There is yet another diffimilarity. The English language is as much more figurative than the French as is, perhaps, the Hebrew than the English. These causes, combined, made it abfolutely requifite the tranflation should often affume a majefty and a tone very distinct from the original; which, else, would have been pitiably degraded. Tranflation, though a task moft irksome, to a mind defirous of fame, should, when undertaken, be executed, though not with temerity, with a felf-confiding fortitude. In the third fcene of the Widow of Sarepta, the Widow is brought to determine on giving her last morfel to Elijah, on which the existence of her fon depends, by recollecting that the can go to the city, fell the thread fhe has fpun, and buy more food. But this city has juft before been defcribed fo deftitute of food that the rich man and the poor alike are perishing. This was an overfight which I have corrected, by adverting to the scripture narrative. Other fimi lar freedoms I have ufed, but with an abftemious and respectful hand; and only when difference of manners, or difference in judgment, made them fuppofed indifpenfable. Certain of having intended to do juftice to the author, and give fatisfaction and pleasure to the public, I commit my part, in this work, to the world, without anxiety. Fame it cannot acquire me; and my reputation I do not think it will injure. The intrinfic merit of the pieces the reader will judge of: only fuffer me to fay, The Death of Adam, if my opinion be not erroneous, contains a fublimity, a pathos, and a terror, feldom equalled and feldom hoped. London, March, 1786. |