I TO THE READER. HOPE the reader will forgive the liberty I have -taken in translating thefe Verfes fomewhat at large, without which it would have been almoft impoffible to have given any kind of turn in English poetry to so dry a subje&. The fense of the Author is, I hope, no where mistaken; and if there feems in fome places to be fome additions in the English verfes to the Greek text, they are only fuch as may be juftified from Hierocles's Commentary, and delivered by him as the larger and explained fenfe of the Author's fhort precept. I have in fome few places ventured to differ from the learned Mr. Dacier's French interpretation, as those that shall give themselves the trouble of a ftrict comparison will find. How far I am in the right, is left to the reader to determine. IRST to the gods thy humble homage pay; FIRS The greatest this, and first of laws, obey: The heroes next demand thy just regard, And yield to all his offices of love: Him from thy heart, fo true, so justly dear, } 10 } 15 20 Bear all thou canft, ftill with his failings ftrive, And to the utmost still, and still forgive; For ftrong neceffity alone explores The fecret vigour of our latent powers, 25 Force, to itself unknown before, t'exert. Thy gluttony, thy floth, thy luft, thy rage: |