different modulations of his numbers; to preserve, in the more active or defcriptive parts, a warmth and elevation; in the more fedate or narrative, a plainnefs and folemnity; in the fpeeches, a fulness and perfpicuity; in the sentences, a shortness and gravity: not to neglect even the little figures and turns on the words, nor fometimes the very caft of the periods; neither to omit nor confound any rites or customs of antiquity: perhaps too he ought to include the whole in a shorter compass, than has hitherto been done by any tranflator, who has tolerably preserved either the sense or poetry. What I would farther recommend to him, is to ftudy his author rather from his own text*, than from any commentaries, how learned foever, or whatever figure they may make in the estimation of the world; to confider him attentively in comparison with Virgil above all the ancients, It is much to be lamented, that our poet was not able to follow the direction fo properly recommended by himself. His ignorance of the Greek language will be indifputably proved in the course of this edition: an ignorance, which throws an imputation of folemn inanity and ludicrous oftentation on the precept before and with Milton above all the moderns*. Next these, the Archbishop of Cambray's Telemachus may give him the trueft idea of the fpirit and turn of our author, and Boffu's admirable treatise of the Epic poem the justest notion of his defign and conduct. But after all, with whatever judgment and study a man may proceed, or with whatever happiness he may perform fuch a work, he must hope to please but a few; those only who have at once a taste of poetry, and competent learning. For to fatisfy fuch as want either, is not in the nature of this undertaking; fince a mere modern wit can like nothing that is not * There seems no remarkable propriety in this direction with respect to Milton, except with a general reference to his ftricter obfervation of the leading rules for the conduct of an epic poem in conformity to the prescriptions of Ariftotle, deduced from Homer's exemplification of them in the Iliad. With regard to Virgil, comparison is more obvious, as well in the main plan of his Æneis, as in his perpetual imitations of detached portions and fimilies of his illuftrious predeceffor. + So Horace, Sat. i. 10. 73: neque, te ut miretur turba, labores, Contentus paucis lectoribus. Th' applaufes court not of the vulgar crew, Editor. Editor. modern, and a pedant nothing that is not Greek. What I have done is fubmitted to the publick, from whofe opinions I am prepared to learn; though I fear no judges fo little as our best poets, who are most sensible of the weight of this task. As for the worst, whatever they shall please to say, they may give me fome concern as they are unhappy men*, but none as they are malignant writers. I was guided in this translation by judgments very different from theirs, and by perfons for whom they can have no kindness, if an old observation be true, that the strongest antipathy in the world is that of fools to men of wit. Mr. Addifon was the firft whofe advice determined me to undertake this tafk, who was pleased to write to me upon that occasion in fuch terms, as I cannot repeat without vanity. I was obliged to Sir Richard Steele for a very early recommendation of my undertaking to the publick. Dr. Swift promoted my intereft with Unhappy, from the torments of envy and unfriendly paffions. Editor. VOL. I. E that warmth with which he always ferves his friend. The humanity and frankness of Sir Samuel Garth are what I never knew wanting on any occafion. I must also acknowledge, with infinite pleasure, the many friendly offices, as well as fincere criticisms of Mr. Congreve *, who had led me the way in tranflating fome parts of Homer †. I must add the names of Mr. Rowe and Dr. Parnell, though I fhall take a farther opportunity of He has brought this triumvirate together again in a couplet fuperlatively excellent, and of diction moft happily appropriate : Well-natur'd Garth inflam'd with early praise, And Congreve lov'd, and Swift endur'd my lays. Prologue to the Satires. How admirably does the word endured point out the fevere and faftidious cenfure, the fuperbiffimum judicium, of Swift! Editor. + The following fentence is added in the first edition, and in the laft with Dr. Johnson's lives :-" As I wish for the fake of the "world he had prevented me in the reft." The cooler judgement of our poet, I prefume, under a commendable perfuafion of his own vaft fuperiority as a tranflator, of which it was impoffible for him to be unconscious, led him to disapprove an ebullition of compliment, excited by the warmth of friendship and an unreflecting humility, in oppofition to the truth. He had too much good sense and magnanimity to incur one real immorality to avoid the appeare ance of another to be infincere, for the temporary and unmanly purpose of propitiating calumny by an affected candour. Editor. doing juftice to the last, whose good-nature (to give it a great panegyrick) is no less extenfive than his learning. The favour of these gentlemen is not entirely undeserved by one who bears them so true an affection *. But what can I fay of the honour fo many of the Great have done me, while the first names of the age appear as my subscribers, and the most distinguished patrons and ornaments of learning as my chief encouragers. Among these it is a particular pleasure to me to find, that my highest obligations are to fuch who have done most honour to the name of Poet: that his Grace the Duke of Buckingham was not displeased I fhould undertake the author to whom he has given (in his excellent Essay) fo complete a praise †. * The truth of this profeffion of affectionate regard is manifested by his friendly duties to Rowe and Parnell, when retribution was impoffible, and his praise beyond suspicion : Can Flattery foothe the dull cold ear of death? He condefcended to be editor of Parnell's works, and wrote an epitaph for Rowe, that breathes a fpirit of the tendereft affection. Editor. + In the first edition :-" the finest praise he ever yet received.” But thefe facrificial offerings of panegyric, fo difficult to adjust |