propriety transcribe in this place the entire subject of Mr. Hayley's preference, I should confidently leave to my readers the easy task of deciding on that Gentleman's candour and taste: but I must content myself with making a short extract from the version in question; and for the sole purpose of subjoining a re mark on it. "The fiery spirit pure, That wheels yon circling orbs, directs himself (COWPER'S Trans. &c. p. 60.) In my translation of this verse in the original, "Torrida dum rutilus compescit sibila SERPENS," I assumed the liberty of substituting one constellation for another, Ophiuchus (the serpent-holder, or Hercules strangling the snakes,) for the serpent. This license, though venial, I regarded as bold; and I was consequently rather surprised when I discovered in the version, published by Mr. Hayley, the very same substitution, accompanied with the whimsical impropriety of having the hisses of Milton's serpent attributed to the man, who had been obtruded into the serpent's place. In a note, I shall extract from Mr. Hayley's publication a few other passages in which the likeness to some of my lines must be allowed to be striking. If these translations in their published state are truly and verbally as they came from Mr. Cowper's pen, the resemblance in every case must be acknowledged to be fortuitous: for their respectable author died before I thought of translating any of Milton's Latin poems; and my work issued from the press more than two years before these versions of Mr. Cowper's (with the exception of those small portions of them which were inserted in Mr. Hayley's biography) made their appearance in the world. To those critics, who may either adopt Bishop Hurd's canons on the marks of imitation or form others for the regulation of their own judgments, the matter of my note may suggest a subject of curious speculation. On some coif'd brooder o'er a ten years cause, Cowper, p. 10. Pompous and pregnant with a ten years cause, S. p. 66. There virgins oft, unconscious what they prove, My friend, the reverend Francis Wrang There a new feeling oft the maiden proves; Knows not 'tis love, but while she knows not, loves. S. p. 66. And I will e'en repass Cam's reedy pools, And face once more the warfare of the schools. Cowper, p. 13. And, (fix'd my visit to Cam's rushy pools,) S. p. 69. Another Leonora once inspired Tasso, with fatal love to phrenzy fired. Cowper, p. 42. Another Leonora's charms inspired The love that Tasso's phrenzied senses fired. Would sing, indulgent to his friend's desire, S. p. 155. Ah! blest indifference of the playful herd, Cowper, p. 80. How blest, where, none repulsed and none preferr'd, S. p. 190. ham, having favoured me with a complete translation of the ode to Rouse, but at a period too late to stand in its proper station in my work, I am induced to insert the entire composition in this place, that the reader may see its beauties in the integrity of the whole piece. Of the few verbal alterations, which occur in the present copy, some were made for the purpose of uniformity: for, not emulous of the licentious vagrancy of the original, the translator has constructed his ode on the more correct scheme of the Roman and the English Muse. TO JOHN ROUSE, The Librarian of the University of Oxford. STROPHE I. With one informing mind Though looking with a twofold face, Reclined, or in some native glade, Yet guiltless of his country's ire He struck or Rome's or Albion's lyre; Or roused the thunder of the Tuscan chord, And spurning earth's low tracts through fields empyreal soar'd. d See p. 276 ANTISTROPHE I. What robber's guileful hand- To Thamis' source thy steps were bent, Filch'd thee, dwarf Volume, from thy brother-band? To Thamis' source,-their limpid store Where the Pierian sisters pour; And, while the tide of choral song Flows her sweet shades and flowers among, Blazon'd for many an age long past by fame, For many an age to come shall glitter Oxford's name. STROPHE II. Would but some heavenly Power, In pity on our sorrows smile, (If sorrows yet have purged our isle, And woe's atoning pang hath had its hour,) And back to their loved haunts restore Wing his keen shaft against the noisome race, * Quis te, parve liber, quis te fratribus Subduxit reliquis dolo? Cùm tu missus ab urbe, Docto jugiter obsecrante amico, Illustre tendebas iter Thamesis ad incunabula Cærulei patris; Fontes ubi limpidi Aonidum, thyasusque sacer, Orbi notus per immensos Temporum lapsûs redeunte cœlo, Celeberque futurus in ævum ? |