refemble the Original. In two Cafes only there may a feeming Difficulty arife, that is, if the Thought be notoriously trivial or difkoneft: But the fame Answer will ferve for both, that then they ought not to be Tranflated. Et qua Defperes tractata nitefcere poffe, relinquas. Thus I have ventured to give my Opinion on this Subject against the Authority of two great Men, but I hope without Offence to either of their Memories, for I both loved them living, and reverence them now they are dead. But if, after what I have urged, it be thought by better Judges, that the Praise of a Tranflation confifts in adding new Beauties to the Piece, thereby to recompenfe the Lofs which it fuftains by Change of Language, I fhall be willing to be taught better, and to recant. In the mean time it seems to me, that the true Reason why we have fo few Verfions which are tolerable, is not from the too clofe purfuing of the Author's Senfe; but because there are fo few who have all the Talents which are requifite for Tranflation; and that there is fo little Praife, and so small Encouragement for fo confiderable a Part of Learning. To apply, in fhort, what has been said to this present Work; the Reader will here find most of the Tranflations, with fome little Latitude or Variation from the Author's Sense: That of OEnone to Paris, is in Mr. Cowley's way of Imitation only. I was defired to say that the Author, who is of the Fair Sex, understood not Latin. But if he does not, I am afraid he has given us occafion to be afhamed, who do. For For my own Part, I am ready to acknowledge, that I have tranfgreffed the Rules which I have given; and taken more Liberty than a juft Translation will allow. But fo many Gentlemen, whose Wit and Learning are well known, being joined in it, I doubt not but their Excellencies will make you ample Satisfaction for my Errors. THE THE 3 Canace to Macareus. Mr. Dryden, 4 Phillis to Demophoon. Edward Poley, Efqs 18 Hypfipyle to Jafon. Mr. Settle. 19 Medea to Jajon. Mr. Tate. 20 Phedra to Hippolytus. Mr. Otway. Page 125 132 140 147 155 163 171 182 187 * SAPHO TO PHA ON. By the Honourable Sir CARR SCROPE, Bart The ARGUMENT. The Poetefs Sapho, forfaken by her Lover Phaon, (wobe was gone from Lefbos to Sicily) and refolved, in DeSpair, to drown herself, writes this Letter to him before fhe dies. W XHILE Phaon to the flaming Etna flies, Confum'd with no lefs Fires, poor Sapho dies. XXXXXI burn, I burn, like kindled Fields of Corn, When by the driving Winds the Flames are born. B. |