Specimens of the Classic Poets: In a Chronological Series from Homer to Tryphiodorus ; Translated Into English Verse ; and Illustrated with Biographical and Critical Notes, Volume 1

Front Cover

From inside the book

Other editions - View all

Common terms and phrases

Popular passages

Page 372 - For there is hope of a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that the tender branch thereof will not cease. Though the root thereof wax old in the earth, and the stock thereof die in the ground; yet through the scent of water it will bud, and bring forth boughs like a plant.
Page xxii - As when the moon, refulgent lamp of night ! O'er heaven's clear azure spreads her sacred light, When not a breath disturbs the deep serene, And not a cloud o'ercasts the solemn scene ; Around her throne the vivid planets roll, And stars unnumber'd gild the glowing pole, O'er the dark trees a yellower verdure shed, And tip with silver every mountain's head ; Then shine the vales, the rocks in prospect rise, A flood of glory bursts from all the skies : The conscious swains, rejoicing in the sight,...
Page 373 - But man dieth, and wasteth away : Yea, man giveth up the -ghost, and where is he ? As the waters fail from the sea, And the flood decayeth and drieth up : So man lieth down, and riseth not : Till the heavens be no more, they shall not awake, Nor be raised out of their sleep.
Page 274 - ... that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him, though he be not far from every one of us : For in him we live, and move and have our being ; as certain also of your own poets [have said, for we are also his offspring.
Page xvi - And a too close and servile imitation, which the same poet calls ' treading on the heels of an author,, is deservedly laughed at by sir John Denham; ' I conceive it,, says he, * a vulgar error in translating poets, to affect being fidus interpres. Let that care be with them who deal in matters of fact, or matters of faith ; but whosoever aims at it in poetry, as he attempts what is not required, so...
Page 172 - Lo, how the obsequious wind and swelling air The Theban swan does upwards bear Into the walks of clouds, where he does play, And with extended wings opens his liquid way, Whilst, alas, my timorous Muse «> Unambitious tracks pursues; Does, with weak, unballast wings, About the mossy brooks and springs, 'About the trees' new-blossomed heads, About the gardens...
Page xviii - That the style and manner of writing should be of the same character with that of the original. III. That the Translation should have all the ease of original composition.
Page 74 - The beasts their cow'ring tails with trembling fold, And shrink and shudder at the gusty cold; Thick is the hairy coat, the shaggy skin, But that all-chilling breath shall pierce within. Not his rough hide can then the ox avail; The long-hair'd goat defenceless feels the gale: Yet Vain the north wind's rushing strength to wound The flock, with sheltering fleeces fenced around.
Page 347 - E'en mortal creatures may address thy name ; For all that breathe, and creep the lowly earth, Echo thy being with reflected birth. Thee will I sing, thy strength for aye resound. The universe, that rolls this globe around, Moves wheresoe'er thy plastic influence guides, And ductile owns the God whose arm presides. The lightnings are thy ministers of ire, The double-forked and ever-living fire : In thy unconquerable hands they glow ; And at the flash all Nature quakes below.
Page xxi - As when around the clear bright moon, the stars Shine in full splendour, and the winds are hush'd, The groves, the mountain-tops, the headland heights Stand all apparent, not a vapour streaks The boundless blue, and ether open'd wide ; All glitters, and the shepherd's heart is cheer'd.

Bibliographic information