Having said thus much of the original, custom seems to demand some apology for the translation. And, first, it may to some appear a whimsical undertaking to give a metrical translation of a prosaic author; but the English reader, it is to be presumed, will not find any deficiency of poetical thoughts on that account, however the diction may have suffered by passing through unworthy hands; and to such as are acquainted with that elegant luxuriance which characterizes the Greek prose, this point will not need a solution. Nor can it be deemed derogatory from the merit of our own language to affirm, that the superiority of the Greek in this respect is so forcible, that even the most trifling of these Epistles must have suffered considerably both in spirit and simplicity, if committed to the languid formality of an English prosaic translation.

The ingenious Tom Brown has translated, or rather imitated, some select pieces from this collection, but he 'either totally misconceived the spirit of his author, or was very unequal to the execution of it. He presents you, it is true, with a portrait of the author, and a portrait that has some resemblance to him; but it is painted in a bad attitude, and placed in a disadvantageous light. In the original, the language is neat, though energetic; it is elegant as well as witty. Brown has failed in both; and though a strict adherence to these points in a metrical translation may be esteemed difficult, yet it is hoped that the English dress in which Aristænetus is at present offered to the public, will appear to become him more than any he has ever worn in this country.

It were absurd to pretend that this translation is perfectly literal; the very genius of prose and verse forbid it; and the learned reader who shall consult the original, will find many reasons for the impropriety as well as difficulty of following the author's expressions too closely. Some things there were which it were scarce possible to handle in verse, and they are entirely omitted, or paraphrastically imitated; many passages have been softened as indelicate, some suppressed as indecent. But beside these allowable deviations, a still further licence has been taken; for where the subject would admit of it, many new ideas are associated with the original substance, yet so far affecting the author's proper style, that its native simplicity might not be obscured by their introduction. And two or three Epistles there are in this collection which must shelter themselves under the name of Aristænetus, without any other title to his protection than that of adhering to the subject of the several Epistles which they have supplanted. The only

apology which can be offered for this, is an avowal that the object of this translation was not so much to bring to light the merit of an undistinguished and almost unknown ancient, as to endeavour to introduce into our language a species of poetry not frequently attempted, and but very seldom with success; that species which has been called the "simplex munditiis" in writing, where the thoughts are spirited and fanciful without quaintness, and the style simple, yet not inelegant. Though the merit of succeeding in this point should not be given to the present attempt, yet it may in some measure become serviceable to the cause, by inciting others of better taste and abilities to endeavour to redeem our language from the imputation of barbarity in this respect.

As to the many different measures which are here introduced, something besides the translator's caprice may be urged in their favour. For by a variation of metre, the style almost necessarily undergoes an alteration; and in general, the particular strain of each Epistle suggested the particular measure in which it is written. Had they been all in one kind of verse, they would have fatigued, they might have disgusted. At present, it is hoped that some analogy will be found between the mode of passion in each Epistle and the versification by which it is expressed; at the same time that a variety of metres, like a variety of prospects on a road, will conduct the reader with greater satisfaction through the whole stage, though it be short.

There remains but one thing more to be said. The original is divided into two parts; the present essay contains only the first. By its success must the fate of the second be determined.

II. S.*

*Halhed and Sheridan.

EPISTLE I. LAIS.

ARISTENETUS TO PHILOCALUS.

BLEST with a form of heavenly frame,†
Blest with a soul beyond that form,
With more than mortal ought to claim,
With all that can a mortal warm,
Laïs was from her birth design'd
To charm, yet triumph o'er mankind.
There Nature, lavish of her store,
Gave all she could, and wish'd for more;
Whilst Venus gazed, her form was such!
Wondering how Nature gave so much;
Yet added she new charms, for she

Could add-" A fourth bright grace,” she said,
"A fourth, beyond the other three,

Shall raise my power in this sweet maid."
Then Cupid, to enhance the prize,

Gave all his little arts could reach :
To dart Love's language from the eyes
He taught 'twas all was left to teach.

O fairest of the virgin band!
Thou master-piece of Nature's hand!
So like the Cyprian queen, I'd swear
Her image fraught with life were there :
But silent all and silent be,

That you may hear her praise from me:
I'll paint my Laïs' form; nor aid

Her cheek with native crimson glows,
But crimson soften'd by the rose:
'Twas Hebe's self bestow'd the hue,

Yet health has added something too :

There is a studied propriety in the very names of the supposed cor. respondents in these Epistles; having in the original this peculiar beauty, that generally one, and often both of them, bear an agreeable allusion to the subject of the several letters to which they are prefixed.

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In this letter Aristænetus describes the beauties of his mistress to his friend. This description differs in one circumstance from the usual poetic analysis of beauty, which is this, that (if we except the epithets ruby,' snowy," &c., which could not well have been avoided) the lady it paints would be really beautiful; whereas it is generally said, "that a negro would be handsome, compared to woman in poetical dress."

66

But if an over-tinge there be,

Impute it to her modesty.

Her lips of deeper red, how thin!
How nicely white the teeth within!
Her nose how taper to the tip!
And slender as her ruby lip!
Her brows in arches proudly rise,
As conscious of her powerful eyes:
Those eyes, majestic-black, display
The lustre of the god of day;
And by the contrast of the white,
The jetty pupil shines more bright.
There the glad Graces keep their court,
And in the liquid mirror sport.
Her tresses, when no fillets bind,
Wanton luxurious in the wind;

Like Dian's auburn locks they shone,
But Venus wreath'd them like her own.
Her neck, which well with snow might vie,
Is form'd with nicest symmetry;

In native elegance secure

The most obdurate heart to wound;
But she, to make her conquests sure,
With sparkling gems bedecks it round:
With gems that, ranged in order due,
Present the fair one's name to view.*
Her light-spun robes in every part
Are fashioned with the nicest art,
T'improve her stature, and to grace
The polish'd limbs which they embrace.
How beautiful she looks when drest!

But view her freed from this disguise,
Stript of th' unnecessary vest-
'Tis Beauty's self before your eyes.

How stately doth my Laïs go!
With studied step, composedly slow;
Superb, as some tall mountain fir,

Whom Zephyr's wing doth slightly stir:

(For surely beauty is allied

By Nature very near to Pride :)

With gems, &c.] This conceit was formerly reckoned a peculiar legance in a lady's dress.

The groves indeed mild breezes move,
But her the gentler gales of Love.
From her the pencil learns its dye—
The rosy lip, the sparkling eye;
And bids the pictured form assume
Bright Helen's mien, and Hebe's bloom.
But how shall I describe her breast?
That now first swells with panting throb
To burst the fond embracing vest,

And emulate her snow-white robe.
So exquisitely soft her limbs !

That not a bone but pliant seems;

As if th' embrace of Love-so warm!
Would quite dissolve her beauteous form.
But when she speaks !-good heavens ! e'en now
Methinks I hear my fav'rite song;

E'en yet with Love's respect I bow

To all th' enchantment of her tongue.
Her voice most clear, yet 'tis not strong;
Her periods full, though seldom long;
With wit, good-natured wit, endow'd ;
Fluent her speech, but never loud.
Witness, ye Loves! witness; for well I know
To her you've oft attention given;

Oft pensile flutter'd on your wings of snow
To waft each dying sound to heaven.
Ah! sure this fair enchantress found
The zone which all the Graces bound:
Not Momus could a blemish find
Or in her person or her mind.—
But why should Beauty's goddess spare
To me this all-accomplish'd fair?
I for her charms did ne'er decide,*
As Paris erst on lofty Ide;

I pleased her not in that dispute ;
I gave her not the golden fruit:
Then why the Paphian queen so free?
Why grant the precious boon to me?
Venus ! what sacrifice, what prayer
Can show my thanks for such a prize!
-To bless a mortal with a fair,

Whose charms are worthy of the skies.

"I for her charms did ne'er decide.] This alludes to the well-known con. test between Juno, Venus, and Minerva, for the golden apple.