VARIOUS NOTES, BY THE EDITOR AND OTHERS. ORIENTAL ECLOGUES. To the first and second editions of the Eclogues was prefixed the following PREFACE. It is with the writings of mankind, in some measure, as with their complexions or their dress; each nation hath a peculiarity in all these, to distinguish it from the rest of the world. The gravity of the Spaniard, and the levity of the Frenchman, are as evident in all their productions, as in their persons themselves; and the style of my countrymen is as naturally strong and nervous, as that of an Arabian or Persian is rich and figurative. There is an elegancy and wildness of thought which recommends all their compositions; and our geniuses are as much too cold for the entertainment of such sentiments, as our climate is for their fruits and spices. If any of these beauties are to be found in the following Eclogues, I hope my reader will consider them as an argument of their being original. I received them at the hands of a merchant, who had made it his business to enrich himself with the learning, as well as the silks and carpets, of the Persians. The little information I could gather concerning their author was, that his name was Abdallah, and that he was a native of Tauris. It was in that city that he died of a distemper fatal in those parts, whilst he was engaged in celebrating the victories of his favourite monarch, the great Abbas. As to the Eclogues themselves, they give a very just view of the miseries and inconveniencies, as well as the felicities, that attend one of the finest countries in the east. The time of writing them was probably in the beginning of Sha Sultan Hosseyn's reign, the successor of Sefi or Solyman the second. Whatever defects, as, I doubt not, there will be many, fall under the reader's observation, I hope his candour will incline him to make the following reflexion: That the works of orientals contain many peculiarities, and that, through defect of language, few European translators can do them justice. a In the Persian tongue, Abbas signifieth "the father of the people." ECLOGUE I. Ver. 57. With thee Be Chastity, of all afraid. Perhaps the reader will not be displeased to find here the following lines by that unjustly neglected poet, Quarles; O Chastity, the flower of the soul, How is thy perfect fairness turn'd to foul! Thy sweetness that was once, how far from sweet! ECLOGUE II. 2 Med. p. 105. Ver. 5. A fan of painted feathers in his hand. Mr. Mitford cites here Marlowe's Hero and Leander; Her painted fan of curled plumes let fall. Second Sestyad, v. 11. Ver. 25. In vain ye hope the green delights to know. Thomson has ; And all the green delights Ausonia pours". Summer, ver. 945. b So stands the line in the established text of the Seasons, but how much more simply was it given in the first edition of Summer! And all the green delights of Italy. But I find the expression green delights in Eu ripides ; ἐμπαίζουσα λείμακος ἡδοναῖς. ὡς νεβρὸς χλοεραῖς Bacchæ, 864. ed Elmsley. Ver. 28. And faint and sickly winds for ever howl around. Mr. T. Campbell observes, that in this line Collins does not merely seem to describe the sultry desert, but brings it home to the senses.-Spec. vol. v. p. 310. Ver. 66. From lust of wealth, and dread of death secure. So Pope; The lust of lucre, and the dread of death. Epistle to the earl of Oxford. ECLOGUE III. Mr. Mitford, in a note on Gray's Poems, (p. 36. 8vo. ed.) observes, "in the Free-thinker, No. 128, is a paper which Collins has versified in his third Eclogue, changing the name of Alibez into Abra, and Cha-Abbas into Abbas." How ill founded this charge of plagiarism is, the reader will, I think, be convinced by the following abridgement of the paper, or rather papers, in question; (see the Free-thinker, Nos. 128 and 129, vol. iii. ed. 1733.) Cha-Abbas, wearied with the grandeur of a court, and desirous to see the simple life of shepherds, wandered into the country with a single attendant. He came to a beautiful meadow, where he found a youth, named Alibez, piping to his flocks. The king was so pleased with his appearance and discourse, that he determined to rescue him from obscurity. He accordingly discovered himself to Alibez, who was taken to court, educated, and made keeper of the royal jewels. As his years increased, the shepherd became tired of honours and riches, and thought of his former condition with regret. Cha-Abbas died, and was succeeded by his son Cha-Sephi. The courtiers, envying Alibez, prejudiced the new monarch against him, and artfully endeavoured to ruin him; but his innocence was still triumphant. The king now" began to entertain a favourable opinion of Alibez; when casting his eye through a long gallery, full of rich furniture, he discovered, at the end of it, an iron door, strongly barred with three great locks. Thereupon the invidious courtiers, observing the curiosity of the king, whispered to him, it is there Alibez has treasured up all the riches of which he has defrauded you." The king, in great anger, commanded Alibez to open the door, and was deaf to his entreaties not to deprive him of the only treasure he had on earth. The strong place was burst open, and the sole wealth found in it " was a sheep-hook, a pipe, and a shepherd's habit, which Alibez had worn; all which he often took a pleasure in visiting privately, to remind him of his former condition." Alibez was now made prime vizier, and "when he died he left to his family no greater wealth than was sufficient to enable them to live at ease in the condition of shepherds; which, to the 'last, he esteemed the most desirable state of life." Ver. 31. Oft as she went, she backward turn'd her view, |