CANTO THE SECOND. 85 LIST OF ROMAIC AUTHORS.* Neophitus, Diakonos (the deacon) of the Morea, has published an extensive grammar, and also some political regulations, which last were left unfinished at his death, Prokopius, of Moscopolis, (a town in Epirus,) has written and published a catalogue of the learned Greeks. Seraphin, of Periclea, is the author of many works in the Turkish language, but Greek character; for the Christians of Caramania, who do not speak Romaic, but read the character. Eustathius Psalidas, of Bucharest, a physician, made the tour of England for the purpose of study (xápiv padñoɛws): but though his name is enumerated, it is not stated that he has written any thing. Kallinikus Torgeraus, Patriarch of Constantinople: many poems of his are extant, and also prose tracts, and a catalogue of patriarchs since the last taking of Constantinople. Anastasius Macedon, of Naxos, member of the royal academy of Warsaw. A church biographer. Demetrius Pamperes, a Moscopolite, has written many works, particularly "A Commentary on Hesiod's Shield of Hercules," and two hundred tales, (of what is not specified,) and has published his correspondence with the celebrated George of Trebizond, his cotemporary. Meletius a celebrated geographer; and author of the book from whence these notices are taken. Dorotheus, of Mitylene, an Aristotelian philosopher: his Hellenic works are in great repute, and he is esteemed by the moderns (I quote the words of Meletius) μετὰ τὸν Θουκυδίδην καί Ξενοφώντα ἄριστος Ελλήνων. I add further, on the authority of a well-informed Greek, that he was so famous among his countrymen, that they were accustomed to say, if Thucydides and Xenophon were wanting, he was capa ble of repairing the loss. Marinus Count Tharboures, of Cephalonia, professor of chemistry in the academy of Padua, and member of that academy, and those of Stockholm and Upsal. He has published, at Venice, an account of some marine animal, and a treatise on the properties of iron. Marcus brother to the former, famous in mechanics. He removed to St. Petersburgh the immense rock on which the statue of Peter the Great was fixed in 1769. See the dissertation which he published in Paris, 1777. George Constantine has published a four-tongued lexicon. George Ventote; a lexicon in French, Italian, and Romaic. There exist several other dictionaries in Latin and Romaic, French, &c. besides grammars in every modern language, except English. Among the living authors the following are most celebrated:-† Athanasius Parios has written a treatise on rhetoric in Hellenic. Christodoulos, an Acarnanian, has published, in Vienna, some physical treatises in Hellenic. Panagiotes Kodrikas, an Athenian, the Romaic translator of Fontenelle's " Plurality of Worlds," (a favourite work amongst the Greeks.) is stated to be a teacher of the Hellenic and Arabic languages in Paris; in both of which he is an adept. Athanasius, the Parian, author of a treatise on rhetoric. Vicenzo Damodos, of Cephalonia, has written "els rd μecobápbapov, on logic and physics. John Kamarases, a Byzantine, has translated into French Ocellus on the Universe. He is said to be an excellent Hellenist, and Latin scholar. Gregorio Demetrius published, in Vienna, a geographical work; he has also rranslated several Italian authors, and printed his versions at Venice. Of Coray and Psalida some account has been already given. *It is to be observed, that the names given are not in chronological order, but consist of some selected at a venture from among those who flourished from the taking of Constantinople to the time of Meletius. These names are not taken from any publication. 8 GREEK WAR SONG.* ΔΕΥΤΕ, παῖδες τῶν Ἑλλήνων 2. Οθεν εἶσθε τῶν Ἑλλήνων στην φωνὴν τῆς σαλπιλκός μου ; τὴν ἐπτάλοφον ζητεῖτε, καὶ νικᾶτε πρὸ παντοῦ. Τὰ ὅπλα ἂς λάβωμεν, &c. Σπάρτα, Σπάρτα, τί κοιμᾶσθε Τὰ ὅπλα ἂς λάβωμεν, &c. 4. Ο που εἰς τάς Θερμοπύλας εἰς τὸ κέντρον προχωρει, Τὰ ὅπλα ἂς λάβωμεν, &c. ROMAIC EXTRACTS. Ρωσστ;, Αγκλος, καὶ Γάλλος κάμνοντες τὴν περιήγησιν τῆς Ἑλλάδος, καὶ βλέποντες της ἀθλίαν τὴν κατάστασιν, εἰρώτησαν καταρχὰς ἕνα Γραικὸν φιλέλληνα διὰ νὰ μα θουν τὴν αἰτίαν, μετ' αὐτὸν ἕνα μητροπολίτην, εἶτα ἕνα βλάχμπειν, ἔπειτα να πραγματευτὴν, καὶ ἕνα προεστῶτα. Εἰπέ μας ὦ φιλέλληνα, τῶς φέρεις τὴν σκλαβίαν * A translation of this song will be found among the smaller Poems. Δὲν εἶσθαι ἐσεῖς απογονοι ἐκείνων τῶν Ἑλλήνων “Ο ΦΙΛΕΛΛΗΝΟΣ. Ρωσσ-αγκλο-γαλλοι, Ελλὰς, καὶ ὄχι ἄλλοι, ἀφ' φοὺ ἀρχίσεν ἡ ἀμαθία. The above is the commencement of a long dramatic satire on the Greek priesthood, princes, and gentry; it is contemptible as a composition, but perhaps curious as a specimen of their rhyme: I have the whole in MS. but this extract will be found sufficient. The Romaic in this composition is so easy as to render a version an insult to a scholar; but those who do not understand the original will excuse the following bad translation of what is in itself indifferent. TRANSLATION. A Russian, Englishman, and Frenchman making the tour of Greece, and observing the miserable state of the country, interrogate, in turn, a Greek Patriot, to learn the cause; afterwards an Archbishop, then a Vlackbey,* a Merchant, and Cogia Bachi or Primate. Thou friend of thy country! to strangers record Then tell us, beloved Achmean! reveal The cause of the woes which you cannot conceal. The reply of the Philellenist I have not translated, as it is no better than the question of the travelling triumvirate; and the above will sufficiently show with what kind of composition the Greeks are now satisfied. I trust I have not much iujured the original in the few lines given as faithfully, and as near the “ Oh, Miss Bailey! unfortunate Miss Bailey !' * Vlackbey, Prince of Wallachia. measure of the Romaic, as I could make them. Almost all their pieces, ab song, which aspire to the name of poetry, contain exactly the quantity of feet o "A captain bold of Halifax, who lived in country quarters," which is in fact the present heroic couplet of the Romaic. TRANSLATED FROM THE ITALIAN OF GOLDONI, BY SPERIDION VLANTI ΠΛΑΤΖΙΔΑ εἰς τὴν πόρταν τοῦ χανιοῦ, καὶ οἱ ἄνωθεν. ΠΛΑ. Ω Θεέ! ἀπὸ τὸ παραθύρι μοῦ ἐφάνη νὰ ἀκούσω τὴν φωνὴν του ἀνδρός μα αυτὸς εἶναι ἐδῶ, ἔφθασα σὲ καιρὸν νὰ τὸν ξεντροπιάσω. [Εὐγαίνει ἕνας δοῦλος ἀ ἐργαστήρι.] Παλικάριπές μου σε παρακαλῶ ποιὸς εἶναι ἐκεῖ εἰς ἐκείνους τοὺς ὀντάδε ΔΟΥΛ. Τρεῖς χρήσιμοι ἄνδρες. Ἕνας ὁ κῦρ Εὐγένιος, ὁ ἄλλος ὁ κῦρ Μάρτιος δ πολιτάνος, καὶ ὁ τρίτος ὁ Κύρ Κόντε Λέανδρος 'Αρδέντης. ΠΛΑ. ('Ανάμεσα εἰς αὐτοὺς δὲν εἶναι ὁ Φλαμίνιος, ἂν ὅμως δὲν ἄλλαξεν όνομα.) ΛΕΑ. Νὰ ζῇ ἡ καλὴ τύχητοῦ κῦρ Εὐγενίου. [Πίνωντας.] ΠΛΑ. (Αὐτὸς εἶναι ὁ ἄνδρας μου χωρὶς ἄλλο ) Καλὲ ἄνθρωπε κάμε μου τὴν νὰ μὲ συντροφεύσης ἀπάνῶ εἰς αὐτοὺς τοὺς ἀφεντάδες, ὁποῦ θέλω [Πρὸς τὸν δούλον.] ΔΟΥ. Ορισμός σας· (ουνηθισμένον ὀφφίκιον τῶν δουλευτῶν.) ἐργαστήρι τοῦ παιγνιδιού.] νὰ τοὺς παίξω [Τὴν ἐμπάζει α [Πρὸς τὴν Ε ΡΙΔ. Καρδιά, καρδιὰ, κάμετε καλὴν καρδιὰν, δὲν εἶναι τίποτες. ριαν.] ΒΙΤ. Ἐγὼ αἰσθάνομαι πῶς ἀπεθαίνω· [Συνέρχεται εἰς τὸν ἑαυτόν τῆς.] [ ̓Απὸ τὰ παράθυρα τῶν ὀντάδων φαίνονται ὅλοι, ὁποῦ σηκόνωνται ἀ τραπέζι συγχισμένοι, διὰ τὸν ξαφνισμὸν τοῦ Λεάνδρου βλέπωντα Πλάτζιδα, καὶ διατὶ αὐτὸς δείχνει πῶς θέλει νὰ τὴν φονεύσῃ.] ΠΛΑ. Βοήθεια, βοήθεια. [Φεύγει ἀπὸ τήν σκάλαν, ὁ Λέανδρος, θέλει νὰ τὴν λουθήσῃ μὲ τὸ σπαθὶ καὶ ὁ Εὐγτὸν βαστᾶ.] ΤΡΑ. [Μὲ ἕνα πιάτο μὲ φαγὶ εἰς μίαν πετζέτα πηδᾷ ἀπὸ τὸ παραθύρι, καὶ φεύγε τὸν καφενέ.] ΠΛΑ. [Εὐγαίνει ἀπὸ τὸ ἐργαστήρι τοῦ παιγνιδιοῦ τρέχωντας, καὶ φεύγει ε χάνι | ΕΥΓ [Μέ ἅρματα εἰς τὸ χέρι πρὸς διαφέντευσιν τῆς Πλάτζιδας, ἐναντίον τοῦ Α δρου, ὁπῶ τὴν κατατρέχει.] ΜΑΡ. Εὐγαίνει καὶ αὐτὸς σιγὰ σιγὰ ἀπὸ τὸ ἐργαστήρι, καὶ φεύγει λέγωντας.] R re a fire. [ Ρουμέρες φούγε.]* Οἱ Δούλοι. [ ̓Απὸ τὸ ἐργαστήρι ἀπερνοῦν εἰς τὸ χάνι, καὶ κλειοῦν τὴν πόρταν.] ΒΙΤ. [Μένει εἰς τὸν καφενέ βοηθημένη ἀπὸ τὸν Ριδόλφον.] ΛΕΛ. Δόσετε τόπον· θέλωρινὰ ἔμβω νὰ ἔμβω εἰς ἐκεῖνο τὸ χάνι. [Μὲ τὸ σπαθὶ ΕΥΓ. Οχι, μὴ γένοιτο ποτέ εἶσαι ἕνας σληρόκαρδος ἐναντίον τῆς γυναικός σου ἐγὼ θέλει τήν διαφεντεύσω ὡς εἰς τὸ ὕστερον αἷμα. ΛΕΑ. Σοῦ κάμνω ὅρκον πῶς θέλει τὸ μετανοιώσῃς. [Κινηγᾷ τὸν Εὐγένιον | σταθί ] ΕΥΓ. Δὲν σὲ φοβοῦμαι. [Κατατρέχει τον Λέανδρον, καὶ τὸν βιάζει νὰ συρθῇ δ τόσον, ὁποῦ εὑρίσκωντας ἀνοικτὸν τὸ σπῆτι τῆς χορεύτριας ἐμβαίνει εἰς αὐτὸ, καὶ εται.] CANTO THE SECOND. TRANSLATION. Platzida from the Door of the Hotel, and the Others. Pla. Oh God! from the window it seemed that I heard my husband's voice. If he is here, I have arrived in time to make him ashamed. [Å Servant enters from the Shop.] Boy, tell me, pray, who are in those chambers. Serv. Three gentlemen: one, Signor Eugenio; the other, Signor Martio, the Neapolitan; and the third, my Lord, the Count Leander Ardenti. Pla. Flaminio is not among these, unless he has changed his name. Leander. [Within drinking.] Long live the good fortune of Signor Eugenio. [The whole Company, Long live, &c.] (Literally, Nà 27, và n, May he live.) Pia. Without doubt that is my husband. [To the Serv.] My good man, do me the favour to accompany me above to those gentlemen; I have some business. Serv. At your commands. [Aside.] The old office of us waiters. [He goes out of the Gaming-House.] Ridolpho. [To Victoria on another part of the stage.] good cheer, it is nothing. Courage, courage, be of Victoria. I feel as if about to die. [Leaning on him as if fainting.] [From the windows above all within are seen rising from table in confusion: Leander starts at the sight of Platzida, and appears by his gestures to threaten her life. Eugenio. No, stop Martio. Don't attempt Leander. Away, fly from hence! Pla. Help! Help! [Flies down the stairs, Leander attempting to follow with his sword, Eugenio hinders him.] [Trappola with a plate of meat leaps over the balcony from the window, and runs into the Coffee-House.] [Platzida runs out of the Gaming-House. and takes shelter in the Hotel.] [Martio steals softly out of the Gaming-House, and goes off, exclaiming" Rumores fuge." The Servants from the Gaming-House enter the Hotel, and shut the door.] [Victoria remains in the Coffee-House assisted by Ridolpho.] [Leander sword in hand opposite Eugenio exclaims, Give way-I will enter that hotel.] Eugenio. No, that shall never be. You are a scoundrel to your wife, and I will defend her to the last drop of my blood. Leander. I will give you cause to repent this. [Menacing with his sword.] Eugenio. I fear you not. [He attacks Leander, and makes him give back so much, that finding the door of the dancing girl's house open, Leander escapes through, and so finishes.]* * Ewveral "finishes "-awkwardly enough, but it is the literal translation of the Romaic. The original of this comedy of Goldoni's I never read, but it does not appear one of his best. "Il Bugiardo" is one of the most lively; but I do not think it has been translated into Romaic: it is much more amusing than our own "Liar," by Foote. The character of Lelio is better drawn than Young Wilding. Goldoni's comedies amount to fifty; some perhaps the best in Europe, and others the worst. His life is also one of the best specimens of autobiography, and, as Gibbon has observed, "more dramatic than any of his plays." The above scene was selected as containing some of the most familiar Romaic idioms, not for any wit which it displays, Bince there is more done than said, the greater part consisting of stage directions. The original is one of the few comedies by Goldoni which is without the buffoonery of the speaking Harlequin. 8* |