To conclude,if I have not contemplated my system, till I am become blind to its imperfections, this view of the Epistle not only preferves to it all that unity of fubject, and elegance of method, fo much infifted on by the excellent Critick, to whom I have fo often referred; but by adding to his judicious general abftract the familiarities of perfonal address, fo ftrongly marked by the writer, scarce a line appears idle or misplaced: while the order and difpofition of the Epiftle to the Pifos appears as evident and unembarraffed, as that of the Epistle to Au. guftus; in which laft, the actual state of the Roman Drama feems to have been more manifeftly the object of Horace's attention, than in the Work now under confideration. Before I leave you to the further examination of the original of Horace, and submit to you the Translation, with the Notes that accompany it, I cannot help obferving, that the system, which I have here laid down, is not fo entirely new, as it may perhaps at firft appear to the reader, or as I myself originally fuppofed it. No Critick indeed has, to my knowledge, directly confidered the whole Epifle in the fame light that I have now taken it; but yet particular paffages feem fo ftrongly to enforce fuch an interpre C 2 interpretation, that the Editors, Tranflators, and Commentators, have been occafionally driven to explanations of a fimilar tendency; of which the Notes annexed will exhibit feveral ftriking instances. Of the following verfion I fhall only say, that I have not, knowingly, adopted a fingle expreffion, tending to warp the judgement of the learned or unlearned reader, in favour of my own hypothefis. I attempted this tranflation, chiefly because I could find no other equally clofe and literal. Even the Verfion of Rofcommon, though in blank verse, is in fome parts a paraphrafe, and in others, but an abftract. I have myself, indeed, endeavoured to support my right to that force and freedom of translation which Horace himself recommends; yet I have faithfully exhibited in our language several paffages, which his profeffed tranflators have abandoned, as impoffible to be given in English. All I think neceffary to be further faid on the Epiftle, will appear in the Notes. I am, my dear friends, With the truest respect and regard, Your moft fincere admirer, And very affectionate, humble fervant, GEORGE COLMAN. LONDON, March 8, 1783. Q. HORATII FLACCI EPISTOL A A D PISON E S. H Umano capiti cervicem pictor equinam Jungere fi velit, et varias inducere plumas Undique collatis membris, ut turpiter atrum Definat in pifcem mulier formosa supernè; Spectatum admiffi rifum teneatis, amici? Credite, Pifones, ifti tabulæ fore librum Perfimilem, cujus, velut ægri fomnia, vana 5 Fingentur HOR ACE's EPISTLE TO THE PIS O S. WHAT if a Painter, in his art to shine, A human head and horfe's neck fhould join ; : From various creatures put the limbs together, Cover'd with plumes, from ev'ry bird a feather And in a filthy tail the figure drop, |