'w-i; -1 Crimine quo menii juvenis, placidHnme divum, Quove grrpre mifer, donis ut folus egercm Soiiine tuis ? tacet omnc pecus, voliiciefquc, fcrsequc, *«U)r1 As ( u ) As wearied, nodding from their fumniits, bend ; Streams ceafe their rougher founds ; their roar The billows hufli, amid the briny main, And waves repofmg on the fliore recline. Sev'n times has Cynthia in her varied form Seen thefe pale cheeks unchang'd ; as oft the ftar Of morn, and cold Aurora, my complaints Has pafl, or fcatter'd from her dcM'^y car. How iliall my ftrength fuffice me ? — Had I eyes Num'rous as Argus, which alternate ope'd Their lids, and clos'd, and never wholly flept, Vain were to me his thoufand. — Now alas ! Et fimulant feflbs curvata cacumina fomnos. Nee trucibus fliiviis idem fonus, occinit horror v'Equoris, & terris maria acclinata quiefcunt. iSeptima jam rediens Phcebe mihi refpicit aegras iStare genas, totidem Oetaeas, Paphireque revifunt Lampades, & toties noftros Titonia queftus Prxterit, & gelido fpargit miferata flagello. Unde ego fufficiam ? non fi niihi lamina mille. Quae facer altcrna tantum ftatione tenebat Argus, '^haud unquam vigilabat corpore toto. Some ( 1-5 ) Some youth, who in his arms enfolds his la\^, Thro' the long niglit repels thee ; thence O come J Nor do I afk thee on mj eyes to fpread Thy wings entire— that boon^|j||feppy crave ; Touch thou me only witl^tii^ rod's extreme, And pafs with lighteft ilep fufpended- — - At nunc, hcus, aliquis longa fub no£le, puelix Brachia nexa tenens, ultro te Soinne repellit. ln(j!#' Vei»L, nee te totas infundere pennas His compello meis ; (hoc tufba precatur ^r) BjJjemo me tange caeumine vifgae : J^iffici^j^rot leviter fufpenfo poplite tranfi. 'V '* '■ CHA- G 1^^ )v .(,!<,•; ( ) ''irulc »'AJ !KiA 'jm wotft ibu«»T In Ovkl, Wifiespfttt^lsi liW'bmiii/irf faiir'^«4 ^*"^' Caught by the -favor -of eaclv wanton gale; Th ough deeply; /vAiight .\v{ith Learn in g s vai'ious ftores •^''^''1'" 9«"""^^ '^' <*'*'" r^" The gathered wealth with lariflv hand he pOiiVs ; And while his' laya'Jfhe fplendid grief impart^ They ftrike the ear, but fuik not to the licart ; Thus in the regions of the fartheft North, Where the Sun brings no ripen'd har\'ell forth. Through the,c|iill air inceflant meteors fly, And figns of wo^idei; ftreak the lucid fky ; In wild confufion flit th' inconftant rays, Nor e'er in Nature's aid collet their blaiie ; From cryftal rocks no genial moiflure floM's, And Winter's pow'r no diminution knows. CIIA- ( '7 ) CHARACTER. LUCAN. In Lucan, thought with dignity prevails, While Virtue weighs the world in equal fcales ; To Truth fevere he makes his firm appeal, And admiration fprings from what we feel ; No vain delight his folid lines infpire. But as we gaze we glow with patriot fire : Tlius flames the fun afcending thro' the fky, While low-bred vapours from his prefence fly ; Trees, plants, and flow'rs imbibe his vital ray ; Earth, air, and fea, rejoice beneath his fway ; And while he pierces to the ccntsal mine, Where gold and di'monds yet imperfed fhine, Splendor and ufe in blended fl;reams abound, And ev'ry beauty is with blefling crown'd. VOL. II. D TRANS- » ( 18 ) TRANSLATIONS. OVID. METAM. BOOK X. Pygmalion faw tliefe crimes, and faw difgrace Still overwhelm the guilty female race ; With horror hence he from their union fled, 1^ t ". And chofe the flumbers of a lonely bed : : * . Meantime an image he of iv'ry made, Adhere happiefl art fuch beauty had difplay'd, As would in vain in real life be fought;' -♦-fT Then himfelf doats on what his hands had wrought: ;. „ ,.•■ Q^as quia Pygmalion asvum per crimina agentes Viderat : oflfenfus vitiis, quae plurima menti' Foemineas natura dedit, fine conjuge ccclebs Vivebat, thalamique diu conforte carebat. .:. |. . * -' Interea niveum mira feliciter arte Sculpfit ebur, formamque dedit, qua foemina nafci Nulla poteft, operifque fui concepit amorem. A vir- ( 19 ) A virgin's grace it more than feem'd to wear, For life might well be thought t'inhahit there, And, but for fhame, a willi to move reveal'd, So much was art by higheft art conceal'd. Pygmalion now the polifli'd form admires, Whofe beauty feign'd a real flame infpires ; Oft to his work his hands fpontaneous move, Whether 'twas iv'ry ftill, or life to prove ; And ftill he doubts, unwilling to confefs, That lifelefs iv'ry ihould fuch life poflefs : Now gives a kifs, now thinks the kifs repaid, Talks to the ftatue, clafps the fenfelefs maid, Thinks that his fingers on her beauties prefs, And fears to harm them bv his fond excefs ; Virginis eft verae facies, quam vivere credas, Et, fi non obftet reverentia, velle moveri ; Ars adeo latet arte fua, miratiir, & haiirit Pe6tore Pygmalion fimulati corporis ignes. Sxpe manus operi tentantes admovet, an fit Corpus, an illud ebur : nee adhuc ebur efle fatctur Ofcula dat, reddique putat, loquitnrque, tcnetque, Et credit taftis digitos infidere membris, Et metuit preflbs veniat ne livor in artus, Courts ( 20 ) Courts her with prefents fiich as maidens love, Fruits, flowrs, and birds from ev'ry mead and grove ; Then round her Ihoulders a rich robe he throws, While on her neck and arms, in glitt'ring rows, Each gem he places ; all become the maid, Yet Ihe mod fair appears when leaft array 'd ; > Calls her, when plae'd upon the couch, his bride, And as the limbs from off the pillow glide. With care replaces the infenfate load. As if it felt the fondnefs he beftow'd. To Venus facred now returi^s the clay, When youths and maids t,h,^\T am'rous homage pay ; Et modo blanditlas adhibet, modo grata puellis Munera fert illi conchas, teretefque lapillos, Et parvas.volucres, & flores mille colorum, Liliaque piftafque pilas, & ab arbore lapfas Heliadum lacrymas: ornat quoque veftibus artus, Dat digitis gemmas, dat longa monilia collo ; Aure leves bacc^, redimicula peftore . pendent, Cun6la decent, nee nuda minus formofa videtur. C6llocat banc ftratis concha Sidonide tin£lis, Appellatque tori Ibciam: acclinataque coUa With ( 21 ) With flow'rs adorn'd each fiiowy v'l&'im dies, And fragrant flames from ev'ry altar rife ; pn thefe Pygmalion too his offering lays, And thus with fearful fuit to Venus prays : *' Ye go^s! whofe pow'r, if fo your wills decree, *' Through heav'n extends; pervades through land and fea, **Jfo thefe fond arms oh let her be conveyed;" He figh'd, yet dar'd not fay, his iv'ry maid : "But one like her!" — The goddefs heard his pray'r, ^ And faw the wilh he trembled to declare : Soon to his view the friendly ijgns appear "d. And thrice the flame its curling volume rearVl ; Mollibus in plumis, tanquam fcnfiira, repohit. Fefta dies Veneris tota celleberriina Cypro Venerat : & blandis indutae cornibus aurum Conciderant \t\x nivca cervice, juvencse, Thuraqiie fiimabant, cum itiunere fun6lus ad aras Conftilit, & timide, Si dii dare cuncta poteftis. Sit conjux opto, non aufiis eburnca virgo Dicere Pygmalion, finiilis mea, dixit, eburnae. Scnfit, \\t ipfa fuis aderat Venus aurca feftis, Vota quid ilia vclint : &, amiti numinis omen, Now ( 22 ) Now home returned, he feeks his fancied blifs, And bending o'er her, prints an ardent kifs ; When fee, ilie glows ! With hps again applied. Again with roving pahn her breaft he tried, The foft ning iv'ry, iv'ry now no more, Yields to the trial, as his hands explore The panting mafs ; thus duclile wax receives, Warm'd by the fun, each form the workman gives : Amaz'd he feels a yet uncertain joy. Fearing leaft truth his error iliould deftroy ; Once more her charms with eager hafte he tries, And found bevond a doubt her bofom rife ; Flamma ^cr accenfa eft, apicemque per aera duxit'. Ut rediit, fimulacra fiije petit ille puelhe, Incumbenfque toro dedit ofcula, vifa tepere eft, Admovet os iteriim, manibus quoque pectora tentat : Tentatum mollefcit ebur, pofitoque rigore Subfedit digitis, ceditque, Ut Hymettia fole Cera remoUefcIt, traftataque pollice multas Vertitur in facies, ipfoque fit utilis ufu. Dum ftupet, & dubie gaudet, fallique veretur, Rurfus amans, rurfufque manu fua vota retraftat : Twas ( 23 ) Twas life, no ftatue, the new-kindled heat In ev'ry pulfe beneath his preffure beat ; To Venus now his ampleft thanks repaid, Pygmalion clafp'd once more his breathing maid, Preft on her melting lips a lengthened kifs, And while the maid firft felt the thrilling blifs, Blufliing, to heav'n fhe rais'd her timid fight. And Oiw at once her lover and the light. Corpus erat, faliunt tentatae pollice venae. Turn vero Paphiiis pleniffima concipit heios Verba, quibus Veneri grates agit, oraque tandem Ore fuo non falfa premit : dataque ofcula virgo Senfit, & enibiiit, timidumque ad lumina lumen AttoUens, parlter cum coelo vidit amantem. LUCAN. ( 24 ) LUCAK. BOOK I. Xiiou, leaft new triumphs fliould thy paft ol)- fcure, Great Pompey ! fear 'ft; and wreaths from pi- rates won To Gallia's laurels yield : tHee, lengtlien'd toils Exalt, whofe fortune fpurns a fecond place; And while a Casfar brooks no higher rank, Endures no equal : which the jufter arms Aflum'd, muft reft unknowTi — in his defence Each boafts a mighty judge : War's partial powrs Fought for the vi6lors, but the vanquifh'd caufe Tu nova ne veteres obfcurent afta triumphos, Et viftis cedat peiratica laurea Gallis, Magne times : te jam feries, ufiifque laborum Erigit, impatienfque loci Fortuna fecundi : Nee quemquam jam ferre poteft, Cjefarve priorem, Pompeiufve parem. quis juftius induit arma Scire nefas : magno fe judice quifque tuetur : ^ »! Was ( 25 ) Was Cato's choice. Nor upon equal terms Met the contending chieftains : one, in years, Into old age declining, by long ufe Of civil honours calm'd, the Avarlike chief Had laid afide, and fought the arts of peace In fame more gentle ; courting by rich gifts The multitude, whofe wav'ring breath impelfd His courfe ; rejoic'd the plaudits to receive Of his own theatre, nor llrove new llrength To gain ; but trufting to paft Fortune's fmile, He (lands the fliadow of a mighty name : Thus in fome fertile foil, an oak fublime. Which bears the anticjue fpoils of vanquifli'd hofts, Vi(5lrix caufa De'is placiiit, fed vi6ta Catoni. Nee coiere pares : alter vergentibus annis In fenium, longoque tugx tranquillior ufu Dedidicit jam pace Ducem, famacque pctitor Multa dare in vulgus, totiis popularibus auris Impelli, plaufuque fui gaudere theatri : Nee reparare novas vires, nuiltumque priori Credere Fortuna; ; flat niagni nominis umbra : Oralis frugifero quercus fubliinis in agro VOL. II. K Trophies, ( 26- ) Trophies, ta conqueft facred, now no more By firm entwift^d roots fecure, depends For ftrcngtli upon its weight, Avhile thro' the air Spreading its withered branches, it affords. Not by its leaves, but by its trunk, a ihade ; And though each threat ning blafl portends a fall^i Though proudly ftand the younger trees, alone, Receives each hallow'd homage : — but a name In Ccefar rules not only, nor renown Of paft exploits ; in him a fpirit flames Which knows no refting place, no fhame admits, But not to conquer in the warlike field ; Fierce, unfubdued, where hope, where anger call* Exuvias veteres populi^ facrataque geftans Dona Ducum : nee jam validis radicibus haerens, Pondere fixa fuo eft, nudofque per aera ramos EfFundens, trunco, non frondibus efficit umbram, Sed quamuis primo nutet cafura fub Euro, Tot circum filvae firmo fe robore tollant. Sola tamen colitur. fed non in Caefare tantum Nomen erat, nee fama Ducis: fed nefcia virtus Stare loco, folufque pudor non vincere bello : Acer, & indomitusy quo fpes, qu,6que ira vocaflet, His. { 27 ) Hi^ ami, he follows, nor the rathlcfe ftvord Spares tQ uniheatli; ililL faithful to fiiccefs, Ardent he prelfes on the fav'iing pov'rs,- Impelling what his purpofe could oppofe Of fovreign rule f/'ej^lting to- pervade Through havoc to his^^prey,: The thunder's bolt Thus driv'n by winds, through parting clouds, Terrific ruflies, rives the vaulted fky, And rcwis the face of nL: LIB. IX. AD FINEJI. " NXTtONS have loft their joy ; our concord loll " Tlie world laments, nor have the fav'ring gods " Grarrted my wifhes, that with conq'ring arms Florigeri repetunt, & facri mellis amorem. Gaudet in Hyblso fecurus gramine pador Divitias fcniafle cafe, fie voce Catonis Inculcata viris jufti patientia Martis. Jamque aftu belli hdn doflaS ferre quietem Conftituit menteis, fei-iemqu£ agitafe laborum. Lseta dies rapta efl populis : concordia mupdo Noftra pent : caruere Deis mea vota fccundis. VOL. II. r " De- '' Depos'ct, I might have i'liiijuL thee to my bread, \%'yii{fry " And fuetl for fonder loves ;> .have fought from , thee ,brr/:rnrrr)'> f)v>\ -'Dhn-lffy, "Thy better life ; nbr wiflfd a brighter clofe i ^';Tq all my toils; content with the rewardi!'' *' To be thy equal deem'd : in lafting peace "I, by my care, would have from thee obtained " To grant forgiv nefs tp a partial Heav'n " That thou waft conquer'd ; — thou, by thine, hadft gain'd ^" Fjrom Rome my pardon:"— thus he ff)f ])Iood with joy, though Cj^Car deign to weep LUC AN, LIB. IX. He, lab 'ring with the god, whom in his mind lie bore in filencc, from his bread tluis powr'd Thefe accents, worthy of moft holy il>rines : " What, Labienus, wouldft thpu wiih to feek? " Whether in arms, with Freedom, I would fall Crcdidit : abfcondont gcmitiis, 8c peflora latta Fronfe tcgiint, hilarefqiie nefas fpe6larc crucntum, O bona libertas, ciim Csefar liigeat, audent. lllc Deo plenns, tacita quern mente gerebat, EfFiidit digna5 adytis e peclore voces. Qiiid quscri Labicne jubes ? an libef rn armii *' Rather .{' 36 ). ' Rather than fee a Caefar's reign r If life ' Be ought, or nothing, fliort, or long poffeft ? ' If force can harm the good ; if Fortune lofe ' Her threat, when worth oppofes ? If to wiih ' For what is worthy praife, fuffice ; if palms ' Can by fuccefs enhance the virtuous deed ? — ' This we all feel, nor deeper in the mind ' Can Amnion prefs the truth : on heav n we all ' Depend, and though no temple fpeak, we aCb ' But as the God infpires : that facred pow'r ' No voice demands, and when sve firft were born " He fpake the whole permitted man to know ; OccubuifTe velim potiiis, quam regna videre ? An fit vita nihil, fed lon«;a > an differat actab > An noceat visulla bono, Fortunaque perdat Oppofita virtute minas, laudandaque velle Sit fatis, & numquam fucccfrii crelcat hoaeftuni ? Scimus, & hoc nobis non altius inferct Amnion. Ha:remus cuncli Superis, temploque taceate Nil agimus nifi fponte Dei : non Vocibus uUis Numen eget : dixitque fcmel nafcentibus audlor Quidqiiid fcire licet: (lerileis nee legit arenas, '' Nor ■ ( 37 ) *' Xor chofe thcfe barren delkrts to declare " His will to few, or in the duft his truth " Immers'd : Is earth, fea, air, and fky, alone * ' His dwelling ? He with Vutue dwells ; why afk '^ Of pow'rs fuperior, more? The God fuprenic *' Is all we fee, where'er we move : — Let doubt " Impel the fearchers of events, and keep *' The votaries of chance fufpendcd : — IVIe " No oracles afliue, but certain death " Decides my choice: the coward and the brave ^' Alike mult fall; nor needs Jove more declare." Thus Cato fpake, and left the fane, its faith Uninjur'd, and its Amnion unexplor'd. Eftque Dei fedes nifi terra, & Pontus, & aer, Et ca;lum ? eft virtus : Superos quid qua*riiTius ultra I Jupiter eft quodcumque vides, quocumquc moveris. Sortilegis egeant dubii, fempcrque futuris Cafibus anCipites : me non oracula certum, Sed mors cetta fatit : paviJo, fortique cadendum eft. Hoc fatis eft dixifFc Jovem. fic ille profatur, Servataque fide templi difcedit ab aris, Kon exploratum populis Ammona relinquens, LUCJN, ( 35 ) LIB. IV. Life at a diftance, comrades, I have cail. And all my pow'rs exulting feel the goad Of future death ; — 'tis rage ; — 'tis ecftaf^ ! — To thofe alone whom near-approaching Death Infolds within his grafp, ^and what the gods Conceal from wietches, doom'd to longer life, That they may bear its pangs,) 'tis giv'n to prove That he who dies is happy*. -Fame, that flies. O'er land and fea, no fliip with louder trump Hath prais'd : yet daftard nations will not learn Projeci vitam comites, totufqtfc futurar Mortis agor flimiilis. furor eft ; agnofcere folis PermiflTiim eft, quos jam tangit vicinia fati, Viclurofque Dei celant, ut vivere durcnt, Felix elfe mori.— — — •f- — — — nuUam majore locuta efl Ore ratem totum difcurrens fama per orbem. By < 39 ) By fuch examples, witii how flight an effort One ftroke may dole tlieu* fervitude : but kings Still for their arms are dreaded ; Freedom ftill Is sraird with chains, and knows not fwords f ■ r f MTre gi\ 'n ^^Imt ^ none mi^ht , ,be ^nilav'd., , . O, Dc3tl>, ,th^ Thou woi^ldft witlidraw the coward heart froqn But yalpur only gave thee in reward |. Non tamcn ignavae poft hajc exempla vironira Percipient gentes, quani fit non ardita virtus Servitiiim fugiffe-manu :*fe(i rcgria timentur ' ' Ob ferrum, & fsvis libcrtas uritur armis, " . Ignoratque datos, ne qiiifqu.un fcrviat, enfcls. Mors utiiiam pavrdAfe' vite' Aibducere- nolles, Sed virtu»^*C fpf^ 4j^^t.„ , #^ ( 40 ) CLAUDIAN. In Claudian Pomp unfolds her lengthen'd ftate In o'orsreous robes, but bendina: with the weiaht : His fancy fertile, but his numbers flow In ftream unalter'd, uniformly flow ; To heights by meift fcorn'd his praifes foar, M^hile Rom c-s hst^ fons therr bafer lord adore t ^ Thus, where the Ganges fpreads liis facred flood, And Nature teems with each gigantic brood, Her largeft race, the elephant beholdn Array 'd in panoply of gems and gold ; Onward he moves, earth groans beneath his feet, While India's defpots, from their folemn feat, Look with difdain on crowds by terror aw'd, Who proftrate hail their tyrant, as their God.. CHA-; ( 41 ) c II A R A c T r: R. SENECA. Terrific fiends on Seneca await, Revenge, Luft, Murthcr, Jealoufy, and Hate ; Here groans Defpair, there burfting Frenzy yells, And llage its crimes in duel triumph tells; Such arc the fcenes his favage IMufe difplays, As paiTion prompts th' exafperated phrafe: At clofe of evening thus the tyger howls, As famjlird o'er Ilyrcanian wilds he prowls ; If mid the gloom fome trembling deer he fpies, Swift as a fhaft he fprings, — the vidim dies ; Gorg'd, yet unfated with the mangled food, He riots in the luxury of blood, Impeird by Fury's ftill increnfing fway, Again he turns, again he tears the prey. VOL. U, .« TRAVS- ( 4i2 ) TRANSLATIONS. CLAUDIAN, Fain would I gatlicr each exploit ; but deetls Of olorious record in condenfin"" train Prefs on, and ftreams of if ill increafing pralfe Overwhelm my pow'rs. When now th" imperial Sire Had crufli'd the tyrant, and regain "d the fkics, Leaving the earth confign'd to thy command, The tott'ring fabric of the flate didft thou With equal neck fuftain : In antient days, Thus, w^hen Alcides bore th' incumbent world^ With firmer poife fufpended, the machine With all its ftars unaltered kept its courfe. Nor bow'd the hero, with enfeebled Hep ; While Atlas wonder'd, for a time reliev'd. To fee the burthen which himfelf had borne. Singula complefti cupcrem : fed denfior inftat Geftorum feries, laudumque fequentibiis undis Obruimur. Genitor caefi poft bella tyranni Jam tibi commiflis confcenderat ?ethera terris. Ancipites rerum ruituro culraine lapfus Squall ( 43 ) THE SAME IN RHIME. I* Aix would my Miifc each high exploit rehcaife, But crouds of" glorious deeds oblirutt my verfe ; Succcflive tides of praiie enlarge my theme, And overwhelm me Avith their fwelling llream. When noAV th' imperial Sire had quell'd his foes, And fought in brighter realms his bleft repofe^ To thee refigning, and thy firm command, The fov'reign rule o'er ev'ry fea and land, Tliy equal neck upheld the mighty weight, And propp'd the ruins of the tott'ring ftatc : Thus, when Alcides bore the ftarry fphcre. With jufter poife, through Heav'n's cteraal year, The vaft machine its revolution clos'd. Nor bow'd the hero with the toil impos'd ; And Atlas, while the tranfient reft he gain'd. With wonder faw the mafs himfelf fuftain'd. ^quali ccrvice fubis. fie Hcrculc quondam Suflentanie polutn, melius librata pepcndit Machina, nee dubiis titiibavit fignifer adris, Perpetuaque fencx fubduftus mole parumper Obftupuit proprii fpeftator pondcris Atlas. CLAUDUN. ( u ) CLAUDIAN. DE XUPT. HON. ET MAR; The goddefs paus'd, and turning with furprife, rirft on the daughter, her admiring eyes, Then view'd the mother, o'er wliofe blooming head Advancing time each fini/li'd grace had flied ; The daughter hke the Moon's yet nafcent rays, The mother like her, in her fulleft blaze : With flender boughs, and yet unbinding roots, Thus near its parent the young laurel flioots. But bears the promife of her branching pride, When flocks fliall graze beneath her lliady fide : Cun6latur ftupefatla Venus, nunc ora puellae. Nunc flavam niveo miratur vertice matrem. Haec modo crefcenti, plenae par altera Lunae, Affurgit ceu forte minor fub matre virenti Laurus, & ingentes ramos, olimque futuras Promittit jam parva comas : vel flore fub uno Or ( 45 ) Or thus, -Nvhere Paeftan groves laxurlant blow, ) On one united flem two rofes grow ; // This richly rear'd by funimer funs and fhowVs/ At large the fragrance of her beauty pours ; That ihrinks within its bud, nor dares difplay Her tender foliage to Hyperion's ray. , ijudj iv ' ,9:lovnr T SENECA, MEDEA ; PROLOGUE. Ye gods of wedlock, and Lucina, thou ,,,^ ^j^g Protedrefs of the genial couch ; with her, . ,. T By whofe inftrudion Tiphys in his bark Firft brav'd the fea; and thou, whofe flern com- mand Ceu geminx Patftana rofae per jugera regnant: Haec lai^o matura die, faturataque vernis Roribus indulget fpatio : latet altera nodo, Nee teneris audet foliis admittere foles. Dii conjugales; tuque genialis tori Xucina cuftos; quasque domitorcm frcti Controulg ( +6 ) Controuls the rage of Ocean ; Titan, thou Whofe radiant car ilknnes the lubjed earth ; " And thou, thrice potent Hecat^, Avho lendft l Tliy confcious gleams to each unhalloM^'d rite,l' •Ye gt)ds, whom Jafon witnefs'd and betray 'd,iT Or thofe, whom more it fuits Medea's wrongs- 1 T' invoke, old Chaos, and eternal Night; Ye pow'rs infernal, enemies to Heav'n, Ye fliades accurs'd ! and thou, the gloomy lord Of Erebus, with her, thy confort, Horn With firmer faith by thee ; on each I call, But with no friendly voice : — Attend, attend, Y' avenging minifters of guilt 1 unfold :i Tiphyn novam fr?enare docuifti ratem ; Et tu profundi fasve donjinator maris ; Clarumque Titan dividens orbi diem ; " Tacitifqne praebens confcium fucris jubar, Hecate triformis ; quofque juravit mihi Deos Jafon ; quofque Medea; magis Fas eft precari ; nottis aternx chaos Adverfa fiiperis regna, manefque impios, Dominumque regni triftis, & dominam fide Meliore raptam, voce non faulta precor j Adefte, adefte (Iceleris ultrices desr, ^tfcmmO The ( 47 ) The ferpents 'tangled in your gory locks ; Whirl round vour torches ; hither halle, urrav'd In all your horrors, fuch as erll you ^vore When ftation'd at my nuptial bed ! — firft itrikc This new-made bride with death ; the fecond blow Fall on the father, and his royal race : — But, O for fome more piercing curfe, to blaft The faithlels bridegroom ! May he live, and roam Through unknown m ilds, in poverty, defpair, Exile, and hate ; uncertain where to find A roof for flicker, till at laft he wifh Ev'n me again his partner ; let him feck For life's fupport at foreign doors, a guefl Crinem falutis fquallidae fepentibus, Atram cruentis manibus amplexx facem, Adefte : thalamis horridae quondam meis Quales ftetiftis : conjugi letum novsr, J^etumquc focero & regiae ftirpi date. Mihi pejus aliquid, quod prccer fponfo malum ; Vivat ; per urbes erret ignotas, egens, Exul, pavcns, invifus, incerti laris : Me conjugcm optet ; limen alienum expetat. Now , , ( ^s ) Now known and fpurnVl ; and, to complete my ciirfc, '« Let him have cliildrcn like himfelf, and like Their mother: — Ha! revenge then ftill is mine^ I am a mother: — hence, ye vain complaints! » Shall I not rufli upon my foes, not quench Thefe bridal torches, and the light of day ? Does Phoebus, author of my race, behold My wrongs, and, on his car unmovVl, purfue His wonted progrefs through unclouded fkies, • Nor backward drive his courfers to the Eaft ? O bear me through the void, ye friendly fteeds?' Give me the reins, bright fne ! and from thy wheels " '* ^'' -ir-- '\^^^^ *^ - Jam notus hofpes : quoque non aliud queam moixiij Pejus precari, liberos iimiles patri, Similefque matri ; — parta, jam parta ultio eft. Peperi, querelas verbaque incaffum fero. Non ibo in hoftes > manibus excutiam faces, Coeloque lucem. fpectat hoc noftri fator Sol generis? & fpeftatur, & curru infidens . ;J6ViV' Per folita puri fpatio decurrit poll? r, .r Non redit in ortus, & rcmetitur diem? Let ( 49 ) Let me liurl bick'ring flames: let Corinth blaze, Nor longer part her two contending fliores : — This dill remains ; myfelf the nuptial torch Will bear, and, all due rites abfolv'd, ^vill flay My vi6lims, on the altars I have rear'd : — Tear thee, Medea ! through thy inmoft heart, A way to work their chaftifement. — My fouU If yet within thee there remain a fpark Of ancient fire, difpei all female fears. And be as cruel as the nithlefs rocks Of Caucafus ; whate'er the Pontic floods, Or banks of Phaiis once beheld, again •■" ^f,';;^^lld /fir "t'lttn juifii :'. / _ ., Da, da per auras curribus patrlis vehi. Committe habenas, genitor, & flagrantibus Ignifera loris tribite moderari juga. Gemino Corinthus littori opponens moras, Cremata flammis maria committat duo. Hoc reftat nnum : pronubam thalaiio feram Ut ipfa pinum ; poftque facrificas preccs Cadam dicatis viftinias altaribus. Per vifcera ipfa quaere fupplicio viatn, Si vivis, anime : fi quid antiqui tibi Remanct vigoris, pelle femineos metus, Et inhofpitaiem Caucafum mcnte indue. TOL. II. U Shall ( 50 ) Shall til' Ilthmus fee ; deeds favage, deeds lui- known, Deeds terrible alike to Earth, to Ilcav'n, i\Iy mind retolves; wounds, carnage, death that roams - rT' O er ev'ry limb ;— tliefe are too light of notr, Thefe are niy Airgin a6^ii:4vlct^-rief arife In flerner ftate, and crimes of deeper flainj':; 7 'r^ Accompany an injur'd niotheii'j^ -wrongs :— Arm thyfelf, Fury! for deftruftion draw / ./, Thy keeneft blade; and let a tale of hqrror : H) Proclaim alike my marriage and divorce. But — how, JMedea! doll thou quit thy hulband? ■' ■ ' '••' > ■ ■" — Jluj. Ufa ) Cinodcunque vidit Phafis aut Pontus nefas, Videbit Ifthmos. effera, ignota, horrida, : ...... Tremenda ccelo pariter ac terrjs.jnala, ) \tt*ni^iO Mens intus agitat ; vulnera, & <;:vdem, & vagnm., Ti Funus per artus. levia memoravi, .. I jj ^ Hasc virgo feci, gravior exfiirgat dolor; ,s ms|»SE3 Majora jam me fcelera pofl: partus decent, ^jjiv f*? Accingere ira, teque in exitium para jfyiy i^ ■ Furore toto: paria narrentur tua ,,,jj{ •Repudia thalamis. quo virum linquis modo ? ^^.; ^.j I ! E'err ( 51 ) E'en as thou follow'dft him: — no more delays;— Ties form'd by blood, by blood fliali be diflblv'd Hoc quo fecuta es. rumpe jam fcgnes moras: Qiiac fcelere padla cHj fcelere rumpetur fides. CHA- ( 5^ ) CHARACTER. LUCRETIUS. Lucretius, led from Wifdom wide aflray, By the falfe fire of Error's meteor ray, Yet with fuch ftrength, to Truth's mifguided lliade Has ev'ry fplendor of rich thought convey'd, Such more than colour in his didion fliown, That Art appears with pow'rs beyond her own : Thus while the painter, with outline conccal'd, Has to the fight the truth almofi; reveaFd, With Ihaded tints, has cloth'd the canvas plain;, The touch eluding with a phantom vain ; The fculptor fcorning the deceitful hues, Where light and fhade the fenfe beguil'd abufe, Dares in his mafs the brittle web to break, Gives the laft ftroke, and bids the marble fpeak. CIIA- C 53 ) CHARACTER. ANTI-LUCRETIUS. In Melchior fcience and the Mufe combine, Nor to Lucretius yields his rival line ; Themes moft obfcure admit his lucid lay, And Art*s minuteft forms his lyre obey ; Nature to him her fecret (lore unfolds, And Nature's Lord well-pleas'd the work be- holds ; Thus fmiles the fapphire with a blue ferene, A blufli more deep is in the ruby feen, The di'mond ftill a brighter beam difplays, The fight confounding with its varied rays ; But in the facred plate on Aaron's breaft, While judgment utter'd the divine behcft, Light and perfedion by the gems were known. Where Thummira fpakc and holieft Urim fhonc, TRANS" 54 TRANSLATIONS. LUCRETIUS, BOOK I. > ' B E X I G X A N T Veil US ! of die ^n eid race Divine progenitrix ! delight of men And pow'i^s fuperior ! who beneath the figns Ilolling their courfe celeftial, over feas 'WHiere navies ride, o'er genial earth, which bearsj Her. varied fruitage, takeft thy abode In frequent influence ; from thee their birth Since animals of evVy kind derive, And ncM^-born ope their eye-lids to the dawn, ^neadum genitrix, hominum divumque voluptas. Alma Venus, cceli fubter labentia figna Quae mare navigerum, quae terras frugiferenteis Concclebras: per te quoniam genus omne animantum Concipitur, vifitque exortum lumina folis: Te dea, te fugiunt venti, te nubila coeli : Adventuqiie tuo, tibi fuaveis Daedala tellus At ( 55 ) At thy approach the variegated earth Sends up her flow'rs odorous, Ocean iinooths • ■ In fmiks its billows, and the iky appears :,.; / In hght diffufive, llieds its glitt'ring beajjls;ijfW For loon as Spring diieloles lucid day, iVnd Zeph;^TS, lool'end from their bonds, in galjcs Prolific blow, the many-colpur'd tribes Of birds aeii^d, fubje^t to thy flames, ir$i[^i}{) Thy potent prtjlenfL^e feel; the; wilder: teds Bound o'er the paflures joyful, ajid oppofe Their glowing breaft to braye the rapid tid^j^^y; Tims by tliy charms, thy, evjer, .yinning w,Ues, _< , Eac^i ajiiniated race tl^y call obey - K j With willing ardour; wherefoe'er thou lead'ft__ Submittit flores : tibi rident aiquora ponti, Pacatumque nitet diffufo lumine coelum. ^j Nam linuil ac fpecics patefafta eft vcrna diei, j Et referata viget genitabilis aura Fa,voni : y AeriK: primum volucres te diva, tuumqiie.. y- Significant initum, perculfe corda tua vi. ^..^..^^j Inde fera: pecudes perfultant pabula Ixtre, |. Kt rapidos tranant amneis : ita capta leporc .lUecebrifque ; tuis omnis natura animantuni Their ( 56 ) Their inflind, over foaming feas, through woods On fteepy mountains waving, limpid ftreams, And leafy dwellings of the feather'd tribes, With flow'ry meads, in all infpiring bland Thy genial warmth to propagate their kind : — Since thus o'er Nature's univerfal realm Alone thou ruleft, nor without thy will Ought rifes to falute the morn, no joy Nor joy-diffufive Love exerts his fway, Thee to my Mufe affociate I invoke, Whde I purfue in tuneful verfe, the theme * Of boundlefs Nature, to the noble race Of Memmius, patron of my fong, whom thou • In"// Te fcqttitur cupide, quo q«ainq«€ i«dacere pergis. Denique per maria, ac monteis, fluviofque rapaceis Frondiferafque domos avium, campofque virenteis. Omnibus incutiens blandum per pe6tora amorem, Efficis, ut cupide generatim fecla propagent. Quae quoniam rerum naturam fola gubernas. Nee fine te quicquam dias in luminis oras Exoritur, neque fit lastum, neque amabile quicquaM : Te fociam fludeo fcribendis verfibus efle, '' Quos ego de rerum natura pangere conor Memmiadae noftro, quern tu dca tempore in omni O god- ( 57 ) O goddefs, ever haft decreed, to deck With ev'ry fcience, and each libial art ; Thee, therefore, I implore to grant that grace To thefe my didates ; and meanwhile, effect. That War's fell deeds o'er fea and earth may ceafe, And calm repofe her (lumbers may enjoy; For thou alone, by tranquil Peace, canfl give Thy aid to mortals, fmce the warlike ftrifc Thy Mars armipotent conduds, and he Oft on thy fragrant bofom leans, fubdu'd By Love's unerring fhaft, and thus, with eye Uptum'd, reclining on thy polifh'd cheek, In languor doats — and feeds his ardent looks. Love's conqueft rich inhaling, while fupine Omnibus ornatum voluifti excellere rebus. Qu^o magis aeterniim da diftis Diva leporerff". Effice, ut interea fera munera militia'i Per maria, ac terras omneis fopita quiefcant. Nam tu fola potes tranquilla pace jiivare Mortaleis : quoniam belli fera munera Mavors Armipotens regit : in gremium qui faepe tuum fe Rejicit, a-terno deviflus vulnere amoris : Atque ita fufpiciens tcreti ceruice repofta VOL. u.^ I With ( ^s ) AVith panting breath, o'er ev'ry cliarm he rovcsi Ilini, goddeis, thou M'ithin thy downy arms Infold embracing, from thy liquid lips Pour the foft accent in perfuaiive tone, And fue that Peace victorious may return To Rome, and to his offspring; — for in days Of tumult to our country, m e, the bards. Silent, unable to puifue our themes, Dare not intrude upon the warlike flock Of Memmius, nor can that exalted race Defert the fafety of the public weal. — Pafcit amore avidos inhians in te dea vifiis : Eque tiio pendet refupini fpiritus ore. Hunc til Diva tuo recubantem corpore fanfla Circunfufa fuper, fuaveis ex ore loquelas Fundc, petens placidam Romauis inclyta pacem. Nam neque nos agere hoc patriaT tempore iniquo PoflTumus aequo animo : nee Memmi clara propago Talibus in rebus commurii dcefle faluti. ANTL (' '^ ) - ANTI-LUCHKriUS. BOOK III. Happy tlic nmn who, ftudious to puifuc Truth to its inmoftcaufc, i'oavs far above ; Kaci^ outward fcufc ; couchicieci by no guide But what proceeds from Rcafon's friendly ray, And his own native fuength; who tries the paths By mprtul feet untrodden ; to eaeh fource Of Nature pierees; and witlK>ut difniay Dares to explore her moll recondite Iiaunts : Ilim, not th' uncertain fniile of kings, nor galo Of Fortune, nor vain Plcafure's empty wiih, Felix qiii vrhisf Avidus cognofcere caufas, Senfns affiirgit fupra, nullumque fecutus Diiftorem, pnrter lumen Rationis amicum Vimquc animi, reliqu?s' tnonalibus IntJa tentat Jpfe loca, explorat remrh caput, atque per pmn^ Naturae latebras ire impcrterritus audct. Ilium hon anceps Regnm favor, aut Icvis aura Fartuiur, iniferifqur b»n!ii content* Voluptab '^^i'^'V: With ( 60 ) With wretched good contented, can perfnade To quit Truth's facred love ; to him it boots But little, to behold at eafe the llreams Gliding in languid floth, or on the grafs Reclin'd, orftretch'd beneath the quivnng fhade Of branching trees, to gaze upon the fands O'er which in glitt'ring gleam the waters flow; Or cull the flow'rs which on the banks arife, And drink the moifture of the foft'ring dew : He rather feeks the fount, and with delight Inveftigates the rich mgeand'ring veins. Why then do we, though by the bars inclos'd Of bodies, gaze on matter's outward form, DImoveant, Veri fanflum ut deponat amorem. Scilicet baud fatis eft rivos fpeftare fluentes, Aut herba in molli patulxque fub arboris umbra Proftratura, nitido radiantes rore lapillos Mirari, ac treraulo labentes murmure lymphas, Et flores quos nutrit aquarum lafteus humor, Ac bibulo Temper viridantem cefpite ripam : Fontem ipfum indagare juvat, penitufque latentes Rimari venas laticumque exordia prima. Howe'er ( 61 ) IToweVr adorn'd, admiring? and difport On the vain iiirface of created things ? Why not, with nobler fearch, the deep recefs Of Nature's Iwly temple pierce, and fue To gain admiflion to her inmoft flirine ? Where, on the fource and origin of things, With what true joy we may dire^ our eyes. And fix in firmed energy the mind. ' "Here haunts the Sage, and leaves to vulgar cares The trifling, tranficnt toys ; — hence to the praife Defervd, no bard can elevate his fong, Of great Pythagoras, and Plato, fouls Qu^orfum igitur nos corporibus circumundique fepti. Materia: dccus ac formam externumque nitorem Miramur tantitm, fummoque in cortice rerum Ludimus } Internam cur non penetramus in aedem Natura;, atque adytis immitti pofcimus ipfis? Quam pulchrum eft in principiis, in origine rerum DeBxifTe oculos Sc nobilc mentis acumen! Pervolat hue Sapiens; nuga; funt ca-tera Vulgi. Hinc DuUus digno Vittes eKtoUere vorfu lUuf- ( 62 ) Illuftiious, who ^vitl^ ardour fouglit to know, Ilrft their own ftatc^ and then to One fuprenie. Author of all creation and themfelves. In contemplation moft iublinie to rife. Tli^fe lior the manners, nor the fond delights; Of their own foil, or their paternal roof, Could turn £i*om tracing with laborious feet The banks of Egypt's ftreain, and Syrian ihores. Where higlieft Wifdom firft her feu Iptur'd gates Difclos'd : amid thefe emblematic fanes, Hme| t)myri confulted ^\W^i. .wkfffP^ , j?.ftgthen*d years , ■.;;■, , vJa Vttro f--'*^'^ ^??-r ^^'-^s >; Had train'd to richeft knowledge, ap4 ittlYOld Kythawora* magni poterit, magnique Platoriis Illuffres animas : ingens qiiibus inftitit ardor, Se prlmuni, auftoremque ful & prunordia cunfta M Qi*a>rere contemplando. Hos non tenuere paterrii Dclicia- morefqtte foJi, qiiin protinns omnem ^4igyptum & Syrii Jnftrarent littora ponti ; Incoluit primiim quas alma Scientia fedes : Atcjue viros ibi corvfulerent fapientlpotentes jLppgacvofque, & dpftrinse monuraenta vetuftiC'V: ( C3 ) Tlie myftic monuments of eldcft Time : Thence to return, not fraught with tindur'd vefts, Witli gold, or gems, t' enrich their native lund^ iJut with tlie precious words of wildom, far Above all treafures, and with lights of truth. With this intent, my jVIemmius ! fweet the talk. To gaze with thee on Nature, fweet to pierce Her clofe receiVes, to fupport the torch Before thee, and confirm thy feeble ftcps : Nor he thou wearied in the labour ; long, I own, and rough the tracks, o'er mountains, where Civibus ut tandem non vellera murice tinfta. Noil aurum aut gemmus, aft aurea difta fcrcntes, Pitarent patriam nova per commercia Vcri. Hoc animo, (i»intl, Naturam invifere tecum Duke mihi : diilce eft altos intrare recelfus, Et praeferre faccm, & greflus finnarc labantcs. He te, quxfo, vix capiant mala txdia longie. Suat rigidi, fateor, trito fine tramite montek, 3unt (lursc cautct, as /piou horrida pailim ( 6i ) No feet have trockien ; rugged rocks, and fliiubs Horrid with thorn, and interwoven ftems, Crofs thy advancing, and intrenchments deep Traverfe the marfliy ibil ; yet boldly thou Proceed with mind unfaltering, while I ftrive To fmooth the path, and cheer thy wearied feet With no unpleafnig fong : thus, in the woods And 'mid embow'ring fhades, the tuneful bird Warbles her native defcant, while his mate Broods o'er th' unfeather'd offspring, with a care Maternal ; he now perches on the branch, Now flutt'ring o'er the fpray, with rapid wing He darts ; and day and night, with watchful _ guard ... -, - .- -~ . Vifgulta, et foffk juga per falebrofa profundx : Ma£te ahimo tamen interea dum alludere conor, DefefTamque tibi rerum afperitate molefta, Non injucundo folari carmine mentem. Haud fecus in fylvis, ac frondes inter opacas Ingenitum carmen modulatur muficus ales, Dum fovet implumes fcetus placidiflima conjux : Nam ramo nunc ille fedens, nunc praepete pennJ Hue illuc cifcumVolitans, no6lcfque diefque Proteds ( 65 ) Prote6ls the neftlings ; then the grove rcfounds With the foft trillings of his ruffled tliroat ; — She all the while, within her neft conceal'd, Imbibes the liquid notes, forgets her toil, Nor feels the lalhtude of conftant care. ANTI-LUCRETIUS, BOOK VII. Since matter then is flill in ev'ry part Matter extended and endu'd with form, Why Ihould we not diftinguifli, though abftrtife And hidden in the living tribes, each part Lefs than the other, with creative fkill Invigilat cuftos; liquida turn voce canorus Perfonat omne nemus: uiolli h Verum etiam organico ritu doftaque creantis Arte laboratas, quae fint primordia rerum» Atque alias aliis immerfas? Siciit in horto Cernimus, illuxere dies cum veris amoeni, Surgere florcntem viridi de cortice gemmam. Afpicis ut teneram vix audet findere pellem Primiim inter nitidas affulgens purpura frondes t Carpe manu, flos efl: nondum, fed molle futuri Principium floris; foles alimentaque defunt: '*=i-*^ Th«rc ( 67 ) Tlieie flialt tliou find iiiinumber'tl, fbkls of leaves In nafcent ftate, and all tli' expanfive bloom, Which zephyrs would have waken 'd, had It gain'd In time the juft perfe6lion of the rofe. Carpe manu, internofque oculo fcrutare recefTusj Invenies foliorum intexta volumina centum, Et quotquot Zephyris erat expanfura coronas, $i cr^vifTe rofae juitum licuilfet io sevum. TRANSLATIONS FROM FRENCH VERSE, In. nova fert anitnus mutatas diccre/ormas corpora. Vid. Harris, Fhilologic Arrangements, p. 100. 1/1 O i T A J 3 K / ■\t'^^■ ( 71 ) FROM L'ART D'AIMl^R DE BERNARD, EN SIX PIEDS. BouRBOx advanc'd with formidable hoft To quell the tyrants in their haughty bouft ; Mis thund'ring engines now their lightning pour On hoftile Paris, and each tott'ring tow'r ; Rage and dcftru6lion round the league were fpread. Which, Hydra-like, now droop'd in ev'r}^ head ; On Rome's vain efforts Heav'n indignant frown'd, And Henry's brow with conq'ring wreaths were crown 'd. Bourbon armoit fon bras du foudre redoutable Qui portoit des Ligueurs la perte inevitable ; Ses bombes, fes carreaux fondant de toutes parts Du r^belle Paris renverfoient les remparts; La Ligue, hidre aux abois, dans fes Tours embraffes Soulcvoit vainement fes t^tes ^crafifes, JLe Ciel confondoit Rgmc, & couroanoit Henri. On ( 72 ) On Iton's flow'ry banks, whofe waters lave The plains were Ivri's golden harvefts wave, A eaftle ftands, where art its fkill had fliown, But could from fimplc nature fcarce be known ; Of this afylum nought difturbs the peace, The roar of ftorms, the din of battles ceafe ; Silence here reigns, and, 'mid the calm repofe, ' The wanton Zephyr o'er the flow'ret blows ; The fhepherds here on pipes melodious play, And warbling birds accompany the lay ; The limpid ftreams their gurgling murmurs join, And feem, the banks forfaking, to repine ; Sur les bords de I'lton, aiipres des champs d'lvri. Eft un Chateau tranquille & dont l'archite6l»re Sous un art deguife n'offre que la Nature; De cet afile heureux ricn nc trouble la paix, Des fougueux aquilons n'y fouflereot jamais j Dans le fein du repos le filence y prefide, Folatrant fur les fleurs le zephire y refide ; Aux flutes de5 Bergers, a leurs tendres chanfons, Les oifeaux de leur voix accordent les doux fons» Les ruifleaux dans ces pres roulant une onde claire, Les qxiittcnt a regret & fejnblcnt s'y coraplairej One ( 73 ) One happy mortal j lovm;j; and belov'd, it "' Here paft his ck} s, from Henry's camp removd ; Bcllegarde his name, her's M'as d'Eftrce ; the iftrifc Of Rome and France reach'd not theia- happy life ; In fliady forefts they cxchang'd tlicir fighs, And fdence to their joys new charms iuppHes ; By all forgotten, they the world forget, And if the rays of Phoebus rife, or fet, For them he quits the Eaft, or fecks the Weft, When tlms Bellegarde his lovely fair aiddreft : *' In thefe retreats, d'Eftr^e, tliefe lliadcs un- known, *' Let us not feek for pleafures near a throne, C'eft-la qu'une Mortelle a fon Amant cheri Prodiguoit fcs faveurs loin du camp de Henri ; D'Eftree & Bellegarde arr^tes dans leurs chaines De Rome & de Bourbon fouloient aux pieds les liauies. A I'ombre des for^ts ils foupiroicnt leurs feux, Le filence augmentoit leurs plaifirs amoureux, lis vivoient oubli^s de la Nature entiere, Le Soleil, chaque jour, rapportant la lumiere Leur fembloit pour cux feuls ^clairer I'univers. " N'alt^rons point la paix de ces profonds d^ferts, *' Vivons, chore D'Eflrce, inconnus fur lu terre VOL. ir. L ''.There ( 74 ) ** There Bourbon's fiiendfliip, or the chance of arms, " Might in our bofoms waken new alarms, " Her gUtt'ring banners Glory might dilplay, " And I too dearly for my laurels pay ; " Thy beauties which my doating eyes adore, " Whofe worth by modefty ftill Ihinesthe more, " With eafe might triumph o'er the hearts of kings,— " But ah, the fleeting jo}- which glory brings ; " The crown, the fceptre, laid beneath thy feet, " The court, whofe light eclips'd thy charms would meet, ** L'amitie de Bourbon, les hazards de la Guerre •• Auroient pu d^corer ma jeiine vanite *' D'un laurier trop frivole & trop cher achete; *' Ta grace, ton eclat, tes charmes que j 'adore, *' Et que ta modeftie erne & releve encore, *♦ Triompheroient bientot du plus puiffant des Roisj ** Mais le bruit paflager de quelques vains exploits, *• Le Sceptre, la Couronne a tes pieds abbaiffec, " La pompe de la Cour par tes yeux cclipfee, "The ( 75 ) •* The pomp of grandeur with its empty name, ^' Say, are they worth our praife, or worth our blame ? ** Thefe groves, thefe plains, give all our hearts defire, *' And roving Zephyrs fan our faithful fire ; " The birds, in pairs, our beft advifers prove, ^'They without danger, free from falfehood, ,,;)Jove; *' Thefe flocks their mutual ardour ftill maintain, *' No rigour knoAV they' from a flern difdain; ** No cold refufal to their love is made, *' Felt in this moment, in the next repaid ; **'Le n(fant des grandeurs, valent-ils nos plaifirs ? ** Tons nous rit dans ces lieux, tout parle u nos dedrs, ** Dans CCS champs, dans ces bois, tout brflle, tout foupire, ** ]^'pifeau toujours fidele aux ardeurs qu'il infpire, **' Ne fait naitre des feux que pour les partager, *' lis fe cherchent fans feinte, ils s'aiment fans danger, " De ces tendres moutons les flammes mutuellcs *' Ne les expofent point a des rigueurs cruelles, ** Les dedains, les refus ne font point faits pour eux, ** Ils font toujours aimes des qu'ils font anioureux. ** Tll« ( 76 ), ' ' The branching trees their tender arms entxvihc, ' ' To guide the- ravings cf the* gadding vine ; ' ' All hving tribes, of water or of air, ' " TTre' ffenie of Love's revi vi'ri|> ^torch declare : ' ' Here free from anguifh,-from remorfe reffioV'd, " In o^ths Ye'peated', let biir hearts bie proVW; " Ami^ cdukVft tRcrt^ T«n^w the tranfpOrt^- Me "'jS^)ilefe; ■ •-...: " Bonrbon ! be jealous — own thy grandeur Thus from his lips Bellegarde enamo^r'd ^ews What gratefut ardour in his bofom gloAvs ; " Aux tetes des ormeaux, aux bras des jeunes chenes, *' CeUe vigne s'unit par mille etroites chaines ; " Dans la plaihe de KairJ &' dans le fond des eaiix, ' ^' A tout Etre I'Amour fait fentir fes flambeaux. .>. " Coulons nos jours heureux fans remords & fans trouble, " Jurons-nous un feu pur qiie chaque inftant redoubfe " Et qu'afpiraht lui-meme a des plaifirs fi doux, " Bourbon, s'il les favoit, puifle eh etre jaloux... BeMegarde en ces mots faifdil! pzt]ier fa flame, Ses levres exprimoient les tranfports de fon ame; D'Eflr^c, (■ 77 ) D'Ertr<^e, attentive to fo bright a flame> In fecrct felt one equal, one the fame, Within her bofom rife by quick ckgrees ; Now they tlieir cyphers carve upon the trees. And mare than cyphers thus then' tribute pay : " Incceafc,' ye tdms! and on your bark difplay " Our lott« iucreas"d, and asi your branches grow„ * ' A like exipiiniion may our withes know. " Thus in thekblifs alternate they rejoice,iii n kii An(\ Echo jom'd with their's bqr fofter vtfiQ^.ft{T When lirft the mountain's tq) confeft the ihiwki^ Tliey fought the fountain, or the; ilow'ry kvin, ' Sa Maitrefle, attejjtiv^ 4 tous fes mouvemens, Eprouvoit en fecret les mcmes fcntimens. A leurs voeux mutuets tout fe rendolt fenfible ^ . ' ^. Quelquefois ils gravoient, fur I'ecorce flexible, Dans un chifre amoureux leurs noms entrelaflcs : Croiffez, s'ecri6ieiit-ils, jeunes oriricaux, croilTez ! Puiflent croTtre avec vous les feiix qui nous confunjer^t! PuilFent toujoufs brillcr les yeux qui les allument ! Leurs tranfports, leurs plaifirs qu'ils chantoient tour 3l tour, Ils les faifoient redire a\ix ^chos d'alentour. Quand TAube alloit blanchir les fommets & les plaines, Tous deux venoient s'afleoir prcs dcs claires fontaines; Whence ( 78 ) Whence the fond lover ev'ry WolToni chofe, The lily, fnow-clrop, pink, and vermeil rofe ; Thele in a wreath he form'd with am'rous fkill> While they, fo preft, a fweeter fcent diftil, \ Then ronnd her temples found a dearer place. And gave the ringlets of her hair new grace ; Its faithful mirror the clear ftream difplay'd, And ilie, with fmiles of praife, his fkill repaid ; Then favors fuch as fondeft love ihiparts, Tlieir lips uniting, clofer join'd their hearts ; The Earth in hafte her verdant carpet fpreads, '' And more than dreams kept hov'ring o'er their . heads : Un tapis renaiffant leur prefentoit des fleurs ; LS, cet Amant cheri faifoit choix des couleurs, Relevoit leur eclat, varioit les nuances, Les rofes fous fes doigts epanchoient leurs effences ; D'une t^te fi belle arrangeant les cheveux, lis les femoit de fleurs & les treffoit en noeuds j Fidelle en fes avis, Tonde etoit confultee, L'addrefle de I'Amant etoit toujours vantee ; Soudain mille baifers, mille tendres faveurs, Uniflbient, confondoient leurs levres & leurs cceurs; Lai terr6 ouvrant fon fein s'empreflbit de produire Des rofes, des oeillets qui fembloient leur fourire ; Thus ( 79 ) Thus all concurr'd to work their fond content, But who can fate foretell, or mIio prevent ? Compell'd to quit d'Eltree in all her charms, At Bourbon's call, to join his conq'ring arms ; Bellegarde obeys, but to the king reveal'd That love, which prudence better had conceal'd: *' Vain are your feafts, '' he faid, "your bought delights, *' Which fill the circle of your days and nights; *' In tliefe, great prince, I no delight can prove — " The court may know to glitter, not to love : Tout enfin concouroit a leurs plaifirs divers: Mais qui pent du deftin preflenrir les revers! Force de s'eloigner de I'objet qui I'enchante Et mande par Bourbon, trop plein de fon Amante, Bellegarde ne put lui taire fon bonheur, L'indifcret a fon Roi courut ouvrir fon coeur. ** Vos f;^A '* A lover, anxious in his abfence, fends *' To her, whom bell; he loves, his beft of friends; II marchoit au hazard, quand de tendres accen* Frapperent fon oreille au milieu du filence ; Une Belle chantoit les tourmens de I'abfence j Bourbon croit voir d'Eftree, & fes naYfs appas "^ Lui firent foufonner qu'il ne fe trompoit pas ^ '^ ' Ses graces, fon maintien, fa noble retenue, Annonfoient de fes moeurs la candeur ingenue, 11 I'aborde & lui dit, " Un Amant inquiet *• Adreffe ici mes pas vers an aimable objct; " Not ( 8^ ) •* Nor long I fought — tliy beauties, thine alone, *' Could in his bofom lix a worthy throne ; *' Thou art dEftree — no error here has place ; ** Or if I err, thine is her equal grace : *' Bellegarde in camp remains, fo wills the king, *' And for his abfence this excufe I bring; " His love I need not, or his truth impart; *'Thy form, thy wortli, muft anfwer for his heart." P'Eftree heard what he fpokJe,^T-5jle fpeaker .view'd, — .,;"'A Her hour was come ; — love, not to be fubdu'd, Je I'ai d'abord chcrclie, mais vos graces, vos chavmes, Me difent que c'cft vous qui caufez fes allarmes, Vous feule etes d'Eftree, on ne s'y m^prend pas. Si vous ne I'^tes point, vous avcz. fcs appas, Henri de votre Amant exige la pr^fence ; Je viens aupres de vous cxeufcr fon abfence ; Je ne vous dirai point I'exces dc fon ardcur, Vos vertus, vos attraits r^pondent de fon cceur.... D'Eftree a ce difcours ne fut point infenfible. Son heure ^toit venue, un penchant invincible To ( 8^ )' To this new lover gave her naicent fmile : Attacked on all fides, won by cvtv wile Of wit difplay'd, of flattery con<:eard, Againllwhofe darts what female breaftisftecrdr All thefe in Henry's words and geftiire fhone, Nor by d'Eftree's was ftudied Cbldnefs known — Difguife, delay, denial, fcorn unjuft, Where yielding fondnefs puts a feeble truftj^ Nature for tendernefs had form'd her birealV, And d'Eftree felt what nature firft impreft : Bourbon the moment faw and feiz'd with joy ; No ties of friendfliip conld his hopes deftrey ; Doit la fixer au char de ce nouvel Amant ; Tout I'attaque ; I'efprit, I'adrefle, I'enjoument ., ^^ . Relevoient de Henri les vertus eclattantes, ,j. ^^ Et d'Eftree ignoroit ces froidcurs ofFenfantes, ..^ i^ Ccs longs deguifemens, ces injuftes refus (iui dans un coeur platre tiennent lieu de vertus ; Son ame qu'ont pStric les mains de la Nature, Confervoit jufqu'alors Fa premiere culture; Bourbort en profita ; bientot il siit bannir De Belkgarde abfent le foible fouvenir, Th'ex- ( 85 ) Th' expiring cmb(feW%cr former vo\\'s Soon he tlilpersil, more AJvid flames to roufc; Belleoarde was banillid, nor did Bouilxm owe Her heart to M'hat the monarch could bcftow. With effoits vain the banifli'd lover ftrovc To claim his rights, and to regain her love ; He oame indeed her falfehood to upbraid, Their pleafures paft, his conftanCy l)€tray''d : *'Falfe one," he cry'd, "where are the times nbw flown, " When love was feated on no royal throne, A fon amour conftant il la rendit fenfible, Et ne dut point fon ca?nr a I'appas invincible De dominer un maitre & captiver fon Roi. Bellegarde efTaya de rappeller fa foi, II vint Jiii reprocher fcs trahlfbns criielles, Lui peindre leurs plaifirs, lours flanimes mutuellcs. ** Perfide, lui dit-il, qu'eft devcnu cc terns " Oil nos coeurs amoureux Tun de I'autre eontens " When ( 86 5 *' When iiiL tbclb woods with filence at our fide, * Wfe fcorn'd the wealth of courts, the pomp of .pride; ^^ Fond lo^^e then cherillfd our united flame, *' Our faith unbroken, and our wifli the fame; " And muft, I think thofe moments are no more ; *' That dear remembrance now has loft its pow'r ? " That d'Eftree's heart could e'er ungrateful prove?" Vain all attempts were to recall her love; Bourbon was mafter of her alter'd heart, Bellegarde compcllVl defpairing to depart ; ** Dedaignoient de la Cour le fade & I'opulence ? *' A I'ombre de ces bois dans les bras du filence, /; l- •' Le tcndre Amour filoit nos jours & nos plaifirs, -U: ** Au bonheur de nous voir nous bornions nos defirs, ** Ces momens font pa(res...Ah! I'aurois-je pii croirc ** Qil^ vous dilfiiez un jour en perHre la memoire?... " Qiie I'ingrate d'Eftree oubliat mon amour?..., Valns efforts! fa douleur n'obtint pas le retour D'un coeur deja rerapli dont Bourbon etoit maixre : Defefpere, confus & n'ofant plus paroitre To ( 87 ) To lontly fpots Avliicli knew liis happier ftate In grief ret ir'd to curfe his adveife fate; 111 dreary deferts ihunii'd all human race, And told to rocks the tale of his difgrace. " Dans les funeftes lieux temoins de fes malheurs, MaudilFant fon deflin, fuivi de fes douleurs, Dans des deferts afFreux il d^roba fes traces, Aux arbres, aux rochers raconta fes difgraces. 'i'l FROM ( 88 ) FROM L'ART D'AUIER DE BERNARD, EN SIX PIEDS. Time now the reign difclos'd of noblcft fume, When the firft Francis in the fhades of Shame Her dark abode forc'd Ignorance to take, And gave the dawn of arts o'er France to break ; Diftinguilli'd merits with juft honours crown'd, Fix'd in his court their place unrivall'd found ; Mars and Minerva there united flione, To wave their banners, and fupport his throne : Le terns, ouvroit ce regne a jamais annobli. Oil Francois diflipant les ombres de I'oubli, Fit luire fur les Arts I'aurore fortiinee Qui promettoit Louis a la France etonnee ; Des graces, des plaidrs, du merite eclattant. La Cour de ce Heros fut I'afile conftant ; Minerve & le Dieu Mars, foutenant fa couronne, Couverts de fes lauriera s'affeyoient fur fon trone. .. Yet ( 89 ) Yet he of love felt all the pleafmg darts, Mlien by atklrefs, and their attract i\^e arts, Two diffYent beauties each employ 'd their fkilti To mould the monarch to their fep'rate will. Etampe, the younger, adds to nafcent channs That languid look which proudeft llrength dif- arms, But with a ftubborn and intriguing mind, A jealous fpirit weakly proud combin'd ; Poitiers with riper beauty met his eyeS) And different charms produc'd the fame furprize : L' Amour lui fit fentir I'atteintc de fes traits ; Par un genie adroit, par leurs brillans attraits Deux Belles a lui plaire employant leur etude, De fon cOEur tour i tour fixoient I'incertitude. Etampe, la plus jeune, a des charmes naiflans, A la tendre douceur de fes yeux languiffans, Joignoit un efprit vif, intriguant, indocile, Une ame vaine, altiere, a s'allarmcr facile : Diane oflfroit aux yeux d'aufli puiiTans appas ; Etampe eflt peu d'attraits que Diane n'eut pas ; VOL. II N The C .90 > The fniilc* /[^f iiafcare, anej t|ve visiles of, art, In each poffeft an un deckled part ; Pbiticrsi at:len.»th tlie glf)rious palm obtain'd. And pow'r undoubted ofer her rival gain'd ; She on her brow was able to conceal The wrongs; au,d infulta fli^ was dooni'd to fed ; With cahnnefs undifturb'd had learn'd to bear Tliat proud Etanipe ihould rival claims declare ; Her anxious fears within herfelf reftrain'd, Shunn'd ftcrn reproach, and ufelefs pray'r dif- dain'd: , j M -iom ^ilutij^ 'tkH ^_ rx'jwbtjiiA Les ris, les agremens, les graces naturelles, Indecis, fufpendui", fe partageoient pour elles j Leurs charmes difFerens frappoient les yeux furpris j Diane cependant fiit emporter le prix, . ,, Et fut dans leur credit mettre un long intervale j _ , ^, Elle refut du ciel par-deflTus fa rivale L'heureux art de cacher fous un paifible front Les tranfports inquiets que fait naitre un aftront ; Elle pouvoit fouffrir avec indifference Qu' Etampe fous fes yeux, briguat la preference, Ses mouvemens jaioux n'ont jamais eclate. La plainte ou le reproche efit blefle fa fierte ; •T / .Vic^oiy ( S' ) YitFtovv flutters, ou iidjiended win^sj »i'r( * ' '' And tlatitltingvliopes by itriurns deceitful brill OS, Atiart'iEtampc apptar'd to fix herlchaiii, And iearlpls o'er the vancjuiihd tlaucis icign ; ' Butifoon PoitiorvS, well /kill d hcr'p^jf^i^ to irie, Regaind tUe fondnefs .\vihkh^ilie tetHwd to lofe'; A\'hatcv^er nature fun^leicould inipiVc, ;- vfl i' '* Or art iriveot, to fiin lovo s laiii^uid iireJ^-^^'W ** Looks, language, langoiirs, tender doubts, and drefs, Whofe niodeft claiin tnp lobfeft mjnas confu^s^, ,');o! ' ■ ^_ . •• b.;;, . ; ■■ I. • :. t -^ .^;l>2rX All was on either fide by e^ch prepared, . _ And fickle love a changing empire iharo : Entre les ^cux ;jwrtis iK viiloire flottaate •! Vint les flatter long-tenis, & trompant Iqur attente £tampe dans fes fers encluinqit fon Am^^nt, £t fembloit a I'abri d'un, iV( " Bow to my trimnph, and her fall deplore; "Too lojig forbearance has weak fdcncfc tried-Mf ' ',^iom Ij attack his heart with conicious pride ; *' The king to-morrow Ihall be lier's ©r; mine, " Whofe heart I fix for ever or refign :" i i ■ •■'.''<,;■ i ; ■ She fpake, then hiding what her rage infpires. To fome fequefter'd fpot Etampe retires ; Night, thou fond witnels and retreat of love, Whofe hours too rapid for luch tranfports move, : !> 'irr! m ;■ ■• ' '■- - /!■ ' ' ' . . .' . " C'en eft trop, dit Etampe, il faut ceder ou vaincre, *' II faut de fa defaite une fois la convaincre, ** Diane doit apprendre a fe voir effacer, •''*. . " Siir fes propres debris 11 faut la terraffer, '^ ** J'ai garde trop long-tems un indigne filence; " Demain j'atta'que un coeur qui trop long-tems balance^ ** Demain, ou j'abandonne ou je fixe le Roi, *' L'Amant va prononcer entre Diane & moi..... Elle dit, & cachant le depit qui I'infpire, ,^^ Dans un reduit fecret Etampe fe retire. Nuit, temoin des plaifirs, afile des Amans, Nuir, quefquefois trop coiirte i Ig^ir^ contenteraei;^, 4Jt>il%'/ How ( 93 ) IIow flow to her impatience was thy courfe ! lu flghs and tears from Sorrow's flreaming- iburce She fpeaks to SHenee, fells her former woes, Mliile Sleep denies the balm of his repofe ; Thinks flie beholds the happy fair belov'd ; Thinks it is day ^' though day be far remov^tL'i>/ Aurora no\M her purple beam difplays,;x nO Earth, feas, and air, enlivens with her rays, t^ Prepares the paflage.fcir th' approaching Sun^ji^f Whofe oonq'ring darts her timid rofes flum ; / padii darkened objecoiich,'{^ndito:8ietnnirTOr tlies,; il x Wbde flattJ'riftg'Jpoliih addedicfcharms fuppHesilT On Egy^i;' 8 -'mf#ie 'banks ^of'^ld'ador'd,-'^'^' A Gerij'ife<1\M^ife^V'4if'%eJ^i-i^r'd pi ,ihiii3^ ProHews his natoe ; fr6^ii be^ *o Mr^l he luiliiiJI Now flows ii'ri\^iV'r!(^^^ a ilarrte Ji^ Inim's ylodW With'Hik *m6re 'potent, fought by A>ig!ht and' !day{ With' us, o'er 'besttttyimlds afev'tdgh fw^y |>nA Sur I'aile des Z^'p'Hfrs s'tlevoknt'en'miSges-; ^"^ Les oifeaux amoiVfeux rcdoublotent leiirs' raina'ges ^ ^'''' Etampe enfin s*^ve:i*lk, artf^rite 5'^fe' Va^e'i', '''' ''^ *' *'*''* Etampe avoit dormi, ntars d'lin fbmrn^H- lS^e\r|'""'^^ ''^ _,. Elle fort du duve^, plus seduifafite erttiire • ' '^"^^ ^[^'^ Et confulte tf^'iiiii-blr ^ue fa -bekil^e "(Jedbr^. ' ' ' '^^^ II exifte un Gifnie en tout terns f^vere, Aux rives de PfeifyptiS autVefois'ldoVe; ' '-"'^ Protee etoit fori nohi : flamme ildeveno'it'mart)rc ; ,.,■ ,...'^; . . - , _ ,',-■' <;■' Y Ours, il couloit en fleiiv?^, aigle il cha'ngeoit en arbire"; ~ •»;» ^ i , , ' ' j^ r Plus puiflcint fur hos borcfsi miit & jour confuUe, Ce Dieu dans rtby'(?i"irt\a^ rejgrie fur la beaute j ■'*^^ ^^-^ fiO To ( 95 ) To Beauty's empire all his caie ; / And ftrives to prop the pile \vhieh;Time deftroys : No^^' Hope, iiow Rigoui^ vMhintieflant wiles, . , Deforms his brow with frowns^ or decks with fmiles; " *♦ A thoufand altars in his worfliip blaze, 'V AVJicre cv'ry tribute either India lays ; But more the blviifli pretended, falfe difdain, Attempt to pleaie, and animate his reign ; By ikilful charm whicli no deceit declares, Art in his temple Nature's femblance wears ; With pearls and rubies is his altar fpread, And fweeteft perfumes dripping odours ihed ; Ses foins font employes a la rendre durable, II cherche & reparer fa perte irreparable ; Tantot il eft efpoir, tantot il eft rigueiir, II paroit enjofiment, il redevient langucur ; II compte millf aiitels ; les M^xicains fauvages Ont, pour lea cnricher, moiflbnne leurs rivages ; Les coups d'fleil, Ifs d^dains, le fourire appreti Font leurs efforts pour plaire a la Divinite ; Par Ic preftige adroit d'une douce impoflure, L'Art dans fon fanfluaire eft pris pour la Nature, t)e pedes, de rubis fcs autels parfemes, D'eflenccs & d'odeurs font toujours parfumis. Near ( 96 y Near them the deep, or faintet rofe5 prefides. While in a glais the god the cheat derides : To this eiiclianter, and his richeft ftores, Etanipe directs her ftep, his aid implores, ? Who footh'd her grief, and wip'd away her tears. While heauty proud in borrow'd pomp appears. Now to the god's retreat, in loofe attire, She flies, to raife love's languiihing defire; Around her, Hope, with well-dilTembled grace, With Youth, and frolic Sparts, their footftep trace ; Joignant le vermilion, le rouge & la cerufe, Ce Dieu dans un miroir ri de fa proprc rufe. De ce prompt Enchanteur implorant le fecours, C'eft. a fon art puiffant qu' Etampe avoit recours, II calmoit fes depits, il effiiyoit fes larmcs, Et dans ce jour pompeux il lui preta ces charmes. Dans un lieu retire, loin des regards mortcis, Demi-nue, elle avance au pied de fes autels, Les Amours enfantins, I'Efperancc, les Graces, Jja Jeunefle & les Jeux voltigeoent fur fes traces ; He ( 97 ) He read her tliougJits, lie liftenVl to her prayV,' Iliinfelf arrange! the ringlets of her hair, Defire he feated on her panting hreaft, And gave her looks each animating zeft ; But iiiore than all his hands a robe prepare To clothe the form of this ihfulting fair ; A robe fo brilliant, that Aurora's Iky Could with its luftre fcarce prefume to vie ; A robe, where azure and embroider'd gold. Amid the glitt'ring genis their ftation hold ; But oh, what tears of anger and difgrace Will foon the luftre of thofe hues eiface ! Le Dieu lut dans fon ame, il entendit fes vccux, Lui-mfime fur fon front arrangeant fes cheveux, II en drefle avec foin la ftruflure flottante; II place les Defirs fur fa gorge ^clattante ; II prete a fes regards des charracs irritans, Et fouffle fur fon teint les ris & Ic printems; Mais de tant de faveurs, 6 favcur la plus rare'! De fes adroites mains il la couvre, il la pare D'une robe (jamais le ciel ne fut fi beau Quand I'Aurorc aux Humains vient prater Ton flambcauy D'une robe oh I'az.ur, Tor & les broderies, Etincellent au loin du feu des pierrerics; Que de cris doulouretix ! i^ue de torrens de pleurs Vont bientot obfcurciir fes plus riches couleursl VOL. II. o Lefs ( 9« ) Lefs fatal was the robe iVlcides wore, /.ftw Lp^s rank the poilbn which that preleut bore; T\kt eye of Proteus Mas itfclf beguifd, And he, with malice, at the niifehief fmil'd, AVhile thus Etanipc, elate with vain conceit, Prepared thy anguilh, and thy fworn defeat, "What were thy thoughts, Poitiers, in flumljcr nurft? Appear in hafte, Sleep's dang'rous fetters burft; What reft detains thee in its bands fecure; Etanipe defies thee, deems lier triumph fuic ; Revenge to her imparts his pow'rful arms ; Can Love defend thee with as potent charms ? Du perfide NefTus le prefent homicide Porta nioins de poifons dans les veines d'Alcide. L'oeil en eft ebloui, Protee en tut furpris, Bt parut s'applaudir par iin malin fouris. Tandis que de fon art Etampe fatisfaitc^ Preparoit vos ennuis, juroit votre defaite» Qiic faifiez-vous alors dans les bras du fommeilt Diane, paroiflez, hatez votre reveil^ Quel repos ennemi, quel fonge vous arretc ^ Etampe yous defie, & fa gloire s'apprfite; L' Amour vient lui preter fes yeujc ^biouiflans, L' Amour vous garde-t'il des attraits plus puiffan&» Now ( 99 ) Nowfiird with hoj)c\ uiul certain of fiiccefs, Ill firm reliance on her youth and drcfs, KtamjK' proceeds to Love's difputed field, Aiid fcarcc her drefs can to her beauty yield ; Thiis 'mid the flow'rs, wliich lliinc with humbler rays, Its gaudy leaves the piony difplays : At lengtli fli'appears before the monarcli's eyes, AflTumes her feat, nor fpcaks- but Avith her fighs, Then with a look compos'd and ftudied tone, Thus makes her threats in ftern refentment known : Dcja pleine d'efpoir & sure de fes cliarmes Erampe alloit tenter le pouvoir de fes armcs ; Elle fort an grand jour & marche avec fiert^, Sa robe etinccllante ^gale fa bea'ute. Tel le I.)'^ eclattant leve fon front fupcrbe Parmi Ics autrcs fleurs qui fe cachent fous I'herbe. Elle paroit enfin aux yeax de fon Amant, Elle s'uflied, foupire & fe tait un moment. Puis compofant fes yeux, fon gcde & fes paroles Et n^eUnt I'artifice i dcs plaintes fri voles, *' 1st ( 100 ) " I^'tnotenougli thy faithlefs heart ilipukl break *' The laws my better love once cleign'd to make? .j *' Perhaps thou knowTt not ^\'hy I tempt my fate,/ " K^iow then, one laft adieu fliall fix u"\y l^atei^pc " And if thou cairft thy treafons to thy mind, " Soon thou the caufe of thi? refolve wilt find iff " Ungrateful falfe one ! ne'er AV'ill I betray " My bofom's lawful pride, which fcorns tofway *' Thy worthlefs heart, or fue fuch prize to gain, * ' Or give my love fincere when thou doft feign : " Shall I in torments never-ending pine? " In all thy vows was this thy fell defign ? ** ** En eft-ce aflez, dit-elle, & votre coeur fans foi j *' Eft-il las de donner & d'enfreindre la loi ? •* Peut-etre ignorez-vous le deflein qui m'amene, " II faut par un adieu confirmer votre haine, ** Si vous vous rappellez toutes vos trahifons, " Ingrat, de cet adieu vous faurez les raifons... ,'t ** Perfide ! avez vous cru qu'infidelle a ma glpire " Et d'un cceur'trop leger difputant la vittoire, ** Je languirois ici dans d'eternels tourmens, ^ ** Le delFein de tromper di/loit-il vos fermens ? ''Or ( 101 ) *^' Or did'it thou keep my fatal fonder love. .■ , ' MAfyirival's trophy in Jicr boiift to prove? f ) * *' That rival, where fome virtues weak as vain, *' Ne'er catn the loft affiled charms regain : *' What, yet no anfwer? While perforce I weep, ^ ^ Still do thy lips a fullen filence keep ? "^ ** Thou turn ft afide thine eyes; — my tranfports true J«» i-j^^ * ' Still on ihy \WhTt a loft attempt purfue : "^^'^^ " Well then, thofelips where broken vowsrefide, " Whofe fmiles contemptuous injure! love dc** ride, ^-^^^'^ *' oil bien r?(crYipZ;rVPus ma tendreffc fatalc " A fervir de trophee aux feux d'une rivale, " D'une rivale en qui- quelqucs fauffes vertus ** Ne pcuvent reparer les traits qu'elle n'a plus:... " Vous ne repondez ricn, barbare ! votre bouclic ** Affe£te en ce moment un (ilence farouche, " Vous detournez vos yeux mes larmes, mcs tranfports " Tentcnt fur votre coeur d'inutiles efforts, ** He bien, ou cctte bouche a feindre trop habile ** Qui silt I'art dc feduire une Amante facile *' Sliall ( 102 ): . *' Shall to Poitiers her banifliment affign, *' Or, — muft I clofe? pronounce her fate or mine." She fpakc, and fpeaking not lefs fair appears, When turning pale, with well diffembled tears, She calls on Death; — confus'd the monarch (lands, His heart near yielding to her ftern commands ; When to his fight Poitiers advanced, in drefs Of graces fimple, which avoid excefs ; Calm fhe approaches with that modeil air, Which beft, to gain the heart, becomes the fair; Va prefcfire a Diane un exil cternel, Ou bien...puis-je achever...qu*ordonnez- vous? cruel.... A ces mots, qii'animoit la force de fes charmes, EUe fe tait, palit, r^pand de feintes larmes, Elle appelle la mort.„fon Amant eft trouble; Kile alloit I'emporter dans fon cneur ebranl^, Qnand Diane panit, Diane a qui les Graces N'infpirerent jamais I'orgueil ni les menaces, Tranqiiille, elle s'avance avec cet air vainqiietir s let Svbaris eonvey Tir enervate Ibftnefs of a languid lay ; In' plaintive voice let Amadis rehcarfe, On Lignon\s banks, his vapid frozen verfe ; Athano's pencil Ihall in mine declare, How love is pidlur'd like fome blooming fair, "Whofe charms with rapture fliall attract our fight. True, though embellifli'd, plac'd in faireft liglit. Qu'ici 1' Amour epurant Ion lyfteme, Nud, mais decent, plaife a la Pudcur mcme; Que Venus donne ^ Vefta des defirs : Je veux des mceurs conipagnes des plaifirs. Qvi'a d'autres Chants foit aufli rcfervee, Dc Sybaris la mollefle enervie, Des Amadis les refpefls infenfes, Et du Lignon les bords toujours glaces. Dans mes portraits, Albane plus fidelle, Peignons 1' Amour comme on peint une Belle; D'un jour aimable ^clairons fon tableau, Vrai, mais flatt^j tel qu'il eft, mais en beau. Love, ( 1*2 ) Love, as I deem it, has its deep-felt joys, Itfelf forgetting, and the world's light toys ; A fentiment fubmiffive, fond, fincere, Whofe flame unquench'd will ftedfaft perfevere ; Where hope and awe fuftain an equal part ; A flame from th' eyes, eledric to the heart, From th' heart to fenfe, which fertile in defires, From pleafure ftill increafe of ftrength acquires ; Which when moll happy feels the wiili for more. The god whom fofteft Latian bards adore, And I with them ; — thrice is that bofom bleft By which from Heav'ii this treafure is poffeft. J*appclle Amour, cette atteinte profondc, L'entier oubli de foi-meme & du monde, Ce fentiment foumis, tendre, ingenii, Prompt, mais durable, ardent, mais foutenu, Q^'emeut la crainte & que I'efpoir enflamme, Ce trait de feu qui des yeux pafle a I'ame ; De I'ame aux feas ; qui fecond en defirs, Dure & s'augmente au comble des plaifirs ; Qui plus heureux n'en eft que plus avide : Voila le Dieu de TibuUe & d'Ovide : ,.^ Voila le mien. Heureux cent fois le cceur Qiii tient du Ciel cet afcendant vainqueur! CANTO ( 113 ) CANTO I. Now let us trace the foiirce from earlieft years :— Behold youth's harmlefs fmiles, its genuine tears ; Doat on its language, void of vain pretence^ Its air unfeign'd, its undetermin'd fenfe ; — The youthful beauty, credulous, yet coy, Dares not avow the rifing dawn of joy, But fleals, yet trembling at unknown alarms, A downwaid glance upon her nafcent charms ; Blulhes, yet longs to try an infant love, Fears to be taught, yet wifhes to improve ; En remontant aux fources du bel age, Vpis I'innocence, adore fon langage, Les pleurs naifs, le fourire enfantin, L'air ingcnu, le regard incertain. Quand les Beautes credules & craintivcs Tiennent encor leurs careffes captives j Quand la Nature ^piant tous fes fens, Baiffe les yeux fur fes tr^fors naiflans, Rougit de plaire en chcrchant a feduire, Et veut enfemble ignorer & s'inlhruire; VOL. II. Q Such » . ( 114 ) Such is fifteen — and fuch the clay-fjyiing nnld Of new-horn beauty, yet an artlefs child, ^^ hofe charms on health of loleate bloom depend While modeft graces their bell fuccour lend't Succeeding years their treafures more difplay, And give to love its more enlightened ray, Filling the promifc of the lovely morn, While blighter beams the pcrfed day adorn ; Here all the beauties love is doom^l to know, Complete their luftre, and no longer groAV : Then the light fpirit Ibars on radiant wings, And evVy want a new enjoyment brings ; Voila quinze ans. L'aube aimable du jour, C'eft une belle, enfant comme 1' Amour, Qui n'a d'attraits que fa fraicheur nouvelle, Et fa pudeur, des graces la plus belle. L'age qui fuit, developpant les traits, Offre a 1' Amour de plus piquans attraits. Au doux eclat qu'a produit cette aurore, Succede un jour plus radieux encore ; Et tous les fruits qu'un Amant peut cueilUr Ont acheve de naitre & d'embellir. L'eflbr eft pris, I'ame a fenti fes ailes ; Tous fes befoias font des f^tes nouvellcs ; Thfe ( U5 y Th^icart In{lru6led can its wiflies own, And twenty years to rapture gives the crown ; At thirty winters Time liis footftep fliows, And beauty lofes, as more ripe it grows ; No longer young, it liill excites dclire, But craves the ftudied help of rich attire ; The toilet now difplays its borrow'd aid, And ev'ry charm more charming ftill is made ; Each art of pleafmg, and each wifh to pleafe^ Exerts its force in more intenfe degrees ; By time mature, increas'd the fenfes glow, And what at firft was love, is rapture now ; Le coeur inftruit d^mfile fes defirs ; C'eft i vingt ans qu'on a tous les plaifirs, Dc trente hivers le temps marque les traces ; La Beaute perd cc qu'on ajoute aux Graces? On n'eft plus jeune, on eft belle pourtant ; On met plus d'art aux pieges que Ton tend : C'eft k tiffii des intrigues fecrettes, L'art des atours, I'arfenal des toilettes : Le foin de plaire, & la foif de jouir, Redouble encor, loin de s'^vanouir. Par I'age acorus, les fens ont plus d'empire : C'«5toit r Amour, c*eft alors fon delire v IlllpC- ( "6 > Impetuous, ardent, tlie deep-piercing rays Of more than noon in boundlefs fplendor blaze. Lefs young, ftill beauty can our thoughts en- gage, When fpeech and conduct mark the fruits of age ; Talents acquir'd, and charms not all its own, Can ftill embelliih Beauty's evening throne ; Love faithful yet to what it once defir'd, Can make the faded cheek not unadmir'd ; And ftill maintaining to the laft its pow'r, Ev'n on Time's ruins ftrews a grateful flow r. j4> 8>>. sl^^b tjeiifen. V Ardent, avide, impetueux, hardi, » ' Cell un Soleil brulant en fon midi. Moins jeune encor, la Beaute nous engage, L'art du maintien, les graces du langage, Les dons acquis, les charmes empruntes, Donnent un luftre au couchant des Beautes. L' Amour, fidele Sl leurs flammes conftantes, Se gliffe encor fous les rides naiflantes, Et pour regner jufqu'aux derniers inflans. Seme de fleurs les ruines du temps. The The budding rofe in liaite at morn to blow, Lends to Aurora a more vivid glow ; Clytie at eve, attends in richer robe - ■ > On Phoebus, quitting this terreftrial globrei' ' ' At difF rent ages, ev'ry age can pleafe, To ev'ry tafte a fep'rate feaft decrees j r . ... ...> Hence love, to rule ineeirant in our hearts, Has fiird his quiver with cxhauftlefs darts : Some eyes their foothing langour can difpenfe, With drooping eyelids wake each warmer fcnfe; Others more lively triumph in their turn. And like the lightning, can both blaze and burn; La jeune Rofe, en fe preffant d'eclore. Fait au matin, le charme de I'aurore : ' ' Clytie, au foir, dans fon riche appareil, *^ Fait I'ornement dii coucher du Soleil. ^ Tout plait un jour, tout age a fes delices, '''^ Ces dons divers font faits pour nos caprices} ' Par eux 1' Amour variant fes attraits, Forme un carquois d'in^puifables traits. 11 eft des yeux dont la langueur touchunW °^^^J^ Penetre un coeur, I'amollit 8c I'encJjantc : D'autres plus vifs I'cnflamment k leur tour : ^ Ce font les traits, les foudrcs de 1' Amour. Here Here awful iiiajefty of form maintains ,t,. ; Its empire ; here a flowing foftncfs reigns ; Here rich luxuriance boafts its fwelling pride ; The lilies here, the rofes there prefide ; On all Love knows his varied form to fet ; laura was fair, Corinna a brunette. CANTO I. When from the fight we thus receive the dart, Then may we fix the balance of our heart ; The light coquet, by her attractive eafe, Will pleafe us ever by her wifh to pleafe ; L'une a dii port I'elegante noblefle, L'autre une taille ou languit la mollefle ; Plus d'embonpoint embellit celle-ci. La font les lys, les rofes font ici. Chaque Beauie fait un lot a chacune ; Laure etait blonde, & Corinne etait brune. QjJAND roeil a vu, quand ce trait eft lanoe, Le choix d'un cceur veut etre balance. Une coquette, & brillante & leg^re, Plaira toujaurs par fon etude a'glairc. With ,,!'r ( 119 ) Witli chace more ardent we purfue the maid, Ingenuous, tender, bailiful, and afiakl ,* When by her k)ver in her fears reliev'd, Iler behig more delights her, more perceived ; The pride of prudes we triumph to difarm. Nor is the Myftic to Heav'n only warm ; The fportive fair can give more lively joy, The penfive more our ferious thoughts employ ; Sometimes caprice and fcorn well-feign 'd I love, But ne'er let paiTion drowfy langour prove : Chloe our heart with lively worth alTails, Now grace of fpeech, now cultur'd tafte prevails ; Tendre, naive, egale en fa pudeur, ha. fimple Agnes excite plus d'ardeur, lorl'qu'un Amant I'aidant a. fe connaitre Par le plaifir lui fait fentir fon 5tre. La Prude anime, & plait a defarmer. Une Myftique excelle i bien aimer. Dans le plaifir la folic qui s'enflammc. Met plus d'efprit, la R^veufe plus d'ame. J'aime un caprice & de feintes rigueurs : Sauvons I'amour du pavot des langueurs. De I'enjoument Egle fait fon partage : Life a U gpQt j Charite le langage : • Delphiiie ( 120 ^ Delphine is filent, but her fpeaking eye, %:i/ ^lore than by words that filence can Ihpply. Oa three eflates of age your choice decide r-r Ilere youth invites you in its maiden pride ; The flow'r ftill waits for Summer, to difplay Its open'd foliage to the beam of day ; , Nor always Hymen can his torch oppofe ; Paffion from ftri6l controul more ardent glows; The jealous hufband but infures his fate. And fraud will follow when the chain we hate. Difperfe the cloud the widow feems to wear, Reap the ripe harveft of th' experienced fair ; Cloe fe tait ; mais I'amour, dans fes yeux. Met fon efprit qui n'en parle que micux. Sur trois etats decide ton hommage : Cloe t'appelle aux moiifons du bel age; Cell une fleur qui n'attend que le jour, ,.^ ^j^ Qui doit I'ouvrir au fouffle de ramour. ; j^j,"^ Celle qu'Hymen veul fouftraire a tes amies, ^jj^Q Ainiant par fraude, aime avec plus de charmes^ ,/ Et fecouant les chalnes d'un jaloux, Sert mieux I'Amant, pour mieux tromper TEpoux ; D'un deuil frivole ecarte le nuage, Et glane au champ du tranquille veuvage ; - In ( 121 ) In that afylum foon the pray'r is heard, Aud no delay from wayward pride is fear'd, Women poffeft of all which wins the heart, Their charms embellifh by each cultur'd art ; In evVy branch their varied talents ufe, Venus inftrucls, the Graces court the mufe; Sappho, Corinna, now may riv^als find, As bright in beauty, and as rich in mind ; f In gay confufion on the toilet found, Books and bandeaux, the lute and lace abound ; Nor ev'n the compafs, and the fplicre, difdain To mix with toys of drefs their ferious train : C'eft un afyle oft fans peine ecout^, L'amant heureux jouit en liberty. Ce fexe aimable a tout ce qu'on adore ; Tons les talens rembeHiflTent encore. Sur tons les Arts fes beaux ycux font ouverts ; Venus inftruit, les Graces font des vers ; Sapho, Corinne ont des Soeurs dignes d'ellcS. Vois I'ambigu des toilettes des Belles, Tout ce qui fert I'efprit & les appas, Livres, atours, bijoux, lyres, compas, Couvrent I'autcl de Flore & de Thalic. I'ourquoi blamer cc que Icur cuke allic } VOL. 11. 1^ In In tbcfe pv.ffuits triuiitphstnt Cupiits join, ^Vhom with hk tims Alhuno might defigti ; One might the huiband's jealous guard dete^i, And through his glafs his fecret aim.dired; Another bring his ralh delires to rule, Define his pleafure in Platonic fchool ; Here with the voice the inllrunient confpires, And here the pencil paints what th'eye admires: Purfue, ye lovers, what with friendly aid, IVIay for your loves an added caufe be made* I know the charm which fondnefsmay produce; I've feen my Daphne in the brilliant juice Ce font les jeux des amours triomphans ; Albane eut peint ces folatres enfans ; L'un, pour fervir une flamme fecrette, Centre iin jaloux dirige une lunette ; L'autre en un coin calcule fes defirs, Ou traite a fond I'eflence des plaifirs. Tel a fa voix joint un clavier fonore ; Tel autre efquiife un objet qu'il adore. Suivez, Amans, ce qui plait aux amours: L'art donne a tout fes utiles fecours. Je fai quel charme il prfite a la tendreflTe, J'ai vu Daphn^, Sirene enchanterefl'e, . Which Wlilcli Bacchus yields, immerge licr vermeil lip, Accept his goblet, and with caution Tip; I've Iben my Daphne, on fomeflow'ry lawn, Bou^id with the lightnefs of the Iportivx? fa,wf]^ , Or in more meafur'd ftep, and fofter ^race, ^ In fmoother curves the lines of beauty tr^,c, In rapture's form her waving arms advance, And give new honours to the fpeaking dajice : Thus in the realms of Joye, with joy increas'd,' The youthful Hebe decorates the feaft ; Or thus more tender, more enchanting moves, Parifot fmiling on the youth fhe loves. — — rrr/r ^ .-Soils un treillage oil Bacchus eft vainqueur, Boire, verfer & chanter fa liqueur. J'ai vu Daphne, Terpficore Icgcre, Sur un tapis de rofe & de fougere, S'abandonner k des fons pleins d'appas, Voter, languir, & mefurant fes pas, Tendre au plaifir les bras qu'cUe deploie. Telle en verfant le neflar 8c la joie, D*un pas Hger fur la voflte des cieux, La jeune HeW danfe aux feftins des Dicux. Ou telle encor, plus vive & plus toucluntc^ Salld pour&tt Anxadis qui ,1'^Qchante^ f CANTO ( 124 ) CANTO r. Others will wear your chains with nobler pride. Content in filence deareft bUfs to hide ; True lovT, whofe conftant ftream unerring flows, Is like the fmooth and limpid lake, which knows No rude commotion from the tempeft's wing. Which needs no fuccour from a foreign fpring, Still from itfelf unwearied ftore fupplies. Deigns not to fmk, nor yet afpires to rife : Falfe love alTumes the torrents fwelling form. And owes its treafure to fomc fleeting ftorm. D'autres fauront, a vos fers attaches, S'enfevelir dans des plaifirs caches, four en tracer une image fenfible, L'amour conftant eft comme un Lac paifible» Profond, egal, toujours beau, toujours clair, Inacceflible aux tempetes de I'air, Q£i, fans chercher le tribut d'autres ondes,^ Se regenere en fes fources fecondes. L'amour volage eft fcmblable au torrent, II tombe, U roule, il fuit en niurmurairtf^: W^bich ( 125 ) AVhich leads its wandering waters far afiray. And borne in tumult lafts but for a day. Let us purfue the more attempered flow. To happy choice our furer blefling owe ; True love its paillion with refpe6l reveals, Or ftill its thoughts in tender fear conceals; A look the lover's modeft wiih can blefs, He hopes but little, and prefumes ftill lefs ; On conftant faith he ftrews the blooming flow'r, And fees the blifs fuprenie by Fancy's pow'r; Ilejected, glows with undiminiili'd fire, Nor cools when triumph crowns the fond defirc. Tari bientot dans fa fource egarde, ^e d'un oragc, 11 en a la duree. Suivez Ics Huts dont le calme eft certain: D'un heureux choix depend votrc dedin. Par fon refpeiit I'amour vrai fe declare ; C'eft lui qui craint, qui fe fuit, qui s'egare. Qui, d'un regard fait fon fuprfime bien, Defire tout, pretend peu, n'ofe rien ; Qui, fur les flfeurs, fait marcher la conftance^ Voit tout en beau, met tout en jouilTance ; Dans les revers, arm^ de plus de feux, Dans les faveurs, emprelfi quoiqu'heureux. CANTO ( :^26 ) CANTO U. .:..J |„.^ Of all the bleffmgs Heav n to earth imparts, Beft in our eyes, and deareft to our hearts, Is that pure eflence, tliiit tranfcendant chaim, Whofe animating pow'rs the bofom warm, The gift of pleafnig, to be wiili'd for more Than all which Avit or beauty has in ftore ; O'er all the features we its influence trace. It gives to beauty its enliv'ning grace, Artlefs attracts, and binds without a chain, Withaut wJiQJii jQiccour love itfelf were vain, Des dons du Ciel, le plus cher a nos yeiix Eft ce rayon de I'eflence des Dieux, Cet afcendant, ce charme inexprimable, Ce trait divin par qui I'horame eft aimable, Ce don de plaire, enfin,, plus fouhaLte, (iue n'eft I'efprit;, plus ifur gue la beaute. Sur tous nos traits, il irnprime fes traces; II donne a tous le colotis des graces, Seduit fans ^rt, gnchaine fans effort, De la tendrfiife eft I'aiman le ^plus foru ^ To ( 12? ) To all our efforts acids the vital foul, And fonit^ a hamiony which birwis the mUoIc.::! You who this charm of charader poliefs, Ybii of tore's realms the monarchs I coft^feffi AVitli tnis we heed not pierce tli' infernal fliade^ Kor '^eii tii^ talifinan, or philtrc^S afcl*;-^ Here no Caiiidla, no arm'd Hell Sie want, Be Av'oithy tovc, and IbVfe your fu it Nvill grant ; He who knows AVell to love, ftill merits more ; ' The feeling heart is Whit we moft adore ; C'eft unc autre ame a nos reffbrts iinie, Qui d'un beau tout, compofe i'harmonic. Vous, qui portez ce caraftcre heureux, Je V0U3 fais Roi de I'empire amoufeux. Sans pdnetrer jufqu'au fombre rivage ; Sans talifman, fans philtre, fans brcuyagc. Sans Canidie & tout I'enfer arnie. Soyez aimable, & vous fcrez aime. Qui fait aimer, eft plus aimable encore ; Un CQcur fenfible, eft ce qu'un coeur adore : Beauty ( 128 ) Beauty may pleafe, but delicacy gains Its lailing charm, and forms the firmeft chains-. O thou to whom Love yields its fov'reign pow'r, Let boldnefs ftill improve the favor'd hour ; Aim well thy fliafts, and let no doubts intrude To damp thy conqueft, — all fhall be fubdu'd: The moft rebellious are not moft unkind ; She M'ho diffemblesj flie, whofe wav'ring mind Expecls her conqueror, with flame conceard, ,. Contends, with hope that fhe at laft may yield. La beaute plait foutenons fes attraits Du fentiment, le plus beau de fes traits. ^ Toi, dont I'amour augmentera les charmes, Qu'un peu d'audace accompagne tes armcs; Lance tes traits, frappe & So'is convaincu (iu'on peut tout vaincre, & tout fera vaincu. La plus rebelle eft fouvent la plus tendre. Telle qui feint, & qui languit d'attendre, D'un feu couvert, brulant a« fond du coeur Combat d'un air qui dcmande un vainqueur. Ye ( 129 ) Ye haughty beauties ! prudes of evVy age, Who boalt your vain caprice, my precepts fage Attend ; this oracle of Fate is true, Love will in time your utmoft pride fubdue ; The bleflings then which Spring affords, employ, The vengeful god in Autumn blafts your joy ; And while he puniflies the dire miftake, An Atys cold for Cybele will make ; Beauty hath wings, the heart remains entire, To wafte and languifli with unnotic'd fire, "While keen regret imprints its poifon'd tooth ; But we whom pleafure waits, and blooming youth. Fibres Beaut^s, Prudes de tous les ages, Qjii nous vantez vos caprices fauvages, Ecoutez-moi : cet oracle eft certain : On aime un jour, c'eft I'arrfit du deftin ; Ufez des biens que le Printemps vous donne : Un Dieu vengeur vous attend i I'Autotnne, Et puniflant une indocile erreur. Garde un Atys pour Cybejle en furcur. Craignez I'amour, ^tudiez fon heure ; La beaut6 fuit, le coeur entier demeure, Seche, languit, & tout perc^ de traits. Eft devord du ferpent des regrets. Mais nous, charges des plaifirs du bel Sge, TOL. II. S Let ( 130 ) Let us, while life's beft ftreanis our fpirits warm, Let us with rapid courfe purfue the charm, And while oijr ufelefs eiForts we difmifs, Prevent remorfe, and feize the fleeting blifs. CANTO II. With fuch a charm th' immortal Graces move; Charm us like them, ye whom my lays improve ; Like them the concord of their pow'rs employ, The flow of native mirth, and harmlefs joy ; The laugh fincere of unfufpe6ting youth, Which prompts the gay return from artlefs trutE^ De leurs attraits precipitons I'ufage, Et combattant d'imbecilles efforts, Par les plaifirs, fauvons-les des remords. Tel flit I'attralt des Graces immortelles. Vous, que j'enfeigne, enchantez-nous par elles ; Aflbciez a leur accord charmant Les jeux badins, le folatre enjoCiment, Le rire aimable, ami de la jeunefle ; i^e de la joic, il la produit fans cefle, Flatters ( 131 ) . Flatters our hope, enkindles foft defire, And gives to pleafiire ftill an added fire ; The fmile, whofe fpcechlefs language can convey All the breaft wifhes, but dares not difplay. Another charm can ftill our hearts beguile ; There is a tear more precious than a fmile : — To chill defpair when Ariadne driv'n, On thanklefs Thefeus call'd the m rath of'Heav'n ; With dying look, and bofom fwell'd with grief, A rock afcending, fought in vain relief; A god appears, with Mirth's exulting found. And lliouts of joy the rocks and ikies rebound ; Flatte I'efpoir, infpire le defir, £t peint les traits des couleurs du plai/ir. Plus enchantcur, plus eloquent, plus tendre, Un doux fourire en fera plus entendre. D'un autre charme on connait tout le prix : II eft des pleurs plus touchans que les ris. Par un perfide Ariane abufee Armait les Dieux centre I'ingrat Th^fee, Et I'oeil mourant, le fein baign^ de pleurs, Sur un rocher leur contait fes douleurs. Un Dieu parait : les ris & la jeunefle Font retentir mille chants d'alegrefle. The ( 132 ) The Cupids round his car of trkimph prefs, And pour the ftreams of nectar in excefs ; AVhen Ariadne flops his headlong courfe ; He fees her forrows, dries the flowing fource ; Pities and fooths the fair-one in her grief, And gives in fondnefs the moft dear relief; — Thus Bacchus, foe to each alarming fear, The god of fmiles, is conquer'd by a tear. Et les Amours, fe jouant fur fon char. En font jaillir des ruifleaux de Neflar. Du Dieu du Thyrfe elle anite la courfe j 11 voit fes pleurs : il en tarit la fource, Plaint & confole line amante aux abois, Et dans fes bras la venge mille fois, Ainfi Bacchus, I'ennemi des alarmes, Le Dicu des ris, ell vainqueur par des larraes. ON ( ^^'^ ) ON JEALOUSY, FROM BERNARD. CANTO II. From jealous cares, when fondnefs feems to fade, Love draws an ufeful, but a dang'rous aid : But let not Love affume the fomi of Hate, Nor call the fiend, on whom all ills await ; Who iift'ning only to Sufpicion's wiles, With frowning rage each fmiling charm defiles; Who talks of love, but taints the name witli gall; From whofe chill hand the withered rofes fall ; Par un utile & dangereux fecours. La jaloufle aide encore aux Amours. Mais n'aimons pas, comme on dit qu'on detelle ; Fuyez cc monftre i qui tout eft funefte, ii»r// ' While ( Hi > While ripe, or rip ning, tliroiigh the tcmper'd year Pomona's fruits and Flora's gifts appear; The bounteous Earth her harveft free beftows^, Nor waits for feaOnis, or for human vows, IMan there w itliout a want or wifh denied, Seems to poflefs what Nature once fupplied, When firft fhe gave, to blefs life's early fcene, The body free from toil, the mind ferene, A golden age of happinefs uncloy'd, And ev'ry good, but Innocence, enjoy 'd : No accents here are heard, fave what infpire The melting murmurs of a foft deHie, Par-tout on voit meurir, par-tout on voit cclore, Et les fruits de Pomone & les prefens de Flore ; lit la terre n'attend, pour donner fes moiflbns, Ni les vcEux des humains, ni Pordre des falfons. L'homme y femble goiiter, dans une paix profonde, Tout ce que la nature aux premiers jovirs du monde, De fa main bienfaifante accordait aux humains, Un eternel repos, des jours purs & fereins, Les douceurs, les plaifirs que promet Pabondance, Les biens du? premier age, hors la feule innocence. On entend pour tout bruit des concerts enchanteurs, Doot la moUe harmonie infpire les langueurs. While ( 14J ) While troops in beauteous pairs their voices raife, To boaft their loves, or lovd defeats to praile ; Each clay Avith locks adorn 'd with flow'ry wreath, To Love's delightful pow'r - their prayer they breatlic, Learn in his temple, with perfuafive fmile, The dang'rous art to pleafe, and to beguile ; With glitt'ring forehead, and extended hand, '■ Pointing to Pleafure, Hope condu6ts the band/ Wliile near the fane with feftive fong advance The light-rob'd Graces in the circling dance ; • - There Blifs, reclin'd the verdant banks along, ^ In tranquil rapture liftens to the fong ; Les voix de mille amans, les chants de leurs maitrefles. Qui celebrent leur honte, & vantent leiirs faiblcfles. Chaque jour on les voit, le front pare de fleurs, De leur aimable maitre implorer les faveurs, Et dans I'art dangereux de plaire & de ftduire, Dans fon Temple a I'envi s'eraprefier de s'inftruire. La flatteufe efperance, au front toujours fcrein, A I'autel de 1' Amour les conduit par la main. Pres du Temple facre les graces demi-nues, Accordent a leurs voix leurs danfes ingenues. 'La molle volupte, fur un lit de gazons, Satisfaite & tranquille, ^coute leurs chanfons. VOL. II. V Silence ( U6 ) Silence accompanies, wliofc '^J^ ff'veiif *^^^ ' '' '*• What they in vain endeavour to conceal — - The fond carefs, the tender thought reftrainVl, More fweet, more Lifting, than the wiili obtain'd. Such is the entrance, but Avith daring pace If we our fteps within the temple place, If we prefume to pafs the fatal veil, What mournful objeds ev'ry fenfe affail ! No more to fight the lovely train appears ; No tuneful accents melt upon Our ears ; Complaint, Difguft, Abhorrence, and Difdain, Convert each former joy to prefent bane ; On voit a fes c6tes le myftere en filence, Le fourire enchanteur, les folns, la complaifance, Les plaifirs amoureux, & les tendres defirs, Plus doux, plus feduifans encor que les plaifirs. De ce Temple fameux telle eft I'aimable entree ; Mais lorfqu'en avancant fous la voute facree, ' ' On porte au fanftuaire un pas audacieux, Qiiel fpeftacle funefte epouvante les yeux ! Ce n'eft plus des plaifirs la troupe aimable & tendre, Leurs concerts amoureux ne s'y font plus entendre j Les plaintes, les degouts, I'imprudence, la peur. Font de ce beau fcjour un fejour plein d'horreur. There ( i*7 ) There fullen Jealoufy, with livid hues . . And falt'ring feet, Sufpicion's path puifues ; Hatred witli poifon'd cup his ftep precedes, And fell Revenge, intent on deathful deeds ; ^lalice attends, delighted to deftroy, , , ., , And cheers their fury with perfidious joy jr-'^ Repentance follows, and with ufelefs groans, . And downcaft eye, in tears their rage bemoans.^ Here, in the midft of this unliappy train, Which taints the pleafure of frail man with pain, Alike for deeds or kind or cruel known, Love has afferted his tyrannic throne; La fombre jaloufie, an teint pale & livide, Suit d'un pied chancelant le foup^on qui la guide : La haine, & le courroux, repandant leur venin, Marchent devant fes pas, un poignard a la main. La malice les voit, & d'un fouris perfide Applaudit en paflfant i leur troupe homicide. L? repentir les fuit, deteftant leurs fureurs, lj)t baifle en foupirant fes yeux mouilles de pleurs, C'eft la, c'eft au milieu de cette Cour afFreufe, Des plaifirs des humains compagne malheureufe. Que I'Amour a choifi fon fejour dtcrnel. Ce dangereux enfant, fi tendre & fi cniel, Tlie ( 148 ) The doom of mortals with weak hand fuflains, And peace,, and war, with doubtfvd fmile ordains ; Spreads through all regions his delufive art; Moves the vaft whole, and lives in ev'ry heart ; Views all his conquefts from his lofty feat ; Tramples the proudeft necks beneath his feet ; And more to cruelty than mercy prone, Exults in mifchiets he himfelf has done. Porte en fa faible main les deftins de la terre, Donne avec un fouris, oU la paix, ou la guerre, Et repandant par-tout fes tronipeufes douceurs, Anime I'ljnivers, & vit dans tous les cceurs. Sur un trone eclatant,^ contemplant fes conqufites, II foulait a fes pieds les plus fuperbes tetes j Fier de fes cruaures plus que de fes bienfaits, II femblait s'dpplaudir des niaux qu'il avail faits. TRANS- ( 149 ) TRANSLATION A GREEK SAPPHIC ODE ON THE DEUVERY OF GIBRALTAR. He comes ! — -the meflenger of conqueft com^s With winged feet, Avhich o'er the billows bound, Nor bend their curling fummits ; — from his lips Thefe welcome tictings burft :— Albion ! rejoice,-^ The keys of either feii are thirie,-^for, who, ^ Who from thy grafp can force them ? Who the front Of ocean, 'circled with embattled tow'rs, Pharos of Neptune, and the horn of Mars, The adamantine rock, fix'd in the earth "VMth cramps of more than iron, who can blaft? Alcides' column, where from fov'reign Jove Strength and dominion hold their ftation, who Can ( ^^9 ) Can fliake ? — though Hatred with Injuftice join'd Should ratify their compa6t 3vith an oath. Galha's hght race had rufli'd, in fluttering pomp And meafur'd gait, link'd to Iberia's fons In fteady wrath Hern frowning, mutual pair, In equal fpeed, yok'd to the founding car pf deathful conteft ; each refolv'd to work Our ruin, and mow down our naval pride : Into the cafque deftru6iive Famine cafts Her lot, and mark'd it with our day of doom, '-r- What is, O Britons, your refource of flight? For on the dizzy precipice by fnares y Ye Hand invefted ; — What fwift- winged ai^, ^^o What vehicle qf earth, offea, affords .„,;p:r A fafe retreat?— Yet, fear not : Albion fees Your fuff 'rings ; and her offspring fo belov'd When did the parent quit? With eagle's fpeed, Bird of the fun, and fov'reisn of the rock*- m^" ' ^ ■ ^ She •ir ( 1^1 ) She flics to your relief, to frenzy flung, Left the txeo feq^ents fliould her neft defpoil. " What fight yet diftant, what approaching found," Exclaims the guard, "mine eye, mine ear affails ? * ' I fee the British mafts, my country's flags, " The polifh'd hulls I fee ; — I hear the fliout " The cheering feamen raife — ^fons of the ^rave ! *' Good fortune, cro^vn'd with conqueft, is your fong:" Thus while he fpake, on ev'ry manly cheek Tlie tear of joy defcends, as he recalls The hope nigh banilh'd of his native land, His wife, his children, and his friends fecure : Now the reward of all his perils paft He meets, and in an inftant clos'd each hand Was in his comrade's grafp'd, of him, who fav'd, And him, the gift of fafety who receiv'd. Nor can it enter in the mind to know, VOi:i-u With I 1' f ( 152 ) With all its {kill, what tokens they employ *d, What rapid converfe held, while each inquii'd Each anfwer'd fond inquiry. — On the foes, Now terror ftruck, and in their bofoms plung'd The fpur of hafty flight ; quick from their hands The goblet fell, wherein the Gaul had pledg'd Slaughter and death, and in the duft was roU'd, Reft of its bloody off ring : on the ground Machine? and torches, with the weapons lay, Which fell Enyo on her anvil wrought. Where now, Iberian, wilt thou proudly raife Thy trophy — where thy fpoils triumphant rear ? — Earth Ihows not where: — Avaunt, and gnaili thy teeth, Foird and defeated. — Lo, thy empty dream Of glory paffes like a fhadow. — Know, that ftrife Of mad ambition fooner fliall fubvert The flirine of Juftice, — fooner ihall the blafl Of riving thunderbolts uproot the oaks, Time-honour 'd fons of Albion, — than thy rage^ Deflroy ( 153 ) Deftroy this rock, th' afpirlng crown, the boafi! Of all the fea encircles : — Here, ^nth breeze Swelling each fail, and nerving ev'ry arm, Vi6lorious peace adorns each martial brow. ,yf(\l \iVH The tranflator had not the permifTion to print the originai Gretfk, or it would have been inlerted. :f> Xiflif^; VOL. II. X FRAC- ( 1^^-^ ) FROM t)E PORCHERES. ^When firft I faw her, whom my thoughts adore, Why Love, t' inflame her, had I not thy pow'r, Or not thy blindnefs, not her charms to fee ? — If I Ttiuft view this fov^relgn of our liearts, Why Love, to wound her, had I not thy darts, Since from her I had not thy wings to flee ? That fenfe which knew to fcorn all converfe vain^ Which taught my fpeech its overflowing ftrai«, Quand premier je la vis, cette Erne dc mon Sme, Amour 1 pour la brufler que n'avois-je ta flamme, Ou ton aveuglement, pour ne voir fes regards I Que s'il me falloit voir ce miracle dcs belles, Am^ur! pour la blefler que n'avois-je tes dards Puis ce que pour la fuir je n'avois pas tes aifles? Ce b«l efprit, banni des entretiens frivoles. Qui fit nuiftre en ma bouche un torrent de paroles, , No\v Now to my eyes redundant ftreams aiford ; My tongue, my pen, tlieii wonted powi-s forego, And ablence changes, to bewail my woe, To fpeaking tears, my eloquence of words. FUAG ME'Sr, rKQM ST. Ef'SFMONT. ' O FATAL tranfport by poflTcflion known, How is my love with all thy phantoms flown ! Was it for this, that with impatient eyes, Unhappy day ! I wiili'd to fee thee rife ? O let the growing channs of hope be mine, And I poiTeiTvon's wajijug joys rcfigi^ Fait ores a mes ycux naiftre un torrent de pleurs, Et ma langue et ma plume ont oublies leurs charmcs, Car rabfence a change*, pour pleurer mes doukurS, Le fleuvc d'dloquencc, en un fleuve de larmes. Qu'aves vous fait de mon amour, Bontieur fatal, funefie joui^tnce ! Ktoit-cc }>Qur vous peidrc,. O trap maUicru^ux jour Que je vous attendois avce impatience { Rci>dez trompcur, rendex moi me* dpfirs, }it j& voM« rendsi toi^s v<^ ^Uiftfs. ( 156 ) , LE IVIOYNE. QuAND Qn demanda a Boileau, pourquoi il li'avoit pas parle du Pere le Moyne, il repoiidit, qu'il ccoit trop poeie, pour ^n dire du mal, & trop fou, pour en dire du bien. Le Movne, Pierre, Jefuice, ne en i6o?. II eut pu fe faire un grand nom par fa Louifiade ; il avoit une prodigieufe ima-^ gination \ pourquoi dong ne reuflit il pas ? — Cell qu'il n'avoit ni gout, ni connoiflance du genie de la langue, ni des amis severes. — II mourut en 1671. J-f ■ Jugement de Voltaire, dam les Ecri'vains du Tms de Louis XIV. Hiji. Gcner. chap. 41, p. 3,6. Qu'eft-ce que veut dire Voltaire, quand il prononce que I^e Moyne ne connoifoit pas le genie de la langue Fran^oife ? fon genie eft bien la clarte & la precilion ; & pour ces qualites Le Moyne eft tres diftingue ; a I'egard du goUt, fi ce mot ne veut dire que le jugera^nt correft, froid, & meme timide, Le Moyne certes ne I'avoit pas : & des amis severes auroient pent etre cor- rige fes fautes, & fes exces, mais ils n'auroient jamais pu lui donner fes talens & fes beautez ; quand a M. de Voltaire, dans fon ftyle, & fa verfification, il a profite des excellences de Le Moyne> comme avoit fait Virgile, des talens de Lucrece : mais on devroit etre furpris, qu'avec cette imagination prodigieufe, li riche, & meme fi temeraire & vafte, qu'avoit Le Moine, il ait pu tant s'attacher, aux details des evenemens & aux traits des carafteres du Taffe j dont le genie lui etoit fans doute fi fubor- donne : mais c'eft ce que fit I'Anglois Milton } qui s'eft en« richi de toutes les beautes de la poefie Italienne, & qui les a toutes furpaffe, par la force d'un genie fuperieur a tous fes mo- deles. Ainfi Le Moyne dans fes imitations du Tafle, I'a laifle bien loin dans toutes Iw parties de la poefie, la .plus elevee. EXTRACTS ( 157 ) EXTRACTS FROM THE WORKS OF LE MOYNE, BOOK I. O'er Afric now the baleful rumour fpread, < - The Nile in terror fhrunk within his bed, While to the main along the fev'n-mouth'd Ihore, Each rolling wave th' alFright of iEgypt bore ; Its towVs abandoned, its defencelefs coaft Leaves a free paffage to the conqu'ring hoft, And Tanis, once a feat of fplendid name, Yields to our arms, and their fuperior fame ; Ap bruit de cc degaft I'Afrique au loin gemit, Le Nil epouvante fe troubla dans fon lit: Et fa vague en la Mer par fept bouches fcndue, Y porta la frayeur de I'Egypte ^perdue. Les Bourgs abandonnez des Communes fans coeur, Refterent expofez aux courfcs du Vainqueur: Et dans Tanes, jadis, ville fi rcnommce, Lcs habitans defaiu^du feul bruit de TArm^e, Flies ( i^s ) Flies to the defarts of its barren fands, And with their dwellings draws i^ heartlefs bands ; Old age, with women and their infant brood, Crowd to the rock, where Once the Pharos flood ; Far as the gulph, where HeavVs ahnighty Lord ' The Hebrews fav'd from Egypt's brandiflfd fword ; The crefcent yielded to the lily's pow'r. While feax and flight augmented cv'iy hour ; While tow'rs and cities, tiembling at their fato. Shook to the centre the bewildered ftate : — Thus from Vefuvius when the flame is roll'd, The fiery ftreams their courfe deftru6live hold ; Jufq-ii'aux extremitez d'un defer* fablonneux, Traifnerent leurs maifoas errgiqtes avec cux. Les Vieillards impuiflans, & le Sexe timide, R«if»plir€fKt U rampart qui ceignoU Pharamidf : Et jufqu'a ces cantons o5 I'Ange Executeur, Jadis fauva I'Hebreu du glaive deftru6leur, A la montre des Lys, les CroiflTans difpariirentj Le trouble, la frayeur, le defordre y coururent : Et tours, cjiafteaux, cltez, d'un comtiitun trembleraent, Accrurent de I'Eftat le fatal mouveuient. Ainfi, qu^n4 <^ Veft^ve,^ ^ne flapie e,f>^dM£ i Fait \m iej»ve 4^ j^« fitf la (J^e «pej-dae^ Horror . . ( 1^9 ) 1 loiror avoids, with Ftar's diftra6lecl hade. The thunder's ravage, iiwd tiife lightning's wafte; Palaces, temples, to the ground it throws, , . Nor tow'r, nor wall, it's fury can oppofe ; With equal fiep the deathful fires devour, Ilim w'lio fubmits, and him wlio braves their pow'r; And in the ruin funk, the tempeft toft, T*lie prefent with the futivrc, each is loft. — hfir.rrmo'') rAnvi id !)■. '- . La njine 1^, VN)rre>*r fwivent *vecque ^^U,i i Le ravage qui tonne & le degaft qui luit. H'n'eftdigoc hi raur at ifa ^rcur s*an«fte; II. raefle dps Palais Ip jbndement au failte^ •JEJr' iitdrt d*im coifrs legal egalemertt 'fnrprdntf; Et ccliiy qui refifte & ccluy qui fe rend ; "Et dans une tempefte ou tout tomhe & tout fume, AvjEtque le prefcnt I'av^nir fe confiimt. !T S60K ( 160 ) BOOK III. Thus while the firfl difpute the hard-fought Ihore, And force their palTage with repeated oar, Louis impatient from the veffers fide Bounds Avith a heart, each peril which defied ; Through fearful awe the conquer'd waves retreat. And yield a palTage to his daring feet ; His geftures threaten, and his looks command ; His fword a comet glitters in his hand ; His facred head the ihield before him guards ; Death round him hilTes, nor his fpeed retards : Tandis que les premiers difputent le rlvage ; Et qu'a force de bras ils s'ouvrent le paffagej Louis impatient, faute de fon vaifleau, Le beau feu de fon cceur luy fait meprifer I'eau. Soit crainte, foit rcfpefl, fous luy la vague baiflef Ilavance, elle s'ouvre : il poufle, elle fe prefle : Son gefte eft menajant, fon regard eft hautain : Un Comete d'acier etincelle en fa main : Devant luy fon efcu, pour fa tefte eft en garde : La mort fifHe a i'entour, & rien ne le retarde. The ( 161 ) The ftar of Mars thus with the lightning's train Seeks at th' appointed hour the hriny main ; His glowing armour gilds the cloudy fky ; Th' impurplcd ocean takes a deeper dye ; The redd'ning beams along the waves prevail, And ghaftly terror turns the pilot pale. BOOK IV How fubtile LoVe ! how fwift his poifon flies, Glides through our ears, and pierces through our eyes ! Now Joy*s light robe, now Griefs dark weeds he wears, And tries each path, till he the heart enfnares : Ainfi I'Aftre de Mars fuivi d*un long Eclair, A fon heurc defcend de fa Sphere en la Mer: Son arms en I'air eclate, cUe eclate en la nue ; Tout I'humide Element rougit i fa venue : Ses feu\ brillent en rond fur la face des flots, Et la pafleur en vient au front des matelots. Q^E ramour eft fubtil ! qu'il eft contagieu); ! 11 glilfe par I'oreille, il^entre par les yeux : Quelques fois fous Ic deu'i'l, d'autres fois dans U joic : Et pour gagnfr Je cocur, il tcnte toute voie. VOL. II. y His ( 162 ) His darts I own, prepar'd for ev'ry foe. For ever glitter, and for ever glow ; But when their points are dipp'd in Beauty "s tears, Ah what avails the flrength of lliields and fpears ? Bethunes, who proudly once defied the foe, Of Lifamante fcarce fp-w the forrows flow, Thofe tears like pearls, which trickled from lier eyes, E'er in his breaft he felt the flames arife ; By Pity waken 'd, and by Virtue fed, Refpe^l a fdence o'er his wifhes fpread. II eft vrai que fes traits, dangcreux en tout temps, Sont toujours acerez, & toujours font ardents : Mais quand' jl en a fait la trcmpe avec des larraes, Qui peut'ieur oppofcr d'aflez folides armes ? Bethunes autrefois invincible a fes traits, De Lifamante a peine entendit les regrets, Vid a peine fes pleurs, comme perles s'epandre, Qu'il fentit a fon creur, un feu nouveau fe prendre. La pitje I'alluma, }a vertu le novirrit, D'un filent^ obftiiie le refpeit le cpuvtit : And ( 163 ) And though peifoice his heart the flam^ muft feel, The pow'r lie y his fig!is his falt'ring fpecch o'er- pow'r'd, Gave way to tears, which on her hands he iliow'r'd ; Et ne prefinnant plus de s'y rendre infenfible, Tout fon eftbrt n'alloit, qu'a le rendre invifible. Il fe fait d'un rayon d'efprit & de lumiere. Sans bruit une parole, uni vo?x fans mafiere'j Et ce rayon porte fans air, fans mouvement, A I'Archange Michel eft un commandement, LH, fes foilpirs montant fa parole ^toufferent t {fcs larmes fur les mains d'Almafonte couleient: ( 16+ ) And whether from his ftreaming eyes there fell, Drawn from his heart, fome pure and vital fpell, Or from his fighs fome fubtile perfume came, Exhal'd in vapour from fo bright a flame, On Ahnazonta's heart this vapour flow'd, This vital flame within her bofom glow'd ; Returning fenfe on all her frame was Ihed, And life with health upon her cheek was fpread ; And as the ray within her eyes was feen, The light appeared around her more ferene : The needle thus, by pole magnetic mov'd, When the mild fpirit is no longer prov'd, Et foit qu'avec fes pleurs, il tombaft de fes yeux, Quelque extrait de fon coeur, vif & contagieux : Sbit que de fes foiipirs la vapeur fuft fuivie, D'une flame fubtile, & d'un efprit de vie; Le coeur de la Guerriere a cet efprit s'ouvrit, Cet extrait y coula, cette flame s'y prlt : Ses fens furent par la, remis en leur ufage ; Goutte i gouttele teint luy revint an vifage ; Et du premier rayon dans fes yeux retourn(f, Aijtour d'elle le jour parut ralTeraine, Dans la Bouflble ainfi I'aiguille tournoyante, Quand fan efprit ^teiht la laiffe languiflante. Cold ( 1^-^^ ) Cold and inert upon its point remains, Nor feels the North imprefs its potent chains; But if the magnet, wliich it loves, be near, Tliough it inclos'd a captive may appear, With ftrength repaired, ami trembling joy renew'd. It turns its head fpontaneoully fubdu'd ; Feels the dear charm o'er all its fubftan(!e pour'd, Its inftind waken'd, and its life leftor'd. BOOK X. A MOVING cloud inftin^t with inward light, With doubled rainbow-hues encircled bright, Refte fur fon pivot froide & fans mouvement, Et n'a plus pour le Nort, ni coeur, ni fcntiment. Mais fi I'Aiman qu'elle aime, i fon fecours acrrive, Encore qu'elle foit dans Xa bocte captive, Dt nouveau ranimee, & d'aife tr^moufTant, Elle tourne la tefte a I'attrait qu'elle fent ; Et le charme fecret qui la porte i. le fuivrc, Fournit i. fon inflinfl I'efprit qui la fait vivrc. Unk mobile nue au dedans iclairee, Et d'lm double Arc-en-cicl k I'entour color^c, Defcends ( 166 ) Defcends towards mc, in a calm repofe, iViid op'ning, harmlefs lightning round me throws ; The cloud and lightning pail, fucceeds a rock Self-mov"d, felf-guided, without paufe, or iliock, Whence,, when fubfiding on its bafe to reft, In gentle founds a voice was thus expreft : *' Thyfelf and eiTOr Alegonde, refign, *' For this recefs, where trueft glories lliine; " Nor body's chain, nor fpirit's wing regard, ** Affume no "merit, look for no reward ; Defcend jufques S moy, par I'efpace de I'air, Et fans bruit fe fendant jette iin paifible eclair. A I'eclair, a la nue, il fuccede une Roche, Qui d'im branle regie, fe remue & s'approche ; Et fi-toft qu'elle fut en repos fur fon poids, Un efprit doux en fort, avecque cette voix. Alegonde, il eft temps de fortir de vous-mefme : D'entrer -dans ce Defert lumineux & fuprenie, Oil par deffiis les Corps, par deffus les Efprits, Et les bas interefts de merits & de prix, ' Purged ( 167 ) " Piirg'd from thyfelf, devoid ofilmme or prule, *' Be love thy oliject, and be Truth tiiy guide ; " Firm in thy faith, on pureft ho|>e reclin'd, '' My glory only llialt thou feek and find ; *' Let prize or puniflmient ho more prevail, " And Love uplift thefword, and hold the fcaie ; '' Bear on thy neck the yoke which Love ihnil lay, *' Nor other bonds fave thofe of I^ve obey : ' ' To quench the flames of Hell, its pains to drown, ** ConfumcHeav'n's feraphjandtomelthiscroMii, *' To me alone to draw your fix'd defires, ** I leave tiiefe waters, and I leave thcfe fires." De vous mefme purg^e, & de vous mefme vuidc, VoiLS n'aurez que 1' Amour pour bbjet & pour guide : Et pure en voftre efpoir, ferme dans voftre foy, Vous n'irez qu'a ma gloire, & ue lendrcz qu'a moy'. Supprimons pour jamais & peine & recompenfe ; Remettons a T Amour Tepee 8c la balance; Soumettez-vous au joug qu'il vous impofera ; Ne fouffrez de liens, que ceux qu'il vous fera. Pour eteindre I'Enfer, & noyer f'es fupplices, Pour embrafer le Cicl, 8c brfller fes dclices, Pour reduire a moy feul, vos craintcs 8c vos voeux, Je rows laifle ces eaux, & vous laiflc ces feux. Scarce ( 168 ) Scarce had the voice unbodied ceafe to fpeak, When from the rock I faw two fountains break. With mounting flame the fpringing flream af- cends, And each with either gentle murmur blends ; My foul as yet in flumber's vapour drown *d, With ears imperfect heard the piercing found, When ilarting at the wondrous fcene with awe, I fcarce could credit what I heard or faw ; The fire, the water, and the rock, no more Are phantoms rais'd by Sleep's delufive pow'r. But maffive bodies to the eye and ear, Whofe wondrous form at diftance I revere; La voix nue & fans corps acheva bien a peine. Que du Rocher ovivert, il fort une Fontaine, D'un jet de feu qui brille, & d'un jet d'eau qui bruit, Et s'allie en bruyant, k la flame qu'il fuit. Des vapeurs du Sommeil mon Ame envelopee, De ce bruit fi foudain, par I'oreille frapee, En furfaut fe dagage, & revenue a foy, Afes fens etonnez, a peine ajoute foy. L'eau, le feu, le rocher ne font plus les ouvrages, D'un Sommeil ebaucheur d'incertaines images : Ce font des corps raaflifs, ils fe peuvent toucher, J'en ai les yeux remplis, & n'ofe en approcher. My ( m ) My fpirit bowing, this laft fcene believes, And as a fign from Heav'ii its truth rtceives : Henceforth within this defart I abide, In God alone by halieft love confide ; In body lonely, more in mind reclufe, By pleafing Him I all my blifs produce ; Etcrnrty for me, nof gnlj^ti, nor ttirohe, PoiTefles, fear and ho|>e alike are ^()\\ ri ; And that great future, Olicc fliy dbii'btful gaze, Qucnth'd by ttli^fe^waters, ilirinkitig from thcie 1!. I I !• rays, / Ledves me entir^','eidi obftacle re^ov'cT, To th^t heart-center d linion beft belov'd : Mon Efprit conrarrrctr, "prerol XX. aenilCT T^Cfftatlt, Pour un ligne da CicI, pm I., =..,.(} rill FROM )X BONHEUR B'HELVECE. CAI»(TO I. 1 oo plain I fee, this pleafure is a fliade, Or fleeting gleam, in gloomy night difplay'd ; Why Ih^cl then, Sybaiite, thy tears in vain ? Does pleafure paft convert to prefent pain?— - Wifdom replied : True joys he might have known^ 1 lad he in youth their feeds prolific fo"vvTi ; Love is the blelfing of indulgent Hcav'n, To form the huppicft (late, to mortals giv'n ; Ici, je le vois trop, le Bonheur n'eft qu'unc ombre^ Oeft I'^clair iugitif au fcin d'unc nult fombre. Sybarite, pourquoi ces regrets impuiirans f (iuoi les plaifirs paflcs font tes malheurs pr^fents ? II pouvoit 6tre heureux» repliqua la Sagefll". Qiic 1* Amour de plaifirs cflt femi fa jcuncfle j I,' Amour eft un prefent dc la Divinite, L'image de I'exces de f^ fflicitr. This ( VG ) This boon was his ; if with precaution fage His pleafure he liad f6mif'd fbr ^'r^ age t Why Ihould thefe tears then unavailing flow? Uielefs reniorfe but atlds to guilty wo^^^- But if the lover, in his frantic thought, Feels for a time no change of wiilies wrought ; Was there e'er one, who in ambition's flight. Would wifli to reft in one unchang'd delight ? Honours obtain'd but kindle the deflre To honours more exalted, to afpire ; Old hopes to new aflford a fertile womb, — From hope to hope, man finks into the tomb. II pouvoit en jouirj mais il devoit en fage, Sc menager des-lors des plaifirs de tout age. Que lui fervent helas ! ces regrets fuperflus > L'iuutile remords n'eft qu'un raalheur de plus. " Mais s'il eft des'inftans, oii plein de fa tendreffej Un Ainant en voudroit eternifer I'ivrefle. En fut-il un jamais, oil libre de defir, L'ambitieux voulut s'arreter pour jouir. La grandeur qii'il obtierit toujours porte avec elle, L'impatient efpoir d'line grandevir nouvelle. De cet efpoir rempli, nalt un defir nouvfeaxi ; Et d'efpoir en efpoir, il a'?fiy« an tbmbeau. CANTO (I 177 ) CANTO r. . But farthefon, ^vliat. crowds in humble guife^ By paths obfcure to thefe abodes arife ! ^ . .- Who while they' affe^ all grandeur to difdaioy,, Yet by that fcori? their honours would attain : r AVhat, monfter guides them?— hardened to.jr^f niorfc, Hypocriiy through crimes condudlstheircQUrfej Who falfe to G<^4 .his, holy will proclaim^^ ,,^j- 1 A^d call to favage dee4s of blood, his name ; W^th duft ^and allies flrQwn> to pow'r who creep, And pride conceal'd beneath the hair-cloth keep ; Mais plus loin-^ijielk fouler' jmmbdie en. (k contenan^. Par des fcntiers obfcurs, jufqu'fr ces-monts s'avance, Et vciit, en affedtant Ic mcpris des grandeurs, Par ce mepris lu^-mfime, arrive?, aijix honneurs ? Quel monftre les conduit ? la fombre Hypocrifie, Aux crimes, a la honte, aux rcmords endurcic, Qiji. fe jouant de Dieu feint dc U refpcil«r. Qui dans tous fes forfaits ofe encor I'attefter, Pour marcher au pouvoir rampe dans la pouirierc £t cache, foji orgtfeil fous la cendr^ & la haire. YOrU/SS. A A RcigDk : ( 178 ) Rei- ri by impofture, and by ftupid fraud, And while they feem t» fear, blafpheme their God; ,^ Wilfully tjiiiitl, and credulbuily bold, Mifleading' Others in the faitii they hold j '* - - With hate nnplacable, who far ranove Each fociai fenfe of charitable love, W'ludijSviiTIe the bofom glows with holy fires, To man returns tlie warmth which God infnires; Th^fe are the hionllers, who in fhape, and hue. Like to hei^elf, -all woi^th to death purrue; *^^' Peaci^ in'theiv foreheacls, fer' Vithiti tlieir hearts, Wh'erice>' leeii' bi'ihe'ard,'\Hi;'h ti6fr6iV Heav n" de^ y ' " ^ ' ' ' ' ' ' - . " . ^ ,,■■". i .. '. Des aveugles mortels ce monftre refpeftc, , Regne par I' impofture & la ftupidite. Par la cfainte d'an Dieu qii'en feei^t il bkfpWlnt^'* Par la CT^dulit5'-;qwI- s'aveiigle xUeim^me. ' ' II guide fiir ' CCS tiittnts €'autrcfs' aitibiticux ; ^^" Implacabfe en fa haine, ii ecaite loin d'eiix '' i-'LjP La tendrecharite,' qtti'braiant d'mi faint tcU]^ ^"^ Rend aux humaite P^rftOui" que'lijs^bieux'drtt poUr ijie. De toutis les vert6i i6\6 perfdciiteuf^ ' ■ ' '-^' La paix' left fur fon front & la guerre en'ft'i^ ca^(i?: Avep'h Love is the god to whom my ardours rife, Tyrant o'er fools, fubfervient to the wife ; To one he chains, to th' other blifs imparts ; And while he rules our fenfes, warms our hearts, i Anacreon here, by happy wifdom led, Show'rs PIcafure's rofes on his fair-one's head ; Unveils her beauties, celebrates her fway, And warbles here his o\yn mellitVous lay. Ma main entrelap dans le facre Vallon, Les myrtes de I'Araour aux lauriers d'Apollon. L'A.moiir eft un des Dieiix a qui je rends hommage, C'eft le tyran d'un Fol, mais I'cfclave d'lrti Sage. II donne i I'un des fers, k I'aiure des plaifirs. Ici, des fens, dii toeiir, iiiaitrifant les dedrs, T.'heureux Anacrcuii, giiidt- par la SagclTe Des rofes du plaifir colore fa MaitrcflTe, IX'Voilc fes beautcs & c^lebre rAniour. Cliantre vo;luptueux il re^c en ce fijc>m. Enjoy ( 180 ) Enjoy tlic beauties Spring's fwift minutes fend ; The flow'rs, juft budding, haften to their end : Let foft remembrance in your hearts infpire The fleeting j ^y, and kindle new defire; Talk with the Sage, and with the Graces dance ; lu ev'ry ftep, let Love's ecltatic trance Prolong the moments which his tranfports bring, Behoid where Pfyche atreturn of Spring, Flutters around the rofe with fondeft care, Or refts fufpended with delight in air ; Gazes awhUe upou its form ^nd hue, Then on its bpfom fips the honied dcM' : » — . ' ■■ ■ ■ I .. ' . .- .- . ' . i — Jouiflcz des beautes que le Prihtemps fait naltre, La fleur a peine eclofe eft prete a difparoitre. En vos cceurs, difoit-il, que I'heureux fouvenir D'un plaifir qui s'eteint y ralUime un defir. Caufez avec Zenon, daofez avec les Graces. Puifle 1' Amour folatre, emprefie fur vos traces, De fon ivreflc en nous prolonger les inftans. Voyez ce papillon au retour du Printcnips, Comme il voltige autour,d'une rofe nouvelle, Se balance dans Pair, fufpendu fur fon aile, Contemple quelque temps fa forme & fes couleurs, Et vole fur fon fcin pour ravir fes faveurs. Thus ( 181 ) Thus when Aurora's blufh, enllght'ning lieav n, To beauty has the gift of pleafmg giv'n, While I inhale the fweets her charms difclofe, I am the Pfyche, Doris is the rofe : With ardent look, which prudence fcarce reftrains, I view the forai, where languid foftnefs reigns ; Where the contour now meets, now ihuns the fight, And by delay provokes prolpng'd deliglit ; Now in her ^r^ns jio more relu6lant prell, I rife to rapture, or I fmk to reft ; Two beings blended in one form alone, We die, reviving, upon Cupid's throne. Ainfi lorfque TAurore eclairant l*hemifpherc, Vient rendre a 1» be^utc le ^oa, lieureux de plairCi Ce papillon, c'eil nioi; la rofe, c'efl; Doris. Admirant de fon fein I'incajrnat S( les lys, Mon ayide regard contemple avec ivrefle. Son beau corps arondi des mains de la MoUeffCr Ne puis-je du defir raodercr les fureurs ? Je vole entre fes bras & ravis fcs faveurs. Dans I'exccs du plaifir nos ames femblent craitre, S'unir, fe p^nctrcr & n% former qu'un 2tre. Mourons & renaiffons fur I'autel des Amours. CANTO ( ^,s^ > (A MO III. * Sii^ ended here, and where with rapid pace ^'^ ]\f y guide conduced,-. I her footftep trace, Till where I follow'd on enchanted ground, Tlie fane fublime of Happinefs L found ; Here Arts and Pleafures held their lov'd abode ; Cupid and Phoebus each their wreath beftow'd ; Content difplay'd its gently lambent flame, And Rapture glow'd mih ardoor ft ill the fame/'- , ': ■■ ■ ■ ■•;_ i " Time here," faid Wifdom, *' has with equal pow'r ' ' Affign'd to man his light, his darker hour ; . . . __ ^ En achevant ces mots fur ks pas de mon guide, Entraine tout-S-coup d*une courfe rapide, Dans un fejour riant je me vois tranfportd, Et me trouve au palais de la Felicite. Les Arts & Ics plaifirs environnoient fon tron^j ApoHon & 1' Amour foutenoient fa couronne. Le calme de fon ame ^toit peint dans fes yeux^ Et la joie y brilloit toujours des memes feux. Le Temps, me dit alors la, divine SagelTe, pont parmi ks humains la jpie on la trjfteffe^ i( Bv ( 183 ) ** By turns he haftens, or retartU his wings, . *' And clay to day its changeful tribute brings i ** While I,---UT?alter"d happin«l*s who draw ■■ i *' R'om one perennial fource^^ by iNature's law, " Vor wlioin 'Timfc traces noinconftant line, — ' ** Dwiell ih this palace, and this throne is niine."^ ' 'l?Tfe fysLke, — -a maib of intervening. clouds- IT My- fight oppofes[ and" tlie vifion fln'owds ; i; ,11 1 My dream was clbs'd ,* and waking reafon ilidwl'^y Ftom independent ai-tS) that pleafure flow'd ; ! // Tliat ditf 'rent taftcs in diff 'rent men prefide, J'habite ce palais, & ce. trCnC; eft le. mien, a EUe dit, 8( moo, Ceil ^itravers^iCnt nyages, , ,(i Ne vit pius qu'un aflw^ de con fufpsfi images. .j Mon fonge dWparut : j«i ,Y\% qu'^ chaque inftunt Les Art^ confolateurs, pl»ilir iodppendaut, :Nbus ouvroieat du fionhpur la ipurce incorruptible; (iue dc ; gouts dilfereos plus I'liommq eft fiiiieeptibl<;, :iiT)ii\^ And ( 18+ ) And as the greater number bear the fway^- More lure to ha^pinefs they point the way ; That ftudy can true joy alone fupply, Shun the world's vices, and its wrongs defy ; AiwI where Corruption has not fix'd hj2r feat,, Trace the dellgn, which Virtue niuft complete.' Henceforth, fatdl^ the world and all its wiles I fhun, and follow whciie true Wifdom fmili^-jl/l fiefolv'd to feek, fexrnrdJtQ fihd ^he joy;, , . . ; > yi^ Whioh Fortune gives ndt, nOrcanGhanee d^ikff^f Too mild for torment, riot too faint to pleiafey i i" Love aiid the Mufe ihall' weave; my web of; eaf''^ I. J Now ftormy Winter from the ikies is flowri, And Spring in fmiles remdutits his flow'ry throne; "^ If The grafly earth refumes her bright array, And teeming boughs their ne\v-boiTi leaves' dif- play; umtt^Ii The lawns imbibe the morning's g-etiid de^-, And blufhing rofes half difclofe their hue ; With Ihepherd-pipes the hills and vallies found, And goatherds fee with joy their kids rebound : O'er ocean's furge fecure the failor goes, With fwelling fail, as Zephyr harmlefs blows f The vow already is to Bacchus paid, And ivy leaves each curling forehead fhade : Their fkilful work the bufy bees refume, From ev'ry flow'r fele6ling rich perfume ; -?xA^T - Or ( m ) Or fix'd within the JiiiTj in equal rows Tlie nice arrangement of their cells diipole : Now chaunt the feather'd choirs ; the halcyon bred - On dancins: waves, the fwallow in the flied, The fwan, that near thie fiver^s margin roves, And philoTiVei, ^hat;ti%lifly'liatitit*l^te'gfbves. If thus their joys^ ^ai'th, plants^ and. flow'rs cUf- play, If flicpherds pipe, and flocks attend the lay, If Neptune fmiles, and Bacchus leads the dance^ If birds in foni^, if bees in toil advance, How fliall the poet not enraptur'd fmg, And hail the bounties of the rifnig Spring. I!.' J-iibI , ON AESCHYLUS. T Hf:, Sdio the fabric of his tow'rrng lays In frowning pride of niajefty could rear, Firft in the fternnefs of the tragic plirafe, Euphorion's offspring, iEfchylus, lies here ; -( 190 ) Far from his native Eleufinian coaft, Tiiiiacria makes his monument her boaftt III. ' • '■ "".''1 ON NINON: ', ',', APPLIEt) FROM A GREEK EPIGRAM. Ninon, though far in iengthen'd age declin'd, No grace of youthful beauty has refign'd ; Her eye yet ghft'ning, and her cheek yet ^arm, Through fcores of years forget not ftill to charm : Nay, childhood's levity Hill lafting fhows. That Time m vain would Nature's pow'r oppofe. IV, To thee thefe flowVs I fend, too haughty fair! Cuird by this hand, and wreath'd to bind thy hair; . , , ^ ''.!■: .1 ./Oil li . The rofe new-blown, the lily moift with dfiWj;^j:£ The vain narciiTus, and the vi'let Wue,p,.,,^jj.,.'j^ Wear ( 191 ) Wear thefe, and check tky pride, more humble made, They bloom like thee, but thou like them Ihalt fade. APPLIED TO VVERTER. Onb favor 'd hour alone I found the fair, r And thus,her knees embracing, pour'd my pray'r ; *' Oh fave the man reduc'd fo near to death, ^ *' Deign to recall his fleeting gafp of breath : "I fpake; flie wept; — when rous'd with new alarms, *' The tsar llie dried, and caft me from lier armi," VI. "'^''['""^ '""^ " Not yet hath Summer to our fight reveafd Thy beauty's flow'ret in its bud conceafd ; Not yet the grape allumes its deeper hue, Whofe virgin bluilies firfi inchant our view ; But ( 192 ) But youthful Loves tlicir rapid fliafts prepare, And the fpark fnioulders e'er it burft in air : Fly, hap^iefs lovers, e'er they touch tlie firing ^ ■ I feel the flame, amd what I feel, I fing. FROM COLARDEAU, IN THE TEMPLE DE GNIDE. Scarce on their bofoms yet arofe to fight Thofe orbs, which Cupid moulds with fond de- light ; Whoferip'ning charms by youth's expanfiveheat. Beneath th' unwelcome veil inceflant beat : Thus at the dawn we fee an op'ning flow'r, That newly feels the fun, exert its pow'r, Burft through its verdant chalice, and difplay, In blufliing pride, its beauties to the day. A peine I'on voyoit s'elever fur leur fein, Ces globes que I'Amonr arrondit de fa main ; Ces charmes que le feu li'une ardente ieunefTe, Sous un voile iniportuii fait palpiter fans ceffe : Au lever du foleil, tel on voit une fleur, Des premiers feux du jour, relfentir la chaleur; RepouflTer, dechirer le tiflTu qui la couvre,. Bt mootrer les trdfors de fon fein qu'elle entr'ouvre. EXTRACTS ( 193 ) EXTRACTS FROM THE WORKS OF DOR AT. I- FRAGMENT. Far be from us vain Fafliion's aid ! Be Nature follow'd, as her counfel leads ; Drefs and its pow'r, thou lovely maid, From want of genuine charms alone proceeds. Weave from the flow'rs beneath thy feet A fimple chaplet, without farther flioV ; The Graces are the lefs compleat, When Art the more its fuccour would beftow. Loin, loin de nous les vains ApprSts, Suivons les pas de la Nature; Belle Egle, le defaut d'attraits Fit fcul inventer la parure. Dcs fleurs qui naiflent fur tes traces Couronne toi, fans autres foins Tout ce que I'Art ajoute aux Gi'aces, En eft toujours une de moins. VOL.. II. I c c The The pride of outward treafures feen, Obfcures the liiiue of each native grace; Praxiteles, thy Cyprian (jueen, Scorns oh her form all ornament to place'. Charms yet there arc ;^but thefe, with prudent pride, JMyftery loves with fond referve to hide; — Gi\e me, O Ijo\^, of thefe the right to fpeak, My lips, I proriiife, ihall not filenoe break. Le fade des ajuftemens Nuit i la Gnice natiirelle ; Cert la Veniis de Praxitfcie, - Qii'on gate u i'oice d'ovnemens. 11 en eft — le dieu du Myftere Se plait lui-nx^me k les voiler ; Amour ! que fe puifre en parler ! Je te promets bieh de ine tair'c, II, THE ( ^95 ) II. THE MORNING KISS, OR THE BIRTH OF DAY, The ftars yet fhone, the dawn arofe AV'ith (ioulitful gleams, which, faintly bright, eoiiUl har;dl^^ Fior^'^ eye,s u.nclofe, Who ftill details with fond delight The youth for >vhoj\n lier bofQin Jg;^o^vs. The breeze difports, on healthful wing, With _{\q)v bfefprint, acrofs the fkies ; The feather'd choirs begin to fing, Lcs etoiles brilloicnt encore : A peine un jour foibte & douteux Ouvre la paupiere de Flore, Qui, dans fes bras voluptiieux, Retient I'inconfiant qu'elle adore. Le fouffle humide d'un vent fr^is Effleure les airs qu'il epure, Soupire i travers ccs .bofi^iiets, As ( 196 ) As through the ruftling grove it flics ; And waking Nature haftes to bring Her frefheft odours, richeft dyes. Sleep flill o'er thee inclin'd its rod, Redeeming thus the Happy night, When w€ to L,ove's enchanting god Hq,d frequent paid the fecret rite. No fleep was mine ; a richer prize To frenzy rais'd my fenfes know ; And while I catch thy panting fighs, Fix'd on the goddefs are my eyes, To Avhom my deareft blifs I owe. ih ihiiy Et vient hater par fon munnure m' 1 Le chant des hotes des forets Et le\-eveil de la nature, Tu goutois un profond repos, Apres une nuit fortunee, Qiie nous avions abandonnee Au 4ieu des amoureux travaux : Moi, je veillois : dans mon ivreflc, Je recueillois tes doux fpupirs, Et mes yeux, brulans de tendrefle, Se repofoient fur la deefle A qui je dois tpus mes plaifirs. Thy ( 197 ) Thy trcfles float in loofe array, And fpread their only veil, to hide Thy charms expos'd, whofe blufhing pride Such artlefs chance can beft difplay. Serene upon thy placid brdws Contented wifhes fmk ta Teft ; ' But o'er thy agitated bread Rapture his robe of crinifon throws. "'^-^ Thus, when the tempeft is withdrawn, In fragrant heaps we fee combin'd, The rofe and lily, which the wind Had fcatter'd o'er the mofly lawn. Les anneaux de ta chevelure Flottent au hafard r^pandus, Et voilent feuls tes charmes nus, Dont le dcfordre eft la parure. Ton front peint la {6renit6 Et du bonheur & de la joie ; Sur ton fein emu fe deploie L'incarnat de la volupte : Tels quclqufois, apres I'orage, On voit, en monceaux parfum^s, La rofe & les lys parfem^s Jonchcr ics gazons du bocage. Thy ( 198 ) Tliy lips, wliJch Love has arm'd with all That grace can give to fix his pow'r, . . Freili as the morning's dewy lljow'r, Half-op'uing feem on me to call. Thy arms tliat, while foft langoiu's fteikl, By flow degrees, their folds unbind, ,,,,^^f^,^) Unknown to thee, thy dreams reveal, And towT4s thy lover are inclined, rnilui 1! Bi^t gaining now its utmoft height. The radiaat l^p , of V eni^s ^lo ws, And ev'ry a<^ded beam of li^it An added cj>ai'm of Jl^^\\ty iliOM's. it.t He was, he is, or is to bef. SoMNE levis! quanquam cortiflima mortis imaga Confortim CDpio te tamcn tori; ■ ^»-*i'' '^ Alma quies, optata veni, nam fic fine vita , r Jt'.'ff Vivere quam fuave eft, fic fine morte mori. t Q^i C|"? tu fois, voici ton maltre ; 11 I'eft, le flit, oil le doit ^tre. r ' FROM ( €15 ) FTIOM THE GREEK ODE BY RICHARD MADDISON, PIT. COLL. CAMS. On the Death of George II. ; and applied to the Deceafe of Mrs. COOKER Wife of Major Cooke, formerly in the Service of the Eaft-India Company. Hallow'd oblivion of our forrows! thou, Who on good-fortune's cheek, by tears unftain'cJ, lakell thy thvelling ; hither, O dired Thy foothing wing, and heal our wounded hearts : Sleep, with its balmy dews, has left thefe eyes With weeping fightlefs, and the wakeful ftrcams Tlwioi AoL^x rti* KaKUf Ay H» a^»rtkTan w«^«a«j OpCtfff'a itv^o TO xtiXti'Irj^is* Of ( 216 ) Of fad remembrance, for the matron's worth, Who fleeps in icy death, purfue their couife. She fell, as when in Autumn Eurus blows With cloudy breath, and darkens in the ftonn The fun's bright circle ; or as when the moon. Who leads the glitt'ring train of ftars, which breathe Their fires amid the blue ferene, inclines Her filver head, and fhuns the rufhing hoft Of fea-bom clouds, when through the troubled air Tlie black-wing'd eagles urge their crowded flight: A"t/7r»o» irfo^tom ^oor AvuKloi ye taffiun' AtlKrl^oipyit DeAaya a a^^u»f roy atpyupovv nctpat VJKitH, oetffotffat "Kayavv envoy Anlxi fAsXatoirle^vyiT As ( 217 ) As flourillies the fond maternal elm, Around wliofe (lem, with confidential love, The rifing branches cling, fo rofe in pride Of ev'ry virtue, ihe, whom we lament ; So clung her oifsprmg, while the flood of time, With unpolluted wave, upon its banks Beftow'd each bleffing : now the matron finks In death untimely ; while the root is torn, The branches tremble, and the confort tree Its aged head hangs drooping ;— but her fame What ages paft to filence fliall confign ? Wliat future age Ihall for her equal hope ? TttfOi ktoSeov TfSrjXc BijSga;^ «« irXovlot Ti kAioj t» got/Joj ^aaiXtut towIoj* Tk vo^ atuf at ayavH i Tl( h TOM* ihTtWM ; VOL. II. I' F TRANS- ( 218 ) TR A N S L ATI O N. SONNET. Here lies the worthy hufband of a wife, Whofe virtues worthy of that hufband ilionej Lrove's charming contefl was their only ftrife, While in two bodies their two fouls were one : ^n equal ardour either breaft reveal'd. Its favours Heav'n beftow'd with equal hand ,n Both felt Love's wound, in neither bofom heal'd. United both in one celeflial band : But he now fleeps, and fhe Hill wakes to moura Her folitary couch, his lonely urn, Nor has fhe join'd to his her parting breath : No, no, a fond exchange each confort bears. Half of her life within her heart he fhares. She in his tomb partakes of half his death. t '^^9 ) O R I G I N A I^^ ':< DE PORCHERES. Helas ! que ton mari fut digne de fa femme, ► . Femme par tes vertus, digne de ton mari,,^ Et toy de luy cheri, et luy de toy cheri, Vous faifiez dans deu:^ corps, de deux km£s, une ame. Vousbruflaftes tous deux dune femblable flaiiifei; Des mefnies dons du ciel chacun fut favori, Tous deux blefl'^z d'un traitj dont nul ne fut gueri, Et tous d .ttom H; vir,m not ?lniP. Ah, fiyou^ pSquyiez comprendre Ce que mon cceur reflent pour vous, L' Amour n'a rien eu de fi tendre, Ni ^'Anuti|? fien de fi doux : Loin de vous moncge^ir foupire, Pres de vqus je fuis interdit ; ' ' " Voila tout ce qiie j'ofe dire, Et je drains que j'ai trop dit. FROM ( 221 ) FROM ^HE LADY, Ah, why can I fo well difcover The flame thy bofom ftels for me? Why do my bluilies own my lover, Wlien^er I 'turn ipy eyes on thee? To reafon ftow I fly defpairing, , Whii(i%ve mfiilts my feeble fears ; No thoiight niytongii^ defign'd declaring, And er'l-ythdiightr doubt appears. Ppuifquoi.ffa.i-je fi bif n comprendre Ce que ton coeur re (Tent pour moi } Pourqiioi ne fjais-je me defendre, De rougir vis-a-vis de toi l ' je I'invoque et 1' Amour en rit., T . ' ' '' " As now, controuls the thunder of its voice :™r *' The land where firft I faw tlie light, is plac'dT " Where near the fliore the Po in ftate receives A. ^' The treafures of its tributary ftreams ; *' Love, which too foon inflames the noble breaft, Noi) che tignemi'l mondo di fanguignoj Se fofs'amico il re dell'univerfo ; A noi pregherem lui per la tua pace ; Po c'hai pieta del noftro mal perverfo. Di quel ; Qh'iidir : & che parlar ti piacc j Noi udirenio : & parleremo a vui ; Mentre chel vento, come fa, fi tace. Siede la terra, dove nata fui, Anymtv i . ' ■ Su la marina : dou'el Po difcende Per haver pace co feguaci fui. Amor ; ch'al cor gentil ratto s'apprende ; "Seiz'd ( 227 ) *' Seized him, for thofe foft beauties I have loft, — . *' And ftill I feel the agonizing blow; — *' That love, which ne'er forgives what it creates " In thofe who feel its pow'r, feiz'd me for him, *' So ftrong, thou fee'll, it yet forfakes me not ; '' Love t'was which led us to a common death, *' And Hell awaits the wretch, who dealt the Ihoke," Such were the words I heard ; — I inllant bow'd ISly head in forrow, and fo long remain'd In that dejeded pofture, that the bard Afk'd mc, why thus I thoughtful, filcnt ftood ; Prefe coftui de la bella perfona, Chfl mi fu tolta ; e'l modo anchor m'ofFende ; Amor ; ch'a nuU'amato amar perdona ; Mi prefe del cofliii piacer fi forte ; Che, come vedi, anchor non m'abbandona. Amor condufle noi ad una morte : Cain^ attende, ch'in vita ci fpenfe : Quefte parole da lor ci fur porte. Da ch'io intefi quell' anime offenfe ; Chinai il vifo; & taiu'il tenni balTo, Fin ch'el poeta mi dirte, che penf? ? At ( 228 ) At laft I fpake: — "Ah me! what gentle thoughts, " What fond defires,have led them to theh woe !'* Then to them turning, I addrefs'd my words ; — * ' Francefca, fuch thy difmal ftory is, * ' That tears of pity trickle down my cheek ; *' But tell me, while thy fondeft figha were breath'd, ,Rnn *' The time and manner, how, and when, thy love *' Gave the poffelTion of thy deareft v/ifli." She anfwer'd thus : — " There is no greater grief *' Than to recall in woe our happier days ; " And this full well thy maller-poct knows : Quando rifpofi cominclai ; O laffo; Quanti dolci penHer, quanto difio Menb coftoro al dolorofo pafTo. Poi mi rivols' a lor, & parla' io, Et cominciai ; Francefca i tuoi martirt A lagrimar mi fanno trifto & pio. Ma dimmi ; al tempo de dolci fofpiri A che : & come concedette amoae, Che conofcefte i dubbiofi defiri ? Et ell'a me ; neflun maggior dolore, Che ricordarfi del tempo felice Nc la miferia; & cio fa il tuoidottorc. " But ( 2'29 ) *' But if fo eaineft is thy wiih, to trace ♦' The rife of Qur affection, I like him ** Who joins his tears to mine, will Mccp, and " One day for pleafure we took up the tale " Of Lancilotto, and read his tender loves : *' We were alone, fufpeding nought of harm; ** When more than once, in reading, while wc rais'd *' Our eyes in mutual glance, the colour left *' Our cheeks : — but one, one incident, produc'd " Our ruin; — as we read the dear delight, *' Which on her lips fo fond a lover prov'd, Mh s'a conofcer la prima radice Dfl noftr' amor tu hai cotanto afFetto ; Faro, come colui, che piange & dice. Noi leggiavam'un giorno per diletto Di Lancilotto, com' amor lo ftrinfe, Soli erravamo, & fcnz'alcun fofpetto. Per piu fiate gli occhi ci fofpinfe Quella lettura ; & fcoloroci'l vifo ; Ma fol un punto fu quel, che ci vinfc. Ciuando Icgcmmo il difiato rifo Eflcr bafciato da contanto atnante ; *' He, ( 230 ) •' lit, who henceforth will never quit my fitle» *' Preft with his trembling lips a kifs on mine; ^' The book and he who wrote it, was ouf pandar. — ■ " That day we read not any farther." — Thus, While the one fpirit fpake, the other wept In fuch afflidion, that I fainting fell U'o th' ground in pity, as if death had dealt Its fatal blow, and lay a lifelefs corpfe. Qnefli, che mai da me non fia divifo, La bocca mi bafcio 'tutto tremante : Galeotto fu il libro, & chi lo fcriffe : Qjjel giorno piu non vi legemmo avante. Mentre che I'lino fpirto quefto difle ; L'altro piangeVa fi ; che di pietade I venni men cofi, com'io morifle ; Et caddi, come corpo morto cade. FROM i; -231 ) i FROM I'p ^j DANTE: IT- IXFERXO, CANT. XXXIII. TT'WE fin net fiom his fell repaft now rais'd ,; // .> His mouth, and wip'd it with the hair, whipb hung Around the mangled head, and thus began itt-. j " My hopelefs forrows muft I then renew ?y ^^ ** Which, e'er 1 fpeak^ in thought alone I feeL ^ " Weigh lieavy on my heart ; but if my words " May.4;o tliis traitor detcftation bring, *' My words and tears Ihall both together flow. La bocca follevo del fiero pafto Qjjel peccator forbcndola k capelli Del capo ch'egli hauca di retro guado Poi comincio, tu voi ch'i rinovclli Difperato dolor ; chc'l cor mi premc Gia pur penfando pria ch'i ne fuvelli ; Ma fe le mie parole eflfer den feme, Che frutti infamia al traditor ch'i redo ; Parlare Sc lagrimar mi vedra'infeme., , • , •^ ' ** I know ( 232 ) ** I know thee not, nor by what means I fee ** Thee now before me, yet thy fpeeeh declares ** Thee born in Florence ; but know thou, my name : • , *' Is Ugolino, and iR^uggiero his* *' Why thus fo near him (as thou feeTt) I HanS^ *' I will unfold : How, by his dark defigns, ' 1 *' And my weak confidence, he feiz'd me firfl, " And next deftroy'd, it boots not to relate ; *' But what yet never can have reach'd thine ears, *' How cruel was my death, how piteous, *' Now Ihalt tlibii hear, and 'after jtidge my wrongs. ' • " I hofi fo chi tu fie, ne per che modo . Venuto fe'qua giu t ma Fiorentino Mi fembli veramente, quand'i t*odo. Tu dei faper ch*i fu'l Conte Ugolinof^'^^'^'J *'^^^ f' ^ Et quefti I'Arcevefcovo Ruggieri : "'"^^*=*^35*1 ^^':iS> Hor ti dlro perch'ifon tal vicino. -J'-*«3 oqeo Isu Che per I'effetto db fuo ma penfieri »* .oianiihuj iuH Fidandomi dv lui 'io fofle prefo, ■ 'oJof* 0Jf-!5qTtJa Et pofcia mortb, dir ndn e meftt^v*''''-'*? ""^n ^'O Perb quel, che non puoi havere intefo ; Cio e come la morte mia fii crudaj Udiraij &.faprai, fe m'ha ofFefo. ""Bs' ^ ^ttuH *' A nar- ir 235 ) t ' ' A aarrovv crevice in the d u,ngeOii:\'s fide . , f " (By mq to famine facred, in ,wJj,ofci, gloom , / ' \ Yet many a wretch Ihall pine) ' h^d ,oft already ' ' Sho^v^l me the moon's wan luftre ; when a dream ",Tore back the veil of mifery to come : — ;.^ffvl ia^V)tJiehmiter eager in purfuit; , , '/JBi6fQre:his fteps a ;Wolf with all its yqurig' j/A • * 'Ran to the hill which Ihadows^ Pifa^s plain i i *' Lank hounds were with him panting for their " And all Sedition's bloody tribe had joih-'ill 7/ ** ^' .Th^i< leader^in his fport :/foniD«t6 rayivi^wiA *' tficnt s.\ lib isftiiftib iR;»m B5VBrf*8 Breve pertugio deptrq 4a U m^^]h: ./'lo , lolofq nl La qual pet roe ha'l titol d^ Ja X»fnq^.^ ,,{jBn ckI E'n che convien anchor ch'altrui fi chfii^j,. ;>/ M'havca moftrato per lo fu' forame, ; ^yj oLniiiii) Piu lume gil, quand'i feci'l mal, for>i^fl,;, i9yn,;}q Che del futuro mi fquarcio il velame. ; t Quefti pareva S me m^eftro & donna . , , ^ , ,. Cacciando'l lupo e' lupicini al mofitCij^ t.|,c. i,. /; Perch'e Pifan veder Lucca non. poAno. Con cagne magre ftudiofe, & co^te , . , ; Gualandi con Sifmondi Si con Lanfranc\^^ isrf j TOL. II. H H " The ( 234 ) *' The hkplefs race, worn down witli toil, appear'tl, *' And the wh«l€ ruth iels pack in all thdt fides " Stam'd their iliarp fangs. — Before^ tlie itidm I • woke, ' ■ "' ' " And heard iny chihhcn wailing in their deep, " In broken cries for bread ; — hard is thy heart *' If now it 5'ea!#li: riot, but to think tlie fiorrofs ' ' W hiiih then too truly were afiiroanc'd to fiiine. * ' Wheil'^vilt tboa ^v«ep 't^m&n dibu'^mq^ed not ? " Now were we rifen, and the hour approach'd ** Wliich Jiiisf'd to britig with it tmr daiiy fobd, " AndarlliTi doubt were niufirig on the dream, S'havea mefli dinanzi da la fronte. In picciol corfo rrii pafeano ftanchi . -> q 73id Lo padre e'figli ; 6c con I'agute fcanc' '^ ''""P ^'^^^ Mi parea Ibi' ^eAtt fend'er li fianefii. "^ ^''^ "'^ Quando fui defto irthahzi la dhnttie i Aom savsii'M Pianeer fenti fra*! fonno i miei figlivoli.^'"" "' ^ Ch'eran con ni^co j & dimandar del pa'ni*?^ ^"~^ Ben fe'crudel; fe tu git rton ti dimli Ti^^Bi> Penfando ci&, tit*al mi*tdor VanhuWiaJv^ '''^'^'^*^ Et fe non piangi ; di che p'ianger fuoHr '^ "^"J^" Gia era defto ; & i'ora s'apprefava, '« '^«^ «<>^ Che'l c'fto ire foievii tfffer addotto; n-AkuO mf «^whai ( 235 ) " Wlien UDtler me I lizard tlie grating found *' Of bolts fail fliuttini2: on our lionid tow'r : *< Gazing by turns upon my children's faces, *' I Avithout motion ftood, nor fJjed a tear, " So deep liad grief turu'd inward fenfe to ftone ; " lOuy did : and tlms my little A»felm faid, — * y©ru look fo, father ; what is it you fear?' — *' Yet I wept not, nor aU that wliole day fpoke: *' Nigh.t came in filence, and the next day rofe. * ' Some gleams of iigiit had pieic'd our gloomy cell, *' When ill four faces, rooted all on mine, Kt per fu'fogno ciafcun dnbitava ; Et io fento chiavar I'ufcio di fotto A rhorriblle torre : ond'io giiardai Nel vrfo Sl mici figlivoli fanza far matto. I non piangeva, fi dentro impetrai ; Piangcv;in elli : & Anfelmuccio mio DilFc ; tu guardi fi Padre : che hai ? Pcro non lagriniai, ne rifpos'ia Tutto quel giomo, ne la notte appreffb, Infin che Taltro fol nel mundo ufcio. Com'un poco di raggio fi fu mcflb Nel dolorofo carcere, 8c io fcorfi " I h\r •( 236 ) "I faw the image of my own diftrels ; ^' With grief I gnawVl my hands: — my Tons aiofe, " And thinking hunger had provok'd the deed, *' Tlius fpoke : ' Dear father, feed, O feed on us; * Lefs fliall we grieve : thou gaveft us thefe limbs, ' Now let thy wants the wretched gift refume V ■*i Ijcalm'd my rage to leflen their affliction. . *'* That day and next we all in filence ftood : *' Pitylefs earth, why was thy bofom clos'd ? " Now was the fourth day come, when at my feet *' Gaddo expiring lay ; and as he fell, Per quattro vifi il mi' afpetto Itclfo ; Ambo le mani per dolor mi morfi ; Et qiiei penfando, ch'i'l fefle per voglia Di manicar, di fubito levorfi ; , , ^ Et difler; padre, afHii ti fia men doglia, . ; Se tu maiigj di noi : tu ne veftifti Qnefte mifere carni ; & tu le fpoglia, Quetami allhor, per npn.farli piu trifti: Lo di, & I'altro flemmo tutti mini : Ahi dura terra perche non t'aprifti ? Pofcia che fummo al quarto di ven«^tl,^, f (, Gaddo mi fi gittb diftefo a'piedi '' Cried, ( "^^-^ .) ** Cried, * Deareft father, why will you not help me?' " He died ; and I whom now you fee before you, ^' The two fucceeding days faw one by one, *' Three other children fall ; then without eyes, *' On liands and feet from corpfe to corpfe I crawl'd : *' Three days I calfdthem after they were dead, '"'■ Then hunger did what grief in vain had tried^** Dicendo, Padre mio die non m'aiuti ? (iiiivi mori : & come tii mi vedi, Vid'io cafcar li tre ad iin ad uno ,;_Tra.'l quinto di e'l fefto : ond'i mi diedi Gii cieco a braucolar foura ciafcuno : <«,Viii«?/^^ tre'di li chiahiai, po'che fur morti : PoA:ia pill chc'l dolor pote il digiuno. FROM ( 2S8 ) FROM MARINO: GIERUSALEMME DISTRUTTA, CANT. VIT. There in the midft, where no expanded fpace. No place confin'd intrudes, there on a throne, Or rather in hmifelf ONE fits ; one good, One true, one fair Supreme, wlience Heav'n de- rives Its name, and Nature, dwells ; the One unknown, DiftinCt and yet united, one and three, Not diftant nor confus'd ; unmov'd, unmade, Whomakesand moves the whole; whoalwa} sttY7.y^ Still is, and wWy Jehovah, ever be. Nel mczo fta, ne fpiitio ingombra, b fito In foglio cccelfo, anzi in fe fteffb aflifo, Qu^l iin, quel buon, quel ver, quell'infinito Ond& sNniparadHa il Paradifo, Quel, npn so che diftinto, e pur unito, Uno, e trin^ non canfufo, e non divifo, Che non moflTo, e non fatto, e move, e cria,. Qu^el che fy, quel che e fempre, e quel che fia. Within ( ^S9 ) Within the ahvfs of (Mie concenter'cl Ijoht, A In full beatitude, th€ Fatlier holds Within himil'lf his thix>ne: — from one deep foimti Fraught with exhauftlefs treafures ; from one' breaft, Immenfe, incomprehenfible, he pours I'orrents of glory, oceans of his blifs, MHiich know no paufe ; while numberlefs, on liim, Angels ecftatic, gaze, and from his light, Refled as nilrrors the tranfcendant beams. There he himfelf beholds, and in himfelf, IhteTTigence divine, in tenfety turn'd, ■ : ;..;,, ' , ).i A f iiu, ' . ' n n. r • Dentro gli abifli d'una luce denfa, Stalli il gran Padre in fe beato k pieno Da la funtana di tefori ininienfa, E da I'immenfo incomprenfibil feno Oceano di gloria egli dtfpcnfa, Torrente di piaccr, che non vien meno, Mill'ahtte cbre d'amor fpeccliianfi in lui, £ di fe fpecchio k i'e fu fpocchio altrui. In fe (leffb fi fpecchia, & in fe fteifo Volto il fcmpre fecondo alto intelletto, Another ( 240 ) ^ Another fclf produces, perfect form ; ; . ' r// At once, birth, image, hkeneft, and the. Same, J. Eternal, equal, offspring increatej'j'ifnidnfihi'/A But ftill from fountain the;moll high deriy'd,, ./►X Stream holy, holy Son, from holieft Sire.,fh«,'>i({ Then while tjiat , form ^ he^ .ponteniplate^, , ^nd.. That image fo p^'o^ucM, complacence,, lovcj^^^^^^^ All other love^iurp^ffi.ng,j^t()t)i^jS^n^^^ ^. ^^^^ Breathes with enkindled ardour, mutual flame; One undivitkd fphit, o;^ j].ie.9; ^^-^fjCy r .. ■^iin-t^iil j^>.'ji/ih :}-jrvyj'[^' No loofe defires their baneful influ'ence ihed ; But o'er the gates, its entrance which defends^ -, Let Time his fey the, his dait let Death fufpend. Dove fia fra I'altr'hoftie ofFerte ancora Quefta cetera wia poco fonora. Honor ne fia ciiftode, e pie profano Nou ofi entrar ne le facrate foglie, Tutti i fozzj penfier fugan lontano, ' Impudicl defiri, impure voglie, E vi reftino appefe in sii le porte L'ali del Tempo, e I'anni de la Mortc. TRANS- ( 248 ) TRANSLATION. SONNET. Xhou gentle foil of Silence and of Night, Father of Fancy's bright ideal train ! Sleep ! by whofe pathlefs footfteps gliding lighfri Enamour'd Couls their love's high heav'n ob- tain. Now that deep funk beneath thy friendly fliade, All hearts, but mine, are in thy bands confin'd, Quit thy Cimmerian grots, too truly made The dark refemblance of my gloomy mind: Come, with thy calm oblivion to my aid, And w ith thee bring the image of the maid, Whofe fight alone fo loft a wretch can fave ; But if that form my {lumbers may not blefs. Yet fly not, thou ! that I may ftill polfefs At leaft the image of that death I crave. ( ^^9 ) ORIGINAL. OOM MARINO. O Del Silentio figlio, exie la Notte^ Padre cli vaghe imaginate forme, Sonno gentil, per le cui tacit' qrme Son I'alme al Ciel cVAmor fpeffo condotte. Hor che'n grembo k le liev^i ombre interrotte Ogni cor (fuor che'l mio) ripofa, e donne, .J^'Herebo ofcuro, al mio peniier conforme J^cia ti prego, c le Cimmcrie grotto. E vien col dolce tuo tranquillo oblio, E col bel volto, in chio mirar lu'appago, A coafolar il vedovo defio : Che, fe'n te la fcmbianza oudc Ton vago, Non m'^ date goder, godro pur'io De la morte, chc bramo, almen I'imago. VOL. II. «; K TRANS- ( 250 ) TRANSLATION. eMo SONNET. To go, yet'fta/, and ftaying to be gone, To leave the heart within another's breaft, To figh, lament, nor yet know why we moan, To die with grief, without Death's peaceful reft ; To pine with hope,- to languifli with defire, To feed the'fiihcy Avith paft fcencs of blifs. To lofe the joys which truth mig-ht ftill infpire, To faUfrotii Heav'n to torture's deep abyfe; To truft fufpicionj'and th6 truth deny^'> mif -i In hollow pavesy and defart wilds to lie, To fenfelefs rocks our haplefs ftate to tell ; Endlefs tm^cfall each minute of an hour; This is that abfence, whofe relentlefs pow'r- - Subdues the foul, and makes our life a H^ll. ( 251 ). o R 1 Q im.Jk u. n T MARINO. GiRE, e rertavfi, e A*^l i^ftar p^htirey i , o : >/, J Paiitir.feu? alma, , Cvgiir. con rfVlA"i4jilfcW, Stru^gerfi di fpeiai^;^^„|e di %At^,jj5j ^rfj j^i ]t.nA Pafcer, fol, 4i,|^^i9ria j,pei^f}ei-/^i, ,„,3q'^3H- I^aver^ upj c,Qr^,e^djpavtirb i}|,,cl^i,i]^ ^^^-,^3 Prcnder l^.foUtudUii ^/fjik'ttQ^,^, , „^^,,, < . NarrarqjfL. i, ionlj boft-Jii il di^^Jc^ jii^fpno ; , , Ncgaj-^ ily'QTp^f e qredere al Ibfpetto : Clii|amar de L"hore pgnii.momento eternp, Quefto e quel n^r^l che Lontanan;2a ^ dctto, Moite de Talmc, c de la vita Intit^no. TRANS- ( 252 ) TRANSLATION. SONNET. Lash on thy loifring fteeds, before the tiriie^^ Fair goddefs I quit the bofom of the night, - Since nor Mgli tKybh^ Ti6t morning's rofy prime, Like thee can give me comfort, or delight : And let the lead^t of the ftarry train, ' ' Hefperus,' ^dding to my tender pray'r, Encamp his^hands dlong the azure plain, Chearing tlie hoiToV's of the darken'd air : Arife, O moon! my faitlif ill guide arif^,' "'•^^' ^ And 6'e'i*Mfe''reg^6n's'of the vaulted fkies deign to flied thy mild propitious ray ! Thou from the fun, "which feeds thy filver beams, Shalt light and life receive in copious ftreams, 1 from thofe eyes which turn my night to day. i i. Jill -IT ( 253 ) O !l I G I N A L. mauino. Sferza i pigri giovenclii, e innanzi I'hora Sorgi d'Abiffo 6 de la notte negra Candida Dea : gik I'alma afflitta, & egra ' Altro fol non dcfia, non altro Aurora, '^mj ^ Tragga pria de l!ufatd Hefpero fora Per gli campi del Ciel la greggia integra -Be le luci minute; e I'aria allegra • ' i5 T R_A N S L A TI -9 I^'. SONNET..' Whi^j? j^n f>*^^et4efcant,9'er, the goMei> firing^ The Hebre>y- j)'putl^ his fl}jjng fiiigers-flrpw,^^ The tqrtur'4m^fldlpf,J^daJl]S{€nv;k^^ls,^^^^ j Fi'om its , 9j9/^r|;^m'd- pajigs; fyffipjpfphe, ,kn?w ; And while the]Ti\Ta^iftfj.,h2trd^injn^^*.$^ti>'^i fti'^ii??i Stmck^ th^ ;dee|) forrp|v;^'^^9f||i^s Jj^ixefuj -flijeft The guilty foii|s^.w^ei4^fep'4;fij9fl>fftjij?ir 9M94Ps, And mufic footh'd th' ayenging po>vfre,9f j^^l : But now^ Av:hen leaving the ftar-fpangl^d^p^^ci'^^^ With J)eav'nly, founds this f.t: Through paths unfeen, to join my diflant fair. With thee I go, to calm my reftlefs grief ; * And while love's wings fupport me through the air, By ftealth obtain in abfence fome relief: Benign preferver ! by whofe fond difguife Affli6iing truth no longer meets my eyes,' I feel thy fiatt'ring aid, with pity frauglit' ; Led by thy theft I live, and if I know One momentary gleam of blifs, I owe To thee alone the boon, enchanting thought! ( 265 ) ORIGINAL. IMARINO. Perec RING penfier, cli ardito, e folo Trahendo ovunque vai 1 "anima accorta Dietro al vago defio, che ti fa fcorta, Dal fondo del mio cor ti lievi ii volo. Teco ne vengo, e per fottrarmi al duolo, Giunto al mio ben, per via fpedita, e corta Pi la, dove su Tali Amor mi porta A le gran fami mie^ qualcli'efca involo. O fido fchermo k g^li amorofi affauni, ,, . ]\Ie come dolce ombrando k gli occhi il vero, Pietofamente infidiofp inganni, De'tuoi furti mi vivo, e s'io non pero, S'ho conforto i\ i jnartir, riftoro a'danni, Tutto h fol tua mcrc^J caro penfiero ! VOL. II. MM TRANS- ( Q66 ) T R AN S L A T I O N. SONNET. The dawn appear'd, and from his filver hair ' Theftar of morning Ihook the glitt'ring dew; While Flora fcatter'd through the perfmu'd air Such flow'rs in heav'nly Paradife as grew : The fkies their fapphire to the waves convey^3/ The waves their em'ralds on the fkics beflow'd ; And as they both their blended beams difplay'd, A fea the fky, the fky an ocean, iliow'd : Beneath night's veil a fmile of joy was fpread, The changeful pearl, the ruby's blufliing red, The IhoreSjthe rocks, the vaulted caves illume ; With them my Lilla caught my raviih'd fight; Whence can, I faid, each objed of delight, But from her charms, their fweeter tint affume ? ( 267 ) ORIGINAL. e:oa MARINO. Spuntava Talba, e'l rugiadofo crine Gik la flella d'Amor fparfo cogliea, E gi^ grembi di fior, nembi di brine Dal celefte balcon Clori fcotea. Le cerulee bellezze, e matutine II mar da'l ciel, il ciel da'l mar prendea ; E tranquillo, e feren fenza confine Un mar il ciel, un ciel il mar parea ; Ridea I'horror caliginofo, e cieco. Era di perle, e di zaffiri adorno Ogni lido, ogni fcoglio, & ogni fpeco. Quando k me Lilla mia face ritorno, E difli, hor chi mcnar potea mai feco Altri, che*l mio bel Sol, si lieto giorno? TRAXS- ( 268 ) TRANSLATION, COM SONNET. The day flie left her mortal manfion cold, Heav n op'd, enrich'd, its eiverlafting gates ; While Earth difclos'd her marhle jaws, to hold That form, Avhofe lofs her poverty creates : Farewell, faid Earth, and leave this world forlorn, To me, in clouds of darknefs unremov'd ;, Go, to falute thy Heav'n's.amhrofiai morn, j None like thyfulf have I bewaifd, or lov'd : Come, Heav'n exclaim'd, to that paternal light, Whofe beam for ever pure, for ever bright. Is God's own ihadow, and admits no iliade ; The ftars I faw in glitt'ring orbs rejoice. Each element I heard in varied voice. While Earth its forrow, Heav'n its joy, difplay'd. i '269 ) ORIGINAL, MARINO. T Quel dl, che fciplta tlal fuo fragil vela Debjci membri .s'ufclo Talma ben nata, De gl'inhofpiti horrori habitatricej ''"' Se del mio ,duol -ti dole , ^^ 'JtlLltli Jflff ■ Odi le mie parole. Le mie parole afcolta Da queft' ombrofa grotta ; Ma non ridire altrui cio ch'io ragiono. Tu da le membra fciolta Voce flebile, e rotta Accogli pur de le mie voci il fuono. Ma fe care ti fono, Teco le chiudi, e ferba ; _j j,, ^iii..,i . ■< na E quefta pietra ofcura, ,:j,^,,j jhqp.'iwfehtS Ch'a te fii fepoltura, , ., ,,j.q JOTifB'f i>G E de la pena tua grave, & acerba i^^^,; •ylicTiivnl From ( 9,7S ) From fide to fide refouiiding till they fmk, Afford my woes a monumental reft ! Not that my grief may undifclos'd remain. Or what I feel from unrelenting love May reft unknown, but, that a wretch like me, May not oft'end that cruel Ileav'n, which fmiles At founds fo piteous ; nor that 'mid the tribes Of joy, this lamentable voice Ihould pierce Intruiive, and difturb their cheerful blifs, Ancor freme e rimbomba, Del mio dolor fia tomba. Non perche'l mio cortloglio Refti occulto, e fecrcto, E I'altrui feriti non (i rivele j Mifero, ma non voglio, S'e del mio mal si lieto. Ferir con fuon pietofo il Ciel crudele ; Ne che trifle querele Vadan tri gente allegra Turbando I'altrui fefla VOL. ir. N N With ( 274 ) With fad remembrance ; — here then, 'mid the gloom Of thefe deep horrors, without joy, or hope, Let us united pour our mutual moan. FROM MARINO: BALLETTO DELLE MUSE. To her, then love advanc'd;— not that dehasd By vice plebeian, who dire6ts his fliafts To wound the vulgar low-born tribes of earth, From luxury and floth enervate fprung, Con memoria si mefta Qiii dunque qui tra I'ombra opaca, e negra Fuor di gioia, e di fpeme Stiamo piangendo infieme. A LEI ne venne Amore ; Amore il figlio, Non quel vile, e plebeo, Ch'a la gente villana il cor faetta, De rimmonda lafcivia infanie parto. In ( ^^^ ) III Health impure ; the naked arther train'd To foul deceits, 'mid beafts of rapine nurs'd; A child in ihape, not age ; a blinded lynx ; A fmiling infant with a giant's frowti ; Mifguiding fpirit, tyrant fierce, whofe ftrength Ufurps fair reafon's thmne, and o'^r the will Lords it fupreme ; afTaiTin of all good, Subtile magician, whofe fell pow'r can change The human form divine ; a ferpent's fting, Diftillins: venom through the foH'ring bread With wound conceal'd, which to the fuif 'rer brings De I'otio human licentiofo allievo. Garzon nato di furto, Nutrito tra le fere, Arciero ignudo, Lunfighiero fallace, Attempato fanciul, Cieco Cerviero, Pargoletto benigno, e fier Gigante, Spiritello vagante, empio Tiranno, Ch'ufurpandofi il feggio De la ragione opprefla, ' Signoreggia le voglie, il fenno uccide : Mago fagace, i trasformar potTente Le divine fembianze, Angue, che accolto in feno Spira mortal veleno, Piaga, cR'afcofa in petto Mortal ( 276 ) Mortal delight : the flame, which fhining burns y' ^ Alluring poifon ; peftilence, whofe fumes Intoxicate the heart; — above controulj,! bliiia- A Each fenfe corrupting, and whofe foul affaults Break through the bonds of jullice, and of law/^ Unfated paiTion, fire of fatal pride, i^ eqiuW Artificer of fraud, whom madnefs drives .^b'loJL Ta headlong fury, on, whofe footfteps treac^ iJtdiiB Repentance^ anguifli, and ignoble fliame — iT But J that, which born in Heav'n, amid thefpheres Refides; chaftefupplicant, of bafhful mein, dtiV^ Reca mortal diletto, Fiamma, che luce, e coce, •" Tofco, che place, e noce, Pefle de I'alme, ebrieta de' cori Corrottela de' fenfi Paffion violenta, Sozza violatrice Del lecito, e del giufto, Smoderato appetito : Padre di vanita, fabro d'errori. Furor precipltofo, infania ingorda, Del cui libero pie feguon la traccia Pentimento, e vergogna : Ma quel, che nacque in Cielo, Cittadin de la Sfer?, • ov: Whole ( 277 ) Whofe down-caft eye in fpeaking filence pleads, And gains, ere utter'd, its deferv'd requeft : Firm friend of concord, and ingenuous faith ; Wing'd youth, who from the earth each grov'Hng thought Exalts ; the god of wonders, who in bonds Indiffoluble binds confenting hearts ; Courteous difpenfer of all lawful blifs ; Infpiring guide of ev'ry good defire, Illuminator of each turbid thought, Beneath whofe fway unbridled palfion bows, And ev'rv artlour, ill-enkindlcd, cools; Nume caflo, e pudico, Amico di Concordia, e d'honeftato, Alato giovinetto, Che da terra folleva i pigri ingegni, Dio de le meraviglie, Ch'in forte node alme difcordi accoppia, Difpenfiero cortefe Di legittime gioie, Impcrador de' nobili dcfiri, Illuftrator de' nobili penfieri, Regolator de gli sfrcnati affetti, Tempera tor dc' mali accefi ardori, Tlie ( 278 ) The gen'rous virtue, undiffembled wilh For what is like itfelf^ is good sindfah' : Afylutn of all heartfelt peace, the tie Of kindred fpirits, union of their wills ; Joy of the univerfe, reftorer bland Of nature, and fupport of all that lives, In one unbroken chain : Phoenix unfeign'd, Who from -its aflies fpriiigs to life renew'd, And is at once another, and the fame : Conftiint rotation of inceffant forms, Comfort of mortals, and delight of gods. Generofa virtu, puro defio Del fimile, e del bello, Dolce innefto de' corpi, Santa pace de' Cori. Sacro giogo, e legame De I'anime gentili, '* ^^ *^'^ Union de' voleri, Piacer de I'univerfo, Riftoro di Natura, Softegno de' viventi, De gl'huomini traftuUo, c degli Dei. MARINO. ( 279 ) MARINO. Mox tibi dulciloquum non infcia Mufa Marinum Tradidit, ille tuum dici fe jaftat alumnum, Dum canit Affyrios divum prolixus amores, Mollis et Aufonias, ftupefecit carmine nymphas. MlLTONUS AO MaNSUM. TRANSLATION. To thy proteflion foon the learned Mufe Gave her fweet-voic'd Marino ; he .with boad Confeffes thee his mafter ; he who fung The long-protrafted loves of Syrian gods. And charm'd th' Aufonian virgins with his lays. Go now, ye tribes of frigid critics ! ye Who like faint fhadows, from the fun can trace No outline, fave where body's cumbrous mafs Affords you fcope for fervile judgment; ye. Vain fons of Echo ! whofe repeated voice Enfeebled, fpeaks not till it hears a found ; In filcnce fink ; or raife your envious fcream. Like chatt'ring pies, at Jove's majeftic bird. Or the foft murmur of th' Idalian dove ; *Tis Milton fpeaks, who, like the fun, deftroys The feeble glimmer of the diftant ftars. And foars beyond the eagle's bqjdeft flight; Yet gentle as the breeze o'er Eden's vale That blows, can vie with its mod tuneful ftream *Tis Milton's hand, which on Marino's brow The laurel binds, and by deferved praife. Stamps worth on others, and confirms his own. SONNET, '( 280 ) SONNET, FROM PETRARCH. LASCIATA HAI MORTE. Death ! thou the world without a fun haft left Cold, dark, and cheerlefs, Love difarm'd and blind; ' '^— Beauty of charms, and Grace of pow r bereft, And leav'ft me only my afflifted mind : See, captive truth, and virgin foftnefs fade, I grieve alone, nor only ought to grieve ; Since Virtue's faireft flowV tliy fpoil is made. The prime worth loft, what fccond can retrieve? Let earth, air, fea, their common woes bemoan, Mankind lament, which, now its boaft is floAvn, A gemlefs ring, a flow'rlefs mead appears ; The world poffeft, nor knew its treafure's pride, I knew it well, who here in grief abide, And Heav'n, which owes its beauty to my tears. * * ■ SONN^ET, ( 281 ) SONNET, PROM PETRARCH: qUEL ROSSIGNIUOL. TO A nightingale: Sweet mourner tliou ! who in thy artlefs tone Pouring the forrows of thy fwelling throat, Haply thy mate, or infant brood to moan, Fillefi tlie air with pity's thrilHng note : Here each long night I liften to thy tale. While hari>y thoughts each racking grief re- new ,• I, wlio my own fond error only wail. Not thin-king death a god dels could fubdue; Vain hope ! Deceit's inevitable prey, Thofe eyes are funk in danip neglected clay, Which equal fplendor might with Phabus , boaft: Now am I grown by fad misfortune ^\'ife, And know too truly by my tears and fighs. That leaft is lafting which we doat on moft. VOL. II. O SONNET, ( 282 ) SONNET, FROM PETRARCH: amor; CHE VEDI. Love ! thou who feeft each inmoft thought dif- play'd, Each ftep I take with thee my only guide, let thine eye^ this panting breaft pervade, Reveard to thee, but clos'd to all befide ! Thou know'ft what toils, purfuing thee, are pad, While ftill from height to height thy pennons foar, Nor deign 'ft one pitying look on me to caft, Who wearied, fainting, can purfue no more : 1 fee -from far the mildly-beaming ray, To which thou pointeft through a pathlefs way, But 1, like thee, can fpread no wings to fly; From humble thought then let me draw content. In diftant homage let my life be fpent. Nor flie be' offended that for her I figh. SONNET, ( 283 ) SONNET, FROM PETRARCH. ARBOR VITTORIOSO. Tree of triumphant vi6lory ! whofe leaf For bards and heroes forms the glorious crovn, How many days of blended joy and grief Have I from thee, through life's lliort paflage known ? Lady moil noble ! who in Virtue's field Rcapeft unrivall'd honour, all thy care ; To thee mud Love his arts infidious yield, Whofe calm difcretion fees, and fcoras the fnare. The pride of birth, with all that here we hold Mod precious, fparkling gems or mafly gold, Abje6l alike in thy regard appear ; Nay e'en thy charms, the Avorld's fix'd wonder, raife No joy in thee, but as their fplcndors blaze From Chaftity's true light, fcrenely clear. SONK£Ty ( 284. ) SONNET, FROM PETRARCff: SE UNA FEDE AMOROSA. If fondeft faith, ^ heart to guile unknown, Whofe pleafing langour the foft wifli betrays^ Delires that glow with temper'd flames alone ; If weary wand'rings in a murky maze ; If ev'ry thought in ev'ry feature born^, Or veird in words Avhich interrupted move, As doubtful Fear, or bafhful Hope, have worn The vi'let's palenefs, or the blufl\ of love ; If more another than myfelf to prize. If ftill to weep, to heave inceflant fighs, To feed on paflion, or in grief to pine, To glow when diftant, or when near to freeze, If all my fuff "rings take their caufe from, thefe ; Thine is the fault, the punifliment is mine. ^,. SONNET, ( 28J ) SONNET, FROM PETRARCH : CLI OCCHi' DI CH'iO. XfiosE eyes, which gave their fpiiit to my prajfe, Th' angelic form, the features, and the face. Above themfelves my native pow'rs wliich raife, And rank me higher than the mortal race : The curling ringlets of that floating gold, Thatheav'nly fmile, where harmlefs lightning fhone, Where I on earth could Paradiie behold, Reduced to fenfelefs duft, alas ! ate flown : Yet I furvive, but fuch a life difdain, Who here depriv'd of that dear light remain. My bark unmailed, and my canvas torn ; Mere I each accent of my Mufe will clofe, Dried is the dream ; my mind no talent knows, And my lyre only can in forrow mourn. SONNET, ( £86 ) SONNET, FROM TJSSO. Xhy early youth was like the bafliful rofe, Shunning the day's too penetrative light, Whofe verdant leaves its future charms inclofe, Hiding its virgin beauties from the fight ; Or rather didft thou feem (for nought on earth Can be thy likenefs) an ^ethereal dawn, Whicli calls the day-fpring into perfe6l birth, Gilds ev'ry mountain, and impearls each lawn : And now, thy years mature their pride maintain, Noi youth, that boafts the triumph of her reign, Commands fuperior, or an equal praife ; Our fenfes thus the flow r more grateful greets, Whofe ripen'd bofom breathes ambrofial fweets, And the morn yields to noon's coUeded blaze. SONNET, ( 287 ); SONNE T, . tfimaifJ FROM adJ rfjfW ii DES FORTES, To thee, thefe tears I offer from my heart, To cahn thine anger, unrelenting Fate I O fpare my love, nor let thy lifted dart ♦ On Beauty's empire reek thy mortal hate ; If fuch thy will, to fliew thy cruel might, O let my bofom with its point be torn, Pity her charms, our wonder, and delight. Nor leave the world in poverty to mourn : But, if my cries mull fail to reach thine ear, And thou tliy favagc boaft art bent to rear O'er all that's faithful, and o'er all that's fair : Still let her beauty grace our honour'd age, And thou flrike boldly, to content thy rage, That j)erfecl form which in my heart I bear. SONNET, ( 288 ) SONNET, FROM PETROCCHI. I ask'd of Time, "To whom was rear'd the mafs, " Whofe ruins now thou crumbleft with the foil?" He anfwer'd not, but fiercer ihook his glafs. And flew with fwifter wing to wider fpoil : ^ . .\t u I alk'dof Fame, "Othou! whofe breath fttpplieS " Life to high works of wonder, Whofe re- maitis— " Abafh'd to earth Hie bent her mournful eyes, Like one A^ho fighing filently complains : Loft in amaze, I turn'd my fteps afide, When o'er each heap I faw Oblivion ftride With haughty mein, denoting fix'd defign ; " Thou then (I cry'd) canft tell, ah! deign de- clare :" Stern Hie reply 'd, and thunder fliook the air, .*', Whofe once it was, I reck not, — now, 'tis mine." , SONNET, ( 289 ) SONNET, To HENRY the IVth of FRANCE. FROM BERTAUD. Such fame exalted never didft thou gain, When o'er the field the blood of thoufands flow'd, Or when the Mules, in their boldeft ilrain, Their crown of glory on thy deeds beflow'd ; As thou fhalt gain long life, in ev'ry heart ^ Where faith and love fhall glow with righteous praife, Shewing thou warreft on Religion's part, The caufe of Heav'n by vi6tory to raife : Purfue, great prince ! the tenour of thy fate, Crufh all oppofers to thy tranquil Hate, While difcord fmks beneath thy thund'ring car; Purfue, and let thy glories ftill increafe ; Make thou Him triumph in the fmiles of peace, Who made thee triumph o'er the frowns of war. VOL. II. P P SONNET, GIRO LA MO PRE,TI' ( 2^0: ), SONNET, Su'n! of- til it' fill the fourth, 'tvH6fe lucid ftream On each revolving flar its ray beflows ; O Thqii^ bO' bear wiiofe penetrating beam- .Their- wings, as veils- the fei-aphim oppofe; Difpel thefe clouds^ difp^rfe tl|at icy. cojd, , ' Which blind my fight, which turn my heart to ftone; For fnice there earthly charnis mine; eyjes beholfj, Cool to thy flames, I burn in their's alone : -;';. vr . . ,. . -yi Thefe fighs,. MK]u<:j[j,pow, proceed from foul defire, O Icit thy. grac^cv with purifying fire, Melt into tears of penitence and pray'i-'j > Thus froipithcv briny main thofe vapours rife, ^^"*5 Which,, charged with tempcfl, darken alltlie fMes,* TJi,en fall in fertile IhowTS, and cleanfe the air. i SON-NET, ( 291 ) SONNET, moM BOSSUET, A VAUNT, ye race whom truth and reafonfpurn, Low tribefe ! ^Irho none but poifon'd pleafures , ;,know; Attend, chafte fpirits ! ye, wliofe bofoms burn With brighter flames, from purer love which glow; Ye too attend, interpreters divihe ! Ye, who on themes fublime your powVs em- ploy; Whofe thoughts the meaner fenfe of man refine, Nor check the rapture of angelic joy : Tlius Procul hinc illi, qui terrena fapiunt, animales, fpiritum non habentes: adftnt cafti caftaeque, qui fanftum aniorem fpirent, deoque, qui eft charltas, adhaerefcant : acccdant boni fandlique interpretcs, qui non fe immergant carnalibus, fed qui amorum humanorum fenfus et voluptates, ut periti inufici chordas, lev! digito C 292 ) Thus minftrels, mafters of harmonic loae, With temper'd touch the choral chords explore, Nor prefs prefumptuous on the warbled lay; Thus with a foot which leaves unmark'd the ground, The roes of Hermon o'er the vallies bound, Then 'mid the mountain woods, in fecret ftray. digito pulfent, tanturn ut amoris divini fuaviflimum fonuq« eliciant ; qui, ut hoc quoque ex Canticis fumamus, caprearum cervorumque more, vix pede terram attingant, mox tranfiliant fcnfus humanos, atque ad excelfa fc efferant. BossuET, Praef. in Cantic. t. I. p. 509. Edit. Paris, 1772. qto. SONNET, ( 293 ) :j sonnet, from the italian. Nysa, 'tis true, my peace of mind is flown, No more can I conceal my deep diftrefs ; O thou, on whom my blifs depends alone, I fear thy truth, and thus my fears confefs: But fears, perhaps, are falfe ; — yet tell me why, Why is Amintas ever at thy fide ? Why bent on him is Hill that anxious eye, And what thofe whifpers thou wouldft wifh to hide? Still I may err ; and thcfe, the figns of love. Though fuch they fcem, may ftill fallacious prove, — Yet fuch the mutual tokens once avc knew ; Fain would I truft thee; — but this tortur'd heart If thou canft fee, and pitylefs depart- Alas, I am betray 'd ! my fears are true ! — TRANS- ( 294 ) TRANSLATION. tna SONNET. Xhoo virgin rofe ! whofe op'niiig leavts to fair The dawn has nourifh'd with her balmy dews; While fofteft whifpers of the morning air Cali'd forth^ the bluflies of thy vermeil hues. That cautious hand, which cropped thy youthful pide,. KKi /li Tranfplants thy honors, where from death fe- cure, Stripp'd of each thorn ofFenfive to thy fide, Thy nobler part alone Ihall bloom mature. Thus, thou, aflow'r, exempt from change of ilvies, By ftorms, and torrents unaffai I'd, llialt rife, ^ndfcorn the winter colds, and fummer heats i. A guard more faithful now thy growth fliall tend, » By whom thou may 'ft in tranquil' union bliy^ji , Eternal beauties, with eternal fweets. ( 295 ) O R I G- I N- A U, METASTAS-IO. Leggia.dra lofaj b Gui purofogil^) ./j>il;} »roH ^;aiCi*ijfe;.iil\oUija;urette:inattutirie^ • toX Fero a vermiglio colorat le fp0§,lie, . , ;,ii Quella provvrdai man, che^t filed tiito^la^iiJ iyJl Vuol tralpoFtarti ad immortal icijttliho^ij^ oT 0,ve fpogliata dellq ingiuiie;fpm4y ' ■ vfU Sol la parte liiigUor di te giermogiic. ;r/ Cosl ifiptc di>^rifti,i cbe nDnfoggiare ; ; , • ■ jiuiT All acquU^.aligelo, al vento, ed alio fcKeiW^ D'uji^ ftagi(Wtv^ol*jbile, afugace;: il^iij baL E a pii^; lido cttltor pofiiaiiin governosvA lii^rft wiriT Uiiir. potrai nella tranquiHa;.paccio -^w fWitW Ad eterna. Ijeilezza udore eterno. ' • » 'i ^ TRANS- ( 296 ) TRANSLATION. OOM SONNET. Not thee, O Hymen! fabled god, I hail," Nor afk thy fancied torch, and garland vain ; Nor her, whom Greece with legendary tale' Has feign'd the produce of the foaming main : But thee alone, celeftial, facred Love ! To guard the royal couch, I fuppliant call ; Tlaee, by whofe laws the conftellations m(ive, And order governs this terreftrial ball. Thrice happy pair ! with ev'ry grace endow'd ; Still in your race let Italy be proud, And each new hero fwell her former fame : Thus Hiall we both in noble ftrife contend, Whilft we on you, for evVy hope depend, And you furpafs the boldeft hope we frame. ( 297 ) ORIGINAL, •03* METASTASIO. NoN delle nozze il favolofo Numc Col finto ferto, o la fognata face Non lei, che figlia delle falfe fpume Finfe la Grecia garnila, e mendace, Ma te d'intorno alle reali piume Te folo invoco, o fanto Amor verace ; Te, per cui prendon gli aftri ordine, e lume E,ftan le fpheie, e gli elementi in pace. E voi fpofi felici a pr6 di noi Reiidete ormai del gloriofo feme Superba Italia per novelli Eroi. Contenderem con bella gara infieme ; Noi riponendo ogni fperanza in voi ; Voi fuperando ognor la noftra fpenie. VOL. II. Q Q SONNET, ( 298 ) SONNE T, FROM CARLO MAGGL Through each-eflfc^l; to oue great caufe, of all/- The mind well taught its contemplation bends ■ And him alone the truly wife I callj Who to the Worker from the work afcends ; •■Hibni;a i saw i/ ._•_ ;v'> To teach his chofen all things HE controuls, Whofe word fix'd F^te, and changing Chance obeys ; Father of light ! upon their righteous fouls He:pour& the fplendor of his hallowed rays : The clouds He brightens of the heart unwife, Where, then he gives his/radiant form to. rife, As the fun's prefence the Parhelia prove ; Fron^ Him proceeds, to Him returns each ray, And while his fear to Wifdom opes the way> Her laftbeft Knowledge is to know his love. ( Q99 J SONNET, FROM CJRLO MAGGI. Hope, faireft bloflbm, antedatAl flow'r Of that eternal blifs which lliall be giv'n ; Offspring of Faith ! whence Charity its pow'r Derives, commanded by indulgent Heav'n ! Low as I am, by thy exalted worth I ftill refign not its parental care. By thy fuggeftion, though confin'd to earth, I feel its pardon, while its gface I ihare : Preft by the dangers of the world I groan, Yet while thy toice is heard iti Pity's tone, No fears aiTail me, but what love d^fttbVs ; And O betteath th' uplifted arm of Death; So let thy trftnfpotts foofh my parting breath, TJKtt fleeting Hope ittay change to endlefs joys. TRANS- ( 300 ) TRANSLATION. e«M SONNET. Eternal Sun : whofe beauty and whole ray. Dark with excefs of fplendor, blind my fight, How of thyfelf thou art enamour'd, fay. And how three perfons in one orb unite ! Thyfelf thou vieweft, and Avith mutual flame, Thy image and thyfelf breathe one defire. Nor is thy image lefs than thou, the fame, Nor lefs the ardour which ye both infpire : Of three thus one is form'd ; thyfelf the fource. The ilream engender 'd, and the blended courfe Of holieft union, which alike you prove ; One equal blaze diftindl in three you fhow, And ftill as colours paint the heav'nly bow. Art each, the Lover, the Belov'd, and Love. ( 301 ) ORIGINAL. ooia FRANCESCO DI LEMENE, Eterno fol ! che luminofo e vago, Sei troppo fofco all' intelletto mio, Di' come fei cli te medefmo pago, E tr^ perfone una gran mente unio ? In te fpecchi te ftelTo, e d'arder vago, De rimago che formi, h il tuo deiio, Ma non men di te fteflb, h dio I'imago, Ne men Tardore onde tu I'ami, h Dio : Cosl fei fatto trino egual, ti miri E quelle imago, e quel bcato ardore, Che generi mirando ; amando fpiri ; In tr6 lumi diftinto h il tuo fplcndore, Come diftinta in trb colori h un iri, E fei tu folo amante, amato, amore. TRAXS- ( d02 ) T R.A NSLATION. .u,.:aw..JONNET. Learn thou, my foul, by due degrees t' afcend From mor.tal beauty to th' immortal fair, Love to thy flight his faviing wings fliall lend, And Cynthia's beam her guiding light prepare: Pafs thro' three, periods ; — firft from matter rife, From frail allurement to Truth's lafting charm, Whofe form unbodied to the mind fupplies Its heav'lily radiance, holy hearts to warm : If mounting ftill, thy wings unwearied foar, Where Time, his fey the refigning, reigns no more. Then know thou treadeft where archangels trod ; Tlience to the One fupreme purfue thy courfe. And piercing onward through the bounded fource Of matter, time, and number, — gaze on God. . ( 303 ) ORIGINAL. GIOV. GUST. FELICE ORSI. Impara di falire anima mia, Aliommo b^n, da una heltk inortale, Amore a tuoi penfieri apprefta Tale, E di Cintia co i rai fegna la via ; Per tr^ gradi trafcorri — alzati*in pria Da la materia, e in feparar d al frale II puro effer del bello, apprendi quale L'iucorporea belt^ dell' alma fia : Se piu t'abij c lei miri in ficurtade, Fuor del corpo e del tempo, alhor comprendi, L'immutabile angelica beltade ; Quindi a Tunico bello inline afcendi, Che s'oltre la materia, oltre I'etade, Oltre il numero, ajTivi,— Iddio oj^ i^itendi.,,.. ( 304 ) TRANSLATION. oter - SONNET. Traxscendaxt Sun ! who from thyfelf alone Derived fplendor from thy caufe profound ; Whofe fmgle virtue, in three forms is fliown, Where fenfe and reafon fmk inAvonder drown'd J Thou in thy Son conceal'd, thy Son in Thee, "■ Both in the Spirit, glow with fecret fire, Sole Deity fupreme, diifus'd in Three, Where One, without divifion, reigns entire : Immenfe eternal Father ! Son immenfe, Coffival, boundlefs, ever-flowing loVe ! *' Whofe ftreams its waters to the Lamb difpenfe, " Fann'd by the plumes of Heav'n's defcend- ing dove !" But, lefs I know Thee, as I think the more, And more thy truth, as lefs I know, adore. ( 305 ) ORIGINAL. GIOV. BATTISTA ZAPPI. M ivlf Lu CI DO Sol, che non derivi altronde Che da te fteflb ampia cagion primiera L'unica cui virtute in tr^ s'infonde , , Per fi maravigliofa alta maniera; livi !fn\f.d"i rvwdT Til nel tuo figlio, il figlio in te fiifconde, Egli, e tu nello fpirto,— O fola e vera n'M Gran deit^, che il fuo poter difFonde Ma in tr^ diffufa in ciafcun rearna intera ; TO Eterno immenfo Padre, eterno immcnfo Figlio, immenfo ed eterno Amor ! ch ardendo, , NqI feno d'a^lbiduo, fei Dio con loro ; A-'voi m'inabzo, in voi m'affiflb, e penfo, Ma quanto piii a'voi penfo, io men v'intendo, E quanto men v'intendo, io piu v'adoro. VOJu,.^Xy R R TRANS- ( 306 ) TRANSLATION. os:• ' si'i cK - Oti the iirft triplet thus I enter bold, And as it feems my fpeed I.ftiU mav hold, Since this foundation is fo fairly laid :. .. rr NoAV for the fecond ; and fo well difpos'd My Mufe appears, t^at thirteen lines are clos'd ; Now count the whole fourteeii, — the fonnet '« ...'Dffi ()j .olti-i'i io; ;; j;iu oli'j"?/}) i'.l/; made. ' ' This fonnet is to be found tranflated in Dodsley's Col- lection, but it is not fo exa6tas it might be to the original. ( ti07 ) ORIGINAL, LOPE DE VEGA. Un foneto me manda hacer Violante ; Que en mi vida me he vifto en tal aprieto?'" Catorce verfos dicen que es foneto ; Burla burlando van los tres delante. Yo pcns^, que no hallara confonante, Y eftoy k la mitad de otro quarteto ; Mas fi me veo en il primer terceto, No hay cofa en los quartetos que me efpante. Por 11 primer terceto voy entrando, Y aun parece que entri con pie derecho, Pues fin con efte verfo le voy dando ; Ya eftoy en il fegundo, y aun forj)echo Que voy los trece verfos acabando : Contad fi fon catorce, y eiik hechd Tlitti ( 308 ) THE SONG OF PLEASURE, FROM THE CHOICE OF HERCULES BY METASTASIO, Ye thoughtlefs fouls, betray'd to ftrife, Who plough the faithlefs fea of life ; Your port behold, behold the neft, Where, fafe in undifturbed reft, Perpetual pleafures reign : Here each puifues, without reftraint ; The blifs his fondeft wifli can paint ; While, plung'd in Lethe's peaceful ftream, The mind is free from ev ry theme Of forrow, or of pain. Let no defu'€ of empty praife Your, fight beguile with dazzling rays ; Nor lofe in honour's vain career, Tlie prime of youth's delightful year, While }'et its pow'rs remain : . Life ». 309 ) Life is a flow'r, whofe brightefl hue ^ Appears beneath the morning dew ; In gaudy pride its buds arife, But foon the fading bloffom dies, And all regrets are vain. THE SONG OF VIRTUE, FROM THE SAME. Ye gen'rous fouls, whofe fteps purfue Blifs unpolluted, conftant, true ; Amid this train, by Virtue grac'd, Has Happinefs fmcerely plac'd Her everlafting feat ; Thofe joys refin'd, we feel, which flow UnfuUied with another's woe ; Which ftill unchancr'd the mind encase. And all the unavailing: rajre Of time and chance defeat. Remorfe ( 310 ) Kemorfe here Ihakes no threat ning dart. No hollile fear affails the heart ; No doubtful blufhes here inflame Our cheeks, no felf-accufmg iliame Defiles our pure retreat: Flow'rs may adorn the flatt'ring way. Where folly leads the wifh aftray ; But flow'rs conceal the faithlefs fnare, And fairn, we drive with fruitlefs care^ To free our captive feet. j\ Till- ( 311 ) :,Ani:gIUMPHAL SON€, fTtrrM THE BETVLIA LIBERATE 0^' META5TA^t6i CHORUS. .P RA I s E to the itiiglity G od , ^vhofe han d Hath forc'd his fofes to bite the ground,' ''^ Hath fought for this afflicted lahd, With triumph hdth the contefl crown 'd. JUDITH. Til' Affyrian came, a countlefs hod; Tlie Perfian files their aid fypply'd ; They meet, they march; th^ plains £y;e \(^^. ; Thcv halt,, they drink ; the dreams, are dry "d. Their fliafts obfcure the mid-day fun ; And Ifriiel app^U'd with fear, Thought 33 tl^e chief capic tow'ring on, , Tlieir final dav.of doom was near. CHOKUS ;-^e3e:peated- JUDITH. ( 312 ) JUDITH. Fire, fword and ruin, chains and death. In thund'ring voice his threats befpeak ; . And blafted by the cruel breath Palenefs befpreads Bethulia's cheek; But lo ! at once his daring pride Is crufli'd by unexpected fate ; liuii The tempeft roars, the clouds |v(bficl|^j^^. I ^ So difappears his baffled hat^f-jf^jvjj^:.^^ ..r ,(// CHORUS ; REPEATED. .i . . 1 ' i. JUDITH, Difpers'd, abandon^, and forlorn. Their flight tlte fell barbarians fpeed ; <3^n terror's wins: Airvria''s borne, ^ And wild difmay appals fh'e ]\Iede.' ' ' ' ' Nor were they giants, us'd t' aflail The ftars, who deal the fatal blow ; A woman's arm defencelefs, frail. Alone hath laid the tyrant low. u ^T/ ITgjjQj^y^ __j^^pj,^^^j^ . CONCLUDES. DEGREES ( 313 ) DEGREES OF CONTEMPLATION : FROM NORRIS OF BEMERTON, AND BISHOP TAYLOr's . CREAT EXEMPLAR. Within thy inmoft foul thy pow'rs withdraw, There think on truth, and its eternal law ; Let found by filent fpirit be fuppreft. Nor outward fenfe difturb thy inward reft : In heav'nly union let thy foul rejoice, And liften only to God's ftill fmall voice; Let facred flumbers clofe thy drooping eyes, Then wake to joy, and raptur'd ecftacies : Behold the fubftance of the fainted bleft, Thofe floating forms in robes of glory dreft ; The fcraph glowing in the flame he loves. The cherub moving as the fpirit moves*: Paufe on the glory of the ONE fupreme, While darknefs yet obfcures the fovVeign beam; • EZECHIEL. VOL. II. s s Till ( 3U ) Till the full rays be manifeft difplay'd, And thou behold him without veil or iliade ; Thenlhalt thou fee the fplendor of his throne*, And know thy God as thou thyfelf art known ii'; By knowledge Hiall thy blifs perpetual prove, Hope yield to faith, and faith be crown'd by love. GRAY. TU StVERI. Left in the Monaftery at the Grande Chartrcufc :— Vid. Mason's Gray. 4to. p. 117. O THOU ! whofe guardian pow'r amid thefe wilds Severe is hallow'd ; by whatever name Beft pleas'd thou hear'ft, (for fure, no wanton train, Oread, or Dryad, haunt thefe native ftreams, Thefe antique forefts ; where, 'mid licepy rocks Impervious tow'ring, cheerlefs fummits, craggs Abrupt, hoarfe torrents, and a night of ihade. Deeper we feel the prefence of a God, * Isaiah, f Paul. Thau ( 315 ) Than if inflirin'd in citron dome, he fhone The golden wonder of fome Phidian hand :) Hail Thou ! and if I right invoke thee, grant A way-worn youth thy placid, reft to find ! But, if thefe envied feats, thefe holy laws Of rigid filence, Fortune to my wifii Deny relentlefs, and with rapid force Reforb me ftruggling 'mid her boift Vous waves ; At leaft, O Father ! in fome lonely fpot, Some unmolefted hours of hoary age Grant me to pafs, and flielter me, fecure From worldly tumults, and the cares of men ! Blank verfe, on this, as on other occafions, has been judged more proper for a tranflation of lyrics, either Latin or Greek; as its meafiire, with the variety of paufes, is more confonaiit to the originals, where no rhimc was ever iifed. IDEAL ( 316 ) IDEAL WORLD: FROM THE DIALOGUES OF ROUSSEAU, PART. I. Assist me, fplrit of my guide, Rouffeaul While I in verfe thy profe more brilliant lliow; Thy World Ideal, deck'd with ev'ry grace Of thought and language, while I ftrive to trace. In outward fhape alike, yet not the fame, And wider ftill oppos'd in inward frame, Th' Ideal World, and its tranfcendant race, As here, their origin from Nature trace ; But more diftin6l its laws, in clearer light Each fcene of beauty ftrikes the wond'ring fight; With grace more foothing, with pow'r more in- tenfe, And brighter hues, each obje6i greets the fenfe : So fair its nature, that an ardent love, By contemplation raisd, their bofoms prove ; And ( 317 ) And while they fear in each accordant part ' To caufe difturbance, in their raptur'd heart They feel the gen'ro'us wiili, the warm defire; In all, with mind harmonious to confpire : Hence the foft fenfibility, which lives In ev'ry bofom, true delight which gives ; Charms to the tribes of common earth unknown, . Where animating fires have never fhone : — The paiTions there, as here, to a6lion move, But more dire6l, more efficacious prove ; Or lefs compounded, and ftill more refin'd, AlTume a purpofe of fuperior kind : — By nature all emotions tend to good. And lead to right, if rightly underftood, Preferve our being, and advance our blifs; — - But if perverted, their true objed mifs : A thoufand ohilacles impede their courfe. Or turn the current from its native fource ; To crooked paths our fteps bewilder'd bend, AVhcre man forgets his nature, and his end : Erro- ( 318 ) Erroneous judgment, prejudice and pride, Thus join, our better aims to turn afide ; Hence the weak mind Jts firft defign forlkkes, From ibme light ihock a new dired;Ion takes. Like balls of billiards, in advent'rous play Which, from the cuililon driv'n, obliquel}^ ftray: Not fo the pond'rous mafs from cannon fent, • Wlilch forces onward in its fiiH intent, Pierces at once the bulwark of the place. Or finks, repelFd, Inadllve at the bafe. Thefe happy beings Nature thus maintains. Augments their pleafure and relieves their pains, Whofe genuine paffions conflant joy produce. Nor by felf-love are warp'd to foul abufe ; Self-love' unfocial, folitary, bafe. Where thought of others holds no friendly place, Which bent on mifchlef, knows no brighter joy, But harms itfelf, its rival to deftroy. When thus mankind to ev'ry virtue loft ; By ev'ry ftorm of felf, or others toft. By ( 319 ) By vice alTaird, corrupted, led aftray, No more to truth or worth can find their ^vny ; What can the wife do more, than calm retire From clouds impeli'd by blafts of mad deli re? Or keep his ftation where his lot is thrown, Nor rifk by change new follies of his own ? The hapleis race with pity he furveys ; His placid bofom no refentment fways, Nor feeks their malice to return with wrong, But firm refifts the tumult of the throng : Tlius 'mid the din of elemental war, When Nature's germins in convulfion jar ; When thunders roll, and livid lightnings fly, And burft the concave of this nether fky ; When ocean heaves from its profoundeft bed, And uptorn illands rear their rifted head ; When giant waves, like Titans fam"d of old. Who fcal'd the Heav'ns, on trembling Ihore* are. roll'd, . Calm at his fummit, Teneriffe remains, Defies the ftorm in middle realms that reigns, Darts ( 320 ) Darts into regions of impervious fpace, Nor hears the billows roaring at his bafe. In this Ideal World, our race piiriiie, By diff 'rent paths, the fame exalted view ; With force collected, they attentive reft, Till with fuccefs their firp attempt be bleft ; That ftate celeftial, to whofe joy no chance With adverfe ftroke can make them not advance, While firm remembrance in their bofom lives, And new fupply of refolution gives : Hence lower obje6ls fmk beneath their care, ' Whofe glowing hearts admit no chill defpair ; To one fix'd point their fteady paffions tend, No means they alter, and they change no end. In deeds as different, as in Av.ords the fame, In man two motives urge their rival claim ; Unjuft felf-love, and love of felf allow'd ; ' This, gcn'rous, noble,— that, ignoblC) proud; 'i Juik.' Due ( 321 ) Due love of felf its harmlefs wifli ■would fill, Self-love its good creates on other's ill ; That fees direct its proper blifs alone, This ftill compares another's with its own ; DifpleasVl witliin, abroad it roams in vain, And counts its loflcs from another's gain : Hence there true honour, noble truth we trace, Here mean deceit, and well-defervVl difgrace. Obferve two diffVent youths : — in one, with pride, Hate, rancour, rage, and jealoufy abide ; The other glowing with Love's gen'rous flanie;*^ Their willies equal, and their hopes the fame : In one his hatred may furvive his love, Though loft, or fcorn'd, the joy he wifh'd to pro\*e j ^ On th' other's happy brow no frown Appears, He hates no rival, who no rival fears : Not that more virtue here perhaps is known. But love of virtue is more truly fljown ; VOL. II. T T Nature ( 322 ) fit Nature heifelf ftill good, to good defigns, And virtuous deeds, her happy Tons inclines; But the world's intercourfe the will pollutes, ■ ■ And what might angels be, converts to brutes ; Till rooted habits bafe obedience yield. And man with coward flight deferts the field. Crimes may, alas ! in this our world appear, Since virtue may, with onfet fo fevere. Be prefl; by palTions in th' unequal fight, That man may falter in his own defpite ; Commit the evil, and the deed detefl:, While fell remorfe with toiture teai-s his breafi; ; But Hill to cool delib'rate ill a foe, lie feels no 'envy, deals ho fecret blow, Treafon and fraud exert no pois'nous art, His hand is guilty, guiltlefs is his heart ; On faults of others he compaiTion takesj And ftill adores ;|tlieyntue he forfakes. No vain appearance, no external fliow, Thefe happy fpirits boaft, or wifli to know ; Whate'er ( 323 ; Whatever the rank by fortune they pofTefs, They raife not higher, nay would make it lefs ; They feek not honour, but content, to find, As njore fecure, more fuited to their mind ; Opinion lofes over them its pow'r, And fickle fafhion, changing with the hour ; True to true pleafure, wealth they fet at nought 5' - Who know true pleafure never can be bought ; And though the rich may deal their gifts around ; In thefe the good, and not in them, is found : •' Wealtli lefs amafs'd, flows in more equal flream, Nor can the gift the guilty gain redeem : But dearer far their liberty they prize, '■'^i Than all which may from rank or fortune rife'j^** To them dependance, with the rich man's cares. The load of pomp which ceremony bears, The fear to lofe, the trouble to employ, Would mar polfeihon, and their blifs dcflroy. By Nature thus, by reafon, only bound, They unfufpc^ing tread life's little round ; Each ( 324 ) Each day they pafs delighting to procure What may their own, or other's blifs enfurc ; And while of men the judgment they diiclain, Demolilh Error's mafk, and break her chain. Nor can fuch beings, like the reft of men. Or form their thoughts, or trace them with their pen ; Traces to thofe of foul congenial known, Who feel the truth, and its impreffion own : Thus mingling rays of many-colour'd light Mfx in one mafs, and fliine a perfe6t white ; From kind^d founts thus flow the flreams allied, And blend their murmurs as they focial gUde ; Thus Aretliufa, with attraclive charms, Receives Alpheus with enfolding arms, Waits in the verdure of Siciha's plain, Or meets her love beneath th' Ionian maki : Hence the magnetic touch, with fix'd controul, Their thoughts affociates to the guiding pole ; Baffles • ( 325 ) Baffles light efforts of all vain pretence, And from the heart alone appeals to fenfc. No books of lengthen'd labour they indite, Few would the folio's be would angels write ; But when the obje<5l rifes to their view, The path themfelves have pointed they purfue ; Some bright difcov'ry for the ufe of man, Somet ruth important, fome extenfive plan ; Some glowing pidure, fome afpiring fane, Some airy tow'r which fcorns the lowly plain ; Some brilliant phantom they by fancy fee. Not what man is, but Avhat man ought to be ; Such as of old before the patriarch's eyes AVere given in facred fl umber to arife. When choirs of feraphs, link'd in ardent love, He faw dcfcending from their realms abm-e ; In circling bands awhile he faw them fly, lie heard celcftial warblings pierce the fk}'-, Till re^afcending from all human fight, llieir melting forms were loll in floods of light. Thcfc ( 326 ) Thefe aifi the motives which theh- pens engage, To amend the prefent, warn fome future age ; To fuch, no period of appointed years, The. time- moft proper for the work, appears ; - But then» when glitt'ring with benignant rays, The rifing dawn of thought its light difplays, In hues more radiant than the blooming flow'rs, From rofy fingers which Aurora fliow'rs, Whenjke proclaims the Sun's revivins- ray, And the^ announce the beam of Reafon's day ; They feize the pen, afcend the Mufe's throne. And write with ardour hardly deem'd their own, Thenxfelves unconfcious of the flame divine. Which glows in each unlabour'd polifh'd line^ And if no great occafion lliould afford A caufe to manifeft this fecret hoard, Their thou^-hts, their woyks, may never fpring to light, Abforb'd in more than dark oblivion's night ; Like gems and gold, in fome unfought for mine, Doom'd ne'er, withdrawn from central depths. to fliine. ONa- ( 327 ) O Nature ! Providence ! O Pow'r fupreme ! Whence flow the treafures of the poor man's dreamf The firm refourCe to which the wretched fly, When wrong and infult their keen fconrge ^pty'f He to whofe heart thy holy laws are known, Who mjtkes their helps liis tmft, and tlioie al'on^ ; Whofe mind within enjoys a tranquil reign, Whofe outwarcl form feels no attack of pain : Thanks to thy bleffing, a defencelefs prey Can never fall to haughty human fway ; In man's defpite, and all by man defign'd, Thy bleft afylum he is fure to find ; By cruel hands through prefent life oppreft, He finds a future hope illume his bread ; Imagination prefent good fupplies, And fancy gives what real truth denies. Far more : — He only taftes of real blifs, Since earthly gifts, which ftill their purpofe mifs, Fly from the grafp illufive, falfe and vain, Of him, who deems they will fecure remain : But ( 328 ) But no controul tyrannic can fupprcfs What friendly fancy gives them to poflefs ; Gain without lofs, entire, without alarm, Where men and fortune lofe the pow'r to harm. But here, bright fpirit ! who by Avoes oppreft. Haft gain'd at laft thy ftate of blifs, or reft, Haft join'd thy better Julia, and her friend, In realms ideal, thou thyfelf haft pcnn'd ; Here let me clofe this tributary ft rain. With wifh as ardent, as mj'- pow'r is vain, To crown thy genius with its juft applaufe, And ftill defend the truth, thy fav'rite caufe. SONNET, ( 329 > SONNET, FROM ROUSSEAU: JULIE, LETT. 50. Chaste powV of Love ! whofe fleady fires refine Tlie meaner drofs of man's corrupted franie ; Each wand'ring wifh in one fix'd hope combine, Stamp'd with thy dread inviolable name : To thy commands let Senfe the reins refign, Or veil its tralifports M^th thy decent iliame ; Whofe joys conceal'd with heighten'd luftrefliine. As midnight fires with doubled fplendor flame : To thofe, whofe paffions undetermin'd ftray, Intent alone on Pleafure's worthlefs prey, Each man is lovely,, and each woman fair ; True Love from all, one, "only one fele6ls, That idol high above all thought ere6ts. And finks all others far beneath its care. VOL. II. U u FROM ( 330 ) T-ROM THE SAME. Ye (lays of pleafure, days of glory ! days Too exquifite for mortal lot, too bright r>^ To pafs fo fudden ! an ecfiatic trance Abforb'd your whole duration, in one point Cblle6led all, one univerfal now : — I knew no paft, no future, but at once Enjoy 'd the tranfports of unnuuiber'd ages. Ah rhe ! like lightning have you difappear'd > My* eternity of blifs hath only filFd One inftant of my being ; time refujnes Its flownefs, clogg'd by moments of defpair ; And ftale difguft marks out, by tedious years, The melancholy renmant of my days. ^^_j_, vrol «i fifirs Thefe exttTi(Sls (and many more remain) are fakeh (torn tliat fuperior, but uphappy work, which niuft he cenfured by all thofe (a'nd how numerous the tribe ! ) who have either no hearts to feel its tranfports, or diftrefles; or thofe who with equal, though with different failings, have done fo little to regain the virtues which they have loft. To ( 331 ) To fuch, So bright an objeft of efteem retriev'd, Muft caft fuch dazzling rays, as to confound Their half-form'd merits, or their faults confirm'd. And wound their confcience, or alarm their pride : Who then will praife ? Thofe who have worth fufficient. To need no trophies from another's fpoil ; Who can fecure behold the diftant danger. Yet feel for thofe lefs happy than themfelves; Who fcorn Ulyffes, and his doubting caution, When cords confin'd him ftruggling to the maft ; But with attentive ear, and juft applaufe. Can hear the Siren's voice, yet fliun the fliore. E 11 R A T A. Page 8, foi' soacial, rcafl social. 47, ver. 1, Latin— y^r salutis, rwrf sohitis; a//rf/or sepentibu.*, read serpentibus. 55, ver. 7, Latin— ^or latnp, read la-la. ^S, Title — the word corpora should begin ano/licr line. 194, ver. 7,.Fr«nch— ^►r se, rcadjf^. There may be a few more errata, whose correction is left (o the sagacity of the reader. POSTSCRIPT. Many Tranjlations^ mthfome Profe EJfays, are nffio omitted for xmnt oftimeandfpacey but may hereafter appear. PHnted by W. Ruffy, Leadenhall Street. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS ON SOME OF THE ORIGINAL POEMS IN THE FIRST VOL. VOL. H- NOTES AN D OBSERVATIONS. On Hie Tabula Euguhina. In 1444, at a town in Italy, anciently called " Igiivium, in modern Italian, Eugubio, fituated in Umbria, at the foot of the Apennines, towards the Weft, fome brafs plates were found in a ruined wall, and fattened to it by cramps of iron, as re- prefented in one of the vignettes of the ' Etrufcan Antiquities,' by S. W. Hamilton, in his firft vo- lume. On thefe plates' are infcl'iptions, in the moll antient Pelafgic chara^^rs. Thefe plates had fre- quently exercifed the fagacity of the learned, in Italy : their inquiries Cori purfued in his ' Mu- feum Etrufcum,' printed at Florence, in two vo- lumes, folio; and, by joining his learning to the former inquiries, he determined the chara^lers; and IV NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. andfuppofing the language to be the tEoIIc Greek, brought into Italy by the Pelafgi, he attempted an explanation of each word; and found the whole to be a'hymn in time of the greateft diftrcfs, arif- ing from a peflilence and famine. This event he con- firms by a paflage in Dionyfius of Halicarnaffus, who quotes from a more ancient hiftorian, called Myrfilus, the Lefbian, that more than one century before the fiege of Troy, fuch a calamity did hap- pen in that part of Italy. On thefe grounds, Gori calls the infcription, on the Tabula Eugubina, the Carmen Orthion. The charafters are read from right to left, according to the more ancient orien- tal form, before the Bouftrophedon was admitted; •which alternate method ended in the Weftern lan- guages, with an entire change of writing from the left to the right. — The original has no ftops, or punftuation ; and, as well from the rapid expref- fions of diftrefs, changing from invocation to def- cription, and vice verfa, as from the imperfeSt ftate of language in thofe very early periods, very few, if any, connectives are admitted in the broken fentences. This particular form, Gori has ftriclly obferved in his Latin verfion, which is placed, ver- batim, under the original words; and the Englilh paraphrafe, has obferved the fame, as far as was confiftent NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. V confiftent with any degree of perfpicuity. It may be juft remarked, that the opening of the CEdipus Tyrannus of Sophocles, with the firft choric ode, together with the firft chapter of the prophet Joel, bear much refemblance to the circumftances and (Ituation of the Carmen Orthium, here tranf- lated into Latin profe, and into Englifli verfe; on the form of which laft, thefe previous remarks are offered by the writer of the paraphrafe. Poetry without mufic, in ancient ages, would have been as abfurd as, in the modern, is mufic without poetry. The rhythm of the vcrfe, and the time of the notes to which it was fung, were once conneBed with, and dependant on each other; or were, indeed, the fame. How this union, by the ancients, was produced, we are how uncertain ; and, in modern mufic with words, its ufe is loft, l^he greater divifions, therefore, of this hymn, in Englifti, are not intended to have any reference to the ftrophe and antiftrophe of the ancients, but only to guide the mufical compofer (if ever the hymn fhould appear in its due form), in the choice of airs and recitative, as well the fimple, as the more adorned fpecies, called accompanied, as they may feem to require the different application. Whether the ancient mufic was fuperior to the modern, ^""I NOTEi-AN'D OBSERVATIONS* modern, mu ft remain undecided; but, of the fu- periority of ancient verfification, as to rhythui, there can be no doubt, from the variety of mea- fures and of feet which, for different purpofes, were employed. This is evident in the meafures . and feet, -which are known, and whofe effeB; may be perceived : in the apparent irregularity, indeed, of many of the lyric or choric meafures, there is nearly as much difficulty of conception, to mo- dern ears, as in the mufic. In modern verfe, the iambic, and its inverfion, the trochee, are all the feet which we can apply, at leaft, in ferious w^orks; for the anapaeft, of which we have fpme notion, with its inverfion, the daByl, is beft fuited to the lighter fpecies of po- etry ; all, therefore, which modern poets can do, and efpecially in the lyric, js to produce what va- riety they are able, by the following methods : the mixture of the iambic and trochaic feet, by ch!» ploying diJSerent lengths of the yerfe, as to the member of either feet, and by an intercha^nge or jbltmding of the final founds, now called rhyme; r^Kt never, I think, ufing lefs than two feet or four -fyllabiies, and fcarce ever more than five feet or tenfyU^bles ; for the Alexandrine, as it is called, iecnas rather two verfes of three feet each, than aay diftina ^'OTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Vll diftinft fpecies: thefe methods, in the paraphraFe of the hymn, have been applied. To the mufical compofer, the longer lines will, perhaps, fuggeft the recitative of both kinds, and the more fhort, or unequal lines, will belong to the airs or ^ho- rufTes ; but, in general^ in our days, poets know fo little of mufic, and muficians of poetry, that it is a vain attempt to produce any intercourfe be- tween them, fo as to promote the union of found andfenfe, which muft be the pcrfeftion of the two arts combined. The meafures, therefore, of the hymn, in Englifh, I leave to the ears andtafteof the learned and candid reader. — The following, is the verbal tranflation by Gori ; in ^d"lich the lines after the words fhow only, where the lines of the original infcription end, and return to the right fide of the plate :— — Eftote filii percuffi fimul Inccndite nunc Urnas impofitas odoramentorum- Remedium fiigam extremi (i. e. Mali) diffufi. Dilatate Viri adftantcs guttur- Frater Fratribus oftcn- tato Ignem Merfus divifus (Ignis) eft — ^ Pueri dilatate guttur valide Puerae adltantes facris clamate gutture Matres omnes ter can- ttt ululate Clamate Virae (virgines adukac)— - Fratrum (omnia) inaufpicata— — -iriulate Fili» I difpcrfa. VIH NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. difperfa clamantes Arva everfa defolatum Far nimia Uredine facrum clamate (carmen) — — Speciofi proventus defiderati in Arvis Specio- facamporum vaflata funt Faetus fpeciofi auclo duplo malo fubmerfi Clamate gutturibus ever- fi Clamate exuftione Optima fubverfa Proventus fubverfi Arbores feraces fubverfae plus tres Annos Exuftione extinfti proventus tres Annos — . Extinftae Arbores feraces fu- mantes Extinftae fugatae ululate tem- pore ab illo fugerunt fru8:us annui pingues r- perficcata Dona fugit Far ^grae funt Res everfae facrae tua rjeceffaria fumme Jovis Pater Calamitatem averte Dexter tua dona Per Fratres Sacerdotes Patresjureadefto — Alumnos per luventutem — produc tua necefla- ria Alimenta Ululate Clamate Tuanecef- faria fumme Paftor publicedepulfor pro- duc tuam neccffariam nardum Eheu dif- perfumeft Officium noftrum Vide per Fratres Sacerdotes Patres ^jure adefto totam per juventutem alumnam facram Vivifica ar- mentorura foetus defolatos arvorum foetus cla- mate Adfpira matura foetus confolida , ■ ■ Pauperes tuos penuria laborentis intuere folidam profer frumenti copiam Sirium fub- • trahe NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. ix trahe a fcetibus Epulas ofFerimus trementes — omnes tuos pauperes intuere Averte averte Luem Paftor publice. On the Ophi'Cycloptero-morphic Symbol, TO fome readers, thefe few fliort notes of ex-r=( planation may perhaps be acceptable: — . . Verfe 3. — vid.- 1 Pet. i. 12. Verfey. — vid. Ads, vii. 22. Verfe 12.— This line is from the Platonic phi- lofophy, which teaChes, that there is one in many, and many in one. This is illuftrated by a feal, and the impreffions taken from it; where the feal is one, and the impreffions arc many. Verfe 14. — The gradations arc 5, from Faith, Light, or Spirit, to brute matter. Verfe 17. — vid. A6ts, xvii. 28. Verfe 21. — God is called, in Plato, Form of Forms; as diftin6l from, and pre-eminent above matter ; here it is Father of Forms. Verfe 29. — vid. Prov. viii. 22, &c. Verfe 30. — The Chrift is the image the Father; as by a figure, fhapes are reflc6lcd from a mirror; but vid. Hcb. i. 3. VOL. II. b Verfe ^y/[ isOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Verfe 41. — In mofl of the fymbols, the wings are divided into three ranks ; — one plain fpace, for fpiritual beings; one, with one fet of lines, acrofs the fpace, for rational beings; and, one with two lines croffing each other, reprefenting in- ferior animals, and mere matter, Verfe 51.— -/V knowledge of geography renders explanation, in thefe lines, needlefs. Verfe 61. — In thefe two lines the difference of letters, as chara6lers, and of hieroglyphics, as fymbols, is marked. Verfe 67.-— -vid, Horn. Odyff. B, 24, at the be- ginning, with Clark's notes ; and the paffage, from Dionyfius of Halicarnaffus. Verfe 79.— The hieralph, is the letter ^ placed jfideways, ^ox/aa'ed purpofes. Verfe 90, — In this, and the following lines, the evil principle, or the origin of evil, is marked under the various names and types of various times and nations. Verfe 97. — The butterfly, papilio or pfyche, \s generally ufedas an emblem of the immortality of the foul, as a figure, from the different forms ^nd ftates of that animal. Verfe log.-^Thoth, in Egypt; Hermes, in C;"?eQe; ai^d, Mercury, in Etruria, or Italy, are #)OtlES ANDOBSERVAtlONi* i'*i names or titles of fome great and very ancient in- ftru6lors of mankind* The firft, by later Gre- cian writers, is called Trifmegiftus;— the fymbol is borne in the hand of many Egyptian idols* Verfe io8.-^This hieroglyphic is called the cone of light, and that of darknefs; to reprefent the afTiftance of the fupreme, to correal the cor- ruption of man upon earth ; and the attempts of Corruption to refift the aid from above ; till, what is expreft in lines 109 and 110. Verfe ii8.-^The three terms here employed, have the fame meaning and intention as the three mentioned in verfe 6. Verfe 120. — vid. 1 Con xv. 28. Verfe 122. — Jehovah, is a compound expref- fion of Time, in its three forms of paft, prefentj and future ; according to the rudiments of the He- brew grammar^ it has been called tetragrammaton, from the four charatters nin» which are infcribed at the top of mod altar pieces in the Chriftian churches; — and, Shiloh is Hebrew {oxjent. Oh Xii NOTES AND OBSERVATION^, On the Sonnet. THE Sonnet has been generally confidered as the production of the moft early Proven9al poets, called Troubadours, in the middle or at the be- ginning of the 13th century, and in the fouth of France, on the confines of Italy, when the Cru- fades had brought fome refinement of literature from the Eaft into Europe; and here, after many rude attempts, as is the cafe with all new inven- tions, Petrarcha, in the middle of the 14th cen- tury, carried that fpecies of writing to its higheft perfeBiion; inwhich he was followed by Bembo, Arioflo, Taffo, and many others of later date; and, which is ftill a favorite mode of compofition in Italy, on all fubjefts of a public or a private na- ture. They have been chiefly written in Italian, which became diflinB; from the Latin, by admit- ting, from the Celtic and Teutonic diale£ls, many northern words; and, by changing, principally, the inflexions of the Latin verbs into terminations more open and flowing: Sls Jono iox Junt^ amano for NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS* ilji for hmanf', and is ftilL fuperior to the Frencb, where the nafal endings in N, and the mute E, either with or without the added letters unpro- nounced, render the verfes of that language fo much lefs melodious than the poetjc form of ma- ny others; and fo much more difficult to be read, fo as to give any efieft to the verfe, and to ob- ferve the laws by which it is compofed : fo pecu- liar, indeed, is the Italian tongue for its foftnefs of found, that moft words, and in poetry nearly- all, end with a vowel or a liquid; hence it is lb adapted to mufic beyond any language, whofe true pronunciation is known. The Latin lan- guage was always prcfervcd for the church, and for works, chiefly, of facred learning; but the blended dialed was called la Lingua volgarc, in . fo much, that volgorizzare was a term fynony- mous for tranflation from the old Latin into the modern Italian. In the fonnet, rhyme was always uled, in dif- tinQion from the ancient rythm, and i.s, moft pro- bably, a modern invention of Europe; though fomc authors fay, that the fimilarity of the found of words, at the ends oflines, was not unknown to the Orientals, perhaps, at a more early pepod. la all nations, more moderP; rhyme fcemsric^ie- XlV MOTES ANO OB^EilVATlONSJ a fupplement to the various feet and meafures ufed by the Greeks, and from them by the Ro- mans; who owe all their learning and improve* ments to the Etrufcans, and their elegance and re- finement to their Grecian intercourfe: and, in my opinion, poor and weak is the fubftitute for fuch diflinguifhedornaments of poetry, as were the richnefs and fweetnefs of the ancient verfification; befides, that it fubjefts the freedom of expreflion to an irkfome chain, of which the greateft merit confifts in its bcincr the liditeft borne and when it leaft difcovers the fliackles which it impofes. The Italian language is, indeed, very fertile in rhymes; and, therefore, the reftraint gives lefs trouble to the writer, and by the reader is lefs perceived. Thefe rhymes have been differently arranged by different poets, and by the fame poets, in differ* ent parts of their w^orks, as to the two firft qua- trains, as they are called; but thefe quatrains, liardly ever admitted more rhymes than two, and in the two triplets, of three verfes repeated, a change was admitted in each ; but, moft often, the third verfe of the firft, and the third of the lafl: Vere in ftri6l rhymes. The number of verfes, then, in a fonnet are always fourteen; for which peculiar number, a reafon for a long time, in vain, was NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. XV was fought, till one was.fuggefted by a fonnct of Taffo, tranflated at p. 286. In this fonnet, the fub- jeQ; was propofed in the firft four lines, purfued ia the next four, and, an allufion to the main fub- jeft was made in the fix, which concluded the compofition. In many of the original Englifii fonnets, written after this fort of difco very, that form of arranging the fubjccl and the allufion, or fimile, has been adopted, and, perhaps, with this improvement, that the iuh jc^ p?-opo/ed in the firft four lines fhall be purfued in the fecond four, cither by extenfion or contraft, in a kind of paral- IcUfm, the great difcovery of Lowth in his Hebrew poefy; and in the two triplets or fix lafl lines of the allufion, the parts of the fimile in the firft three fhall refer to the four of the firft quatrain, and in the laft three, to the four of the fecond, vid. Original Sonnets, p. 141. Thismcthod may feem to add to the difficulty of this fpccies of compofi-> tion; but in very fhort works, a difficulty con-, quercd is an added merit; and the method certain-i ly conduces to that precifion of the expreffion, which has always been allowed as a merit in the fonnet; ahd this merit is much procured by the proper ufe of antiihefis, a figure of fentences, fg QftQO condemned, but io conftantly applied by 2 the XVI NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. tBe writers lin all languages. And, for this rea- fon: affbciatioa of ideas attends mod of our per- ceptions, as light may be called the abfence of dafknefs, and darknefs is the privation of light; and eitbenof the one, naturally induces the thought of the other, and by the contrail give a mutual llrejigth. It is true that the antithefis fliould be more in the thought, and defs in. the words ; in ivhich.Iaft,. when it is fought with labour, or does not,, in! the terms^ cxaBly agree with the relative fi^bjeHs', it is ever faulty; but, the abufe of truth arid of propriety is no valid argument againft the true and well-applied ufe of any form of writing.*' Tiietriie. antithefis and the fimile, which is a fpe- caesiof it, is founded bn the -ftriftell principles oft fciencef in the doftrine of proportion ; and, the fi-i miler ^d comparifonis fo mentioned by AriRotle,, in his Poetics: where the four terms of the fls^y, and field, the flars, and the flowers, are adduced as the effential requifites of a metaphor ; that is, ihe iky has ftaxs, and the fields have flowers: and, therefore, by metaphor, the terms may be tranf- ferred, fo that ftars may be called flowers of the fky, and flowers may be called the flars of the field. In the fymbols of proportion they are thus * And this tnay be, alfo, applied to alliteration. NOTES AX'D OBSERVATIONS. XVlI expreft: — Stars : fky :: flowers : field. I do not expeO; that in modern times of avowed and prefump- tuous ignorance, or in thofe of concealed and un- grateful knowledge, this reference to Arlftotle witl have great weight; but, I am certain that thd ftriftnefs of a fcientific method may, with great utility, be applied to fubje6ls of criticifm as well as thofe of morality; and produce that accurate diftinftion of ideas in which true knowledge and comprehenfion, or underftanding, confift, and with- out which, all difquifitions are confufcd, obfcure, imperfe6l, and ineffeftual. But to return to the fonnet: — the laws of this compofitron are remark- ably fevere, infomuch, that Boileau faid, a perfe6l fonnet was worth an epic poem. The feverity of thefelaws confift, firft, in the unity of the thought, or the fubje6l, to which the writer, of a legitimate fonnet, muft, without the leaft variation, adhere. Next, no important word, as a noun or a verb, muft be frequently, if ever, repeated; then the connexion of the parts, in the whole, muft be clofely dependent on each other, by links always exifting, though not always apparent; and, the breaks muft be filled up by the moft obvious and natural ellipfis. Laftly, the gradation of the cli- max, the thought, and di6lion, from the firft line to the laft, is to be obfcrved. The fonnets of VOL. ii» c Pctrarcha, Xviii ^ NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. Petrarcha, notwithftanding all the beauty of the diftion, are deficient in this gradation; as the eight firfl lines are often fuperior to the fix laft, and but feldom the laft line is the moft full of thought. A Ibnnet may be confidered as a ferious epigram, and in all epigrams, as well in the fimple manner of the Greek, as the fatyrical or pointed form of moft in Martial, the laft verfe comprehends and confirms all the preceding; the defeat, in this par- ticular, is objefted to Petrarcha, and was one caufe of adopting the new method of the fubjeft and the correfponding fimile. The fonnets of Milton, both Italian and Englifh, fo evidently drawn up in the manner of Petrarcha, have the fame fuggefted imperfeftions ; as alfo many of thofe of Mrs. Charlotte Smith, the fimple pathetic of which may, perhaps, be preferred to the eleva- ted diftion of Petrarcha, or the propofed innova- tion in the form of the fonnet. The madrigal may be confidered as the fhorter fonnet, not confined to any certain number of lines or to the larger meafurc of the Italian heroic repeated. Its thought is ftill rpore fimple than that of the fonnet, and the point or clofe is more ftridly obferved. I have, fometimes, thought that as the Italian fe- renata is, evidently, from Jersno^ the evening, the N0TE5 AND OBSERVATIONS. XIX the madrigale may be from the Spanifli madrugare^ Avhich means to rife early in the morning; and, therefore, that. the madrigale is the morning fong, as the fererjata is that of the evening; but, on this I lefs infift, as my knowledge of the Spanifli lan- guage is very imperfeQ. There is a whimfical fon- net, written by Lopez de Vega, on the difficulty of that compofition; it is replete with true ridi- cule, as it attacks only the form and not the fub- ftance of fuch a kind of writinjr; to which fub- fiance it neither does, nor can, offer any injury, or make its true worth lefs efteemed. This bur- lefque has been rendered in one of the volumes of Dodfley's CollcQ.ion, vol. ii. p. 321. The tranf- lation is not quite fo perfeft as it might be^ an(i an attempt has been made to keep ftill clofer tq the original; for in all tranfiations it is the princi- ple., and has been the intention, of the writer of thefe Ihort effays, to adhere, moft ftriftly, to the f^ofe, and wliere it is poffible, to the words and their conflru6lion, which are u fed in the originals: if it is not poffible, the attempt has, in general, been laid afidc; and with all due deference to the Nee Verhum Verho of Horace, a more extended, or lajt tranflatioji is rather a paraphralis than a me- taphrafis, Qx exchange of ditlion, I infert the ori- ginal JCX NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. . ginai^panifh, that the metaphrafis may'be more difti.nQly perceived. I fliall ftill add an obfcrva- tion concerning the rhymes, in which, thetranf- lations, as well as the originals, are written with a lefs frequent repetition : — the Italian language is fo fertile in its rhymes, that,- without any difficulty, they occur to every writer who is the leaft accuf- tomed to verfe, either written or read. In Eng- lifii, the rhymes in the words are much lefs fre- quent," and, confequently, the attention muft be turned too much to the inferior parts of the compofition, and thus endanger the accuratb concifenefs of the expreffion, and thejufl difpd- fition of parts through the whole, in which the f^- perior' merits fo much confift.^'lt' will therefore'b% moll often found that in thefe Englifh fonnets, ori- ginal or tranflated, the rhymes in the two quatrains are changed; the crofTcd or alternate rhymes alfo of firft and third, fecond and fourth, inftead of each two in unbroken fucceffion, has been c6ti- ftantly adopted, as being a medium between blank verfe, as it is called, and the more common rhymes of each two verfes. Dryden, in fome of his po- ems, calls thefe alternate rhymes, in the four lines, the heroic ftanza; the reafon of fuch an appella- tion is not very eVident, '^ndTucceeding poets, vith • NOTES AND OBSERVATIOXS. XXI with Hammond and Gray, in particular, have ap- plied thcfe alternate rhymes to elegy, in which, fubjefts more ferious, or plaintive, have been treated; and, as the fonnet is neither fo elevated as the heroic in blank, nor fo deprefled as the common elegy, the mixture of the alternate, in the quatrains, and the more free difpofition in the triplets, has been moft generally ufed. The great difference, however, between blank verfe .and rhyme, which confifts in making the leffer parts of ^he fentence either run into different lines, or be inclofed in the compafs of one or two, has been moft often obfervcd in favor of rhyme; which, though the writer of this efTay be a decided friend tdWdnk or free m^afure, in longer and more fei Bbtriworks, yet in thefe fhorter and more reftrift- cd toimpofitions he has thought, as more agree- able to common tafte and praBice, fo alfo more adapted to the ilrudure of tic fonnet; of whiph, either tranflated or-, original, he has compofed fo confiderable a riumber in that moft ftudied man- ner and form. Milton, indeed, from his fuperior talents in free mcafures, and from his ftri6l imita- tion of the older Italian writers of fonnet, has blended the free ftru6lure of blank verfe and the confinement of rhvme ; by which, he has left no certamty XXU NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. (Certainty of difference in the forms of either; has loft. the be{]; effeO: of rhyme, and checked the flow of the verfe, more free, by an ufelefs appearance of rcftraint. But to return to Petrarcha, and to conclude, indeed, this critique on the fonnet and its moft dillinguiflied writer; the numerical critics have, I doubt not, with confidcrable toil, obfer- ved, that the numbers, in an arithmetical fenfe, of the words ufed by Petrarcha, arc very fmall. I really have forgotten the refult of their enumera- tion; but, at once, afking the pardon of fuch exael and enlightened calculators, and to make fome amends for the defe6l of my memory in fuch an important point, I will venture to fuggeft a charac- ter of Petrarcha, as to the general famenefs of his fubjeQ-s and the particular variety of which, in the fmall number of his words, he has invente4 the application : " Small is the ftream, which to his Mule fupplies Its ftream, but on its banks fuch flow'rs he culls As deck his thoughts with beauties numbedefsj Creating for himfelf, in either mood, As Hope or Fear, each in his bofom reign'd, A world of tranfport, or a world of woe."— — — A NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. XXlU AJhort Explanation of the Sum and Purpofe of the Mgyptian Hieroglyphics : tranjlated from the Pampbilian Ohelifk; by Athan. Kir c her, p. 2^6. — et p. 396. WHEN the Egyptian priefts had learned, by the doftrine delivered in fucceffion by the aneient patriarchs, that divinity was infufed through all things, their chief and fole employment was to dif- cover the effefts of fuch divinity, as lay conceal- ed in each and all the degrees and orders of natu- ral beings; and to exhibit them, when difcovered, with propriety, by fymbols apt, and taken from the nature of the things. Hence, they applied their minds to inveftigate the powers and proper- ties of all animals: as, moreover, they thought, Genii were appointed by God to prefide over every order, thev endeavoured to know, by the deepeft refearches, under the protection of which Genius, each fubltance, in the clafles of natural beings, was placed; by which knowledge, they held a firm pcrfuafion that, by adapted fymbols, facrifices, hymns, rites, and ceremonies, and by holinefs of life, they could render each genius pro- 2 pitious XXIV I^OTES AND OBSERVATIONS^ pitious to their prayers; and that, when his favof ■was obtained, they fhould, by his influence, ac- quire all kinds of happinefs; they thought, alfo, that, by fuch affiftance, all evils would be avert- ed, and were confident that, thus, after a happy courfe in this life, they fhould fecure a blifsful ftate in that which was to come. And this is the fubflance, and fum, and the purpofe, and end, of all the hieroglyphic learning, concealed under the fecret myfteries of all the fymbols, and all the other ceremonies, and rites. A. K. — vid. alfp. Obelifci Pamphil. p. 396. Thefe fymbols v.ere placed on the Obeliflcs, the facred utenfils, fuch as the table of Ifis or the mummies, and on the gates and walls of all the temples, as ftill remaining in the magnificent tem- ples of Luxore, or ancient Thebes, in the upper Egypt, and in other ruins on each fide of the Nile; of which, the befl information may befound in the travels of Savary ; and Norden muft be ap^ plied to for the bell defcription by plates. It has, in my private opinion, been fully fliowa by Kircher, that ideas, facred, moral, and po^ litical, are exprefl by the fymbols in hierogly- phics, and not, as. fome have thought, hiftoric fafts, records of time, or lefs" important calcula- ; tions. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS* XXV .tions. • The manner of enouncing thefe hierogly- phics is not by words to each charatier, but by what Kircher calls ideal reading; where, each type is to be, colleftively, unfolded, and the founds are to be omitted and the fenfe retained. The manner of doing it is, generally, in a perpendi- cular dire8;ion; as appears by the ideal reading which he has given of the ranks of hieroglyphics, from which, at p. 65, vol. i. the ode is compofed; and affumes the form of. Strophe, Antiftrophe, and Epode, confiftcnt with fuch divifion. The paraphrafe, in the ode, is formed on the LeBio Idealis of the hieroglyphics; as given in Kircher's CEdipus iEgyptiacus, vol. iii. p. 414 : where the three columns on the Nardian mummy are ex- plained ; and the fenfe of the fucceffive fymbols are thus extended into words: ■yji Column. Let the beneficent gate of Ofiris be opened to the deceafed. May he be conveyed to bis appoint- ed place, in the barge, by the three intelligences of the powerful Setlion. May life be granted to him, by him, who, with motion imperceptible, pervadeth all things. Let Apis be prefent, with the intelligences of the fun ; in whofe vehicles may he be drawn to the fourcc of the celeftial VOL. II. d Crater, XXVi NOTlfeS AND OBSERVATIONS. Crater, and by the watchful guidance of the pro- vidential Deity, may he find the center of con- templation, and live happily among the choirs of heavenly fpirits! Qnd Column. Let him lead the life above — joined and united by contemplation to the power fupreme — when he has fubdued all adverfity, and has been immerfed in the intelleftual Crater of Hemphta, let him be inferted in the chain of beneficent powers ; let him reign in the circles of bleffednefs free from the de- lire of inferior objefts; and when he has been fprinkled wiih/upra mundane dew., let him, in per- petual vigils, acquire ftrong wings which never will decay ! 3e marks by which it may app.ear that imitation has been employed, has followed the fame accuracy of in- vefligation of thofe fleeting objefts ; and the work of Diderot, fur les Sourds et les Muets, with the fmgular addition to the title, al'Ufagede ceux qui entendent et qui parlent, and that of Batteux fur les beaux Arts, are entitled to the ftriQeft no- tice: nor let it be objected that fo much flrefs is laid NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. xU laid on the French critics; fince truth and inftruc- tion belong to no peculiar nation; and, it may, perhaps, be found, that whatever the EngUfh have done in all times, on all fubje6ls of original com- pofition, criticifra and the rules of art have been cultivated both in profe and verfe, by the Frengh, with peculiar pcrfpicuity and fucccfi« On the Limits of Tranjlation. SO much has been already written on the , XubjeB of tranliations, that any new or confider- ablc lights can hardly be thrown on w^hat has been fo well illuftrated by precept as well as by exam^ pie : in the French authors, indeed, the abbe de Lille, in his preface to the Georgics of Virgil, as by him tranflated; — the treatife of d'Alembert in his Melanges, t. iii. — and, the inftru£lions of d'A- guefleau, in his Mercuriales, deferve particulaf attention; and fuch authors it is rather my inten- tion to point out to the reading of others, than to ^btrude, as my owi?i obfervations, what I have gained from their pcrufal. There is, however, one fubjc6l, belonging to tranflation, which has not yet . VOL. II. i been Xlii NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS* been particularly examined, and that is the limif, within which the thoughts and expreflions of origi- nal compofitions, (and I mean, chiefly, thofe in verfe) may be rendered fo as, not by prolixity and addition, to impair, or by concifenefs and omiffion to obfcure, •what in the originals has at- tained the due medium between oppohte defefts. It may be juftly obferved, and I think I am indebt- ed to d'AIcmbert for the knowledge though not for the application, that thofe authors, either in profe or verfe, whofe leading quality and merit is in the thoughts, are m.ore happily tranflated than thofe whofe efforts have been exerted on the expreflion, or what is fometimes called the ftyle of their works: — thus, in Greek, Demofthenes appears better in tranflation than Lyfias or Ifo- crates; ^fchylas than Euripides; in Latin, Vir- gil than Ovid; Livy and Cicero than Salluft, or Tacitus, or the younger Pliny; in Italian, Taflb has met with more fuccefs than Ariofto, and in that language above all than Mctaftafio ; in French, Corneille than Racine; but I will not longer purfue this apparent digreffion, and defer tha limits of tranflation, on which I intended to fuggefl: my opinion; and that on the following .principles :— it has been, by all grammarians, 1 agreed. NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. xHi 111 agreed, that verfe depends on regulated metre, metre on the number of feet, as they are called, feet on fyllables, which, according to ancient fyf- tcms, are long or fliort in time, cm", according to ideas more modern, are more or lefs governed by accent, tone, or ftrefs: the long fyllables, to ufe the ancient mode of fpeech, arc faid to con- tain two times, and the fliort only onetime; whe- ther this proportion of two to one be accurately juft is not important; certainly, the times, tone, or ftrefs, is unequal. Of thefe feet, the Latin and Greek metres, in the epic, contain fix; compofed with fome reftriBion, yet with variety, as to their places of da^yls and fpondees, which are feet of equal duration: 2+2 or 2+H-1. — (I beg to be excufed the ufe of thefe fcientific fymbols, in fpeaking on fiibje^s of literary criticifm; efpccial- ly, as I intend to adopt that form of notation, as I proceed on my purpofe.) It appears, now, that the fix feet, in the ancient epic, contain twenty- four times. In the Englifh heroic, whether it be blank verfe or rhyme, the number of feet employ- ed is five; and thefe, in general, compofed of what is called iambic, or the fhort fyllable preced- ing the longer. Each of thefe feet then contains fhree times, and the five feet arc equal to fifteen; now xliv NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS^ "now then let us inftitute this proportion, and in more fubjc8:s, than this of criticifm, the accurate mode of the Geometers may be applied; and, if done with due caution, wil"l always produce that perfpicuity of ideas fo peculiar to fcience. A Latin hexameter is, to an Englifli verfe, as 24 is to 15; or thus : L : E :: 24 : 15 :: 8 : 5. therefore, 5 Latin=8 Englifh, or in common terms, eight Englifh lines may be allowed to be tranflated from live of La- tin : — hence, whenever a paffage in Latin verfe is to be rendered into Englifh, we may fay, As five is to eight, fo is any given number of Latin lines, to be tranflated, to a fourth proportional obtained by multiplying the fecond and third term each by the other, and dividing by the firft; thus, if the given number of Latin lines be ten, the number of Englifh lines may be fixteen, for 5:8:: 10 : or 16. If the given number produce a fra8.ion in the pro- cefs, that fraction will exprefs how many parts of Englifh metre may be employed beyond the whole verfesj'as thus: — o 8X12 * 5 : 8 :: 12 : -j- or 19 f; or nineteen whole verfes, vrith y or one foot of the next ; NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. xlv next; and this will be found moft applicable to tranilations into blank vcrfe, where the metre is not reftriBed by the end of the line. Hence it ap- pears, how much more fitted for tranflations, from the Greek and Latin, is blank verfe than rhyme : and it w'ould be, perhaps, an invidious tafic to point out how much the very beft writers, in rhyme, have been embarralfcd by that fpecies of metre, in their tranflations from longer works; when two lines of rhyme were not fufficient to ex- prefs the fenfe of the original, and four lines were too much ; fo as, in one cafe, the defcft has been ' by omiffion, and, in the other, by redundance: and this is, perhaps, the rcafon of the triplet, or three rhymes, being introduced, as alfo, fome- times, of the Alexandrine, or verfe, in Englifh, of fix feet. The limits then, which are propofed, in tranfla- tions into Englifli, from Greek and Latin hexa- meters, are, that eight Englifli lines be allowed for five in either of thofe languages; and this limit, but moft often within it, will be found in thofe tranflations from the originals, whofe charafters are exhibited by dcfcription and allufion in. the verfcs correfponding to each author. In Latin and Greek iambics, called trimetri, the Icaft num- ber. xlvi NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. ber, in a pure iambic, is 18, the greateft is 21; the fum, therefore, is 39, and the medium is 19I; the leaft Englifh is 15, and the greateft, with two fpondees admitted, if there are any fuch in our language, is 17 — the fum is 32, and the medium 16; the number then, of Greek and Latin or Eng- lifh iambics, is nearly the fame. I will, for a mo- ment, purfue this theory of limits to the meafares, particularly, in Latin, called lyric, as principally the Alcaic, the Sapphic, and others; here the whole ftanza or fyftem muft be confidered as one mafs, and not each line : as for example, the four lines of the Alcaic will be found to confift of 64 limes. Such a ftanza of Englifh lyrics is to be found, whofe component lines ftiall, as near as pofTible, complete that number. I am aw^are, that the laft fyllable of every verfe, in Latin, is, Jup- fojed to be Icyig-, and, that the Englifli ftanza or lyric is almoft compelled to be in rhyme, how* ever difpofed, or whatevernumber of feet, in each line, be employed; for the Englifh lyric cannot be diftinguifhed from the epic, except by the dif- ferent number o{ fimilar feet which is ufed : — the Sapphic and other meafures may be reduced to the fame ftandard. The Sapphic, contains 5 times. I Ihall now conclude this fliort effay on the limits of KOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. xlvii of tranflatioHj by obferving, that, with refpe6l to the French and Italian epic (for I know little of the Spanifli, though, I believe, it agrees with the Italian), the difference between the original and the Englifli is but fmall. French heroic and tragic is ftridly hexameter, if the feet be fuppofed iambic: and the Italian confifts of five feet and a half, that is the falling fyllable fo peculiar to that language. The limits then, of the Englifh vcrfe and thofe of the French and Italian are nearly the fame; and the fame number of lines may be employed in each. It is not now the time to fpeak on the different divifions of French verfes into fix iambics, with their casfura, or into four anapaefts, as Marmon- tel, in his excellent Poetique, has fuggefled, with the caefura in the half of the line; nor of the var- riations, perhaps the licences, which the Italians allow in the flrudure of their metres : licences which our great Milton has taken, from his inti- mate knowledge of the Italian and Greek metres; and by which, many of his molt difficult lines may be explained. I fhall, therefore, conclude with tbefe two remarks : that the difficulty of the Ita- lian verfe arifes from the elifions of the vowels following each other, which the ductility of theix language xlViii NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS* language allows, and is bcft and mofl pradifcd by Petrarcha and Ariofto; and frqm the knowledge and due application of the mute E in the French, on which the truth of their verfification depends : and, that Voltaire, in my .opinion, is the beft ver- fificator, in his language; avoiding the languor of Racine, the rigor of Corneille, and, perhaps, the monotony of Boileau: but, on this opinion I do not infift, as thofe natives only, who are duly ac- quainted with the principles of their own verfi- fication, ought to decide on thefe points of inte- rior criticifm. I have faid that I do not mean to repeat what every fcholar knows without my teaching; and wifh, in the Horatian phrafc, that Ifungar vice Cods; not defiring of others what I, with Horace-, affert for myfelf : Nullius addiSus jurare in Verba. — Appendix on Rowe's Liican. TO Rowe, as a poet, whofe fenfe was folid, and whofe ear, as to found, was formed for richeft melody, all attention is given, all due praife is allowed; but here, he is to be eonfidered as a tranflator, NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS, xlix tranflator, not of" the exuberant Ctaudian, of the pointed Seneca, of the daring Statins, but of the full fcntentious Lucan, whofe fubjeft is fu- perior to all fable, whofe truth is beyond the or- nament of art, and whofe abilities, in defpite of Quinftilian, were as much fuperior to thofe of an orator, as thofe of Tully were inferior to a poet. If Rowe had written, from himfelf, a Pharfalia, it Is not to be denied that many, nay moil of his added lines or thoughts, might be worthy of Lu- can ; but, his prefent work is a tranflation of what has already been well performed, and certainly required no additions ; many of which, I affert, to be the effeft of the rhyme in which, unhappily, he wrote; when the manly fpiritofhis original required all that freedom and ftrength which, I maintain, blank or rather free vcrfeonly can fup- ply. When I have firft allowed this commenda^- tion to Rowe, as a poet, I hope it will not be thought cither arrogant or invidious to point out his faults, faults rather thofe of his time, than of his own genius or judgment; for till near his time, Milton, in his free verfe, was little ftudied^ Shake fpear, in his beft parts, certainly free from rhyme, was but little known; -while Dryden; whofe rhyme, as metre, is of the firft excellence, VOL, II. g and 1 NOTES AND OBSERVATIONS. and Pope, whofe facility and accuracy, in moral epigrams or in pointed fatyr, were the favorite writers molt read and beft underftood; to tbefe, the preceding Spenfer added great weight by his ftanza, too confined, and by multiplying the chain* of Italian poefy, in Ariofto and Taflb who were his models. Jonfon, indeed, knew and pra8:ifed the true meafures of free verfe, for I fliall banifli the ignominious term of Uank^ given by thofe who thought there was no poetry without rhyme; and, therefore, confidered, its omiflion as a defeft, a dif- appointment, or a blank, inftead of the prize, which fuch judges thought the return of the fame found at the clofe of each two lines alone could claim. It has been already faid, in the Elfay on the limits of tranflation,.that a Latin verfe, heroic or hexameter, is, to an Englifh heroic or penta- meter, as 8 to 5 ; therefore, 8 Englifh lines may be employed to render 5 Latin : but fee the Effay, where the principles cannot be denied by any fcholar competent to the fubjeft. Now the lines in Lucan, of his famous fpeech of Cato, are 23, which might admit nearly 37 in Englifh : Rowe has employed 56, with an excefs of 20; and this is done by making the tranflation, not a meta- phrafis or rendering Latin thoughts into Englifli words. KOTES AND- OBSERVATIONS. H words, but a paraphrafis or explanation of what was already clear, a dilatation of what already pof- fcffcd its due extent. It would be an eafy talk to point out all the places, in this extraft, where Rowe has ufed repetition and redundance; but, in an author whom I dtherwife efteem, it is to me a tafk as unpleafing to remark defeats as it is un- welcome, to mod reader*;, to feled the beauties^ I fhall, therefore, do neither, but leave both offi- ces to true critics, who are as willing to praife a^ the falfe-ones are to cenfure what they cannot correct or equal : — one particular I will notice, and that more to deprecate rhyme, which, to fuch an author as Lucan, is, in my judgment, highly improper. The fault on which I fix, is the ul'eof the triplet or triple rhyme; moft often ufed, in this, fpecies of writing, by thoft who would not take the trouble of condcnhng the fenfe into two lines, which might often be done to good effe^ ; andj who )iet had judgment fufficient left not to in- creafc, by a fourth line, what already was too much in the three. For the fame reafon, I am no friend to Alexandrines, which reduce the free- dom even of our Englifli rhymes to the wearifome hemiftics of the French verfe. Much more may be faidfor the falling fyllableof our genuine free Jr verfe; fit .NOTES AND OBSERVATIO'KS, verfe> which is borrower! filpm the Italian, a lan- guage far fiipeirior to-th^FFiliSch, in the rhythm of verfification.^ As I h^^ avoided pointing out either the particxiiarsy defetts,; or excellencies, of 'Row<^ tranflatidii, I -flialT, fot a very obvious realbn, not^nter thetranl3ati6ii lately made of the fpeeclf orCato, andfome oth^r paffages into the lifts of competition; but fliall only fay, that "where the limits of tranflation, as I have, at leaft, for myfelf laid them down, might Jbave allowed me very nearly 37 lines for the 23 of the original, I have employed only 30; and that, while I have certainly not exceeded. -the .limit's of found or times, 1 have not been deficient in" giving the fenfc and ge&iiihe thought, as may appear to thofe^ who arenpt competent judges of the Latin, by the exa8: and liferal tranflation of Lucan, when it is given in the moft unmeafured profe; in which, not an epithet is omitted, changed, or added; and the turn of the phrafe *j>referv:ed as much 3:5 the #^d different languages Will admit, iND OF THE SECOND VOL, i f I 0: rcrml I University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. 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