The pieces which your lordship mentions would would have been to expose myself to the same certainly be spoiled by the loss of it, and so would miscarriage, at the same time that I had not his all such. The Alma would lose all its neatness talents to atone for it. and smartness, and Hudibras all its humour. But I agree with your Lordship that a translation in grave poems of extreme length I apprehend that perfectly close is impossible, because time has sunk the case is different. Long before I thought of the original strict import of a thousand phrases, commencing poet myself, I have complained and and we have no means of recovering it. But if we heard others complain of the wearisomeness of such can not be unimpeachably faithful, that is no reapoems. Not that I suppose that tædium the ef- son why we should not be as faithful as we can; fect of rhyme itself, but rather of the perpetual re- and if blank verse affords the fairest chance, then currence of the same pause and cadence, unavoida- it claims the preference. ble in the English couplet. Your lordship, I will venture to say, can com Ει δύναμαι τελεσαι γι και οι τετελεσμένον εστί I hope I may say truly, it was not in a spirit mand me nothing in which I will not obey with of presumption that I undertook to do what, in the greatest alacrity. your Lordship's opinion, neither Dryden nor Pope would have dared to do. On the contrary, I see not how I could have escaped that imputation, But when, having made as close a translation as had I followed Pope in his own way. A closer even you can invent, you enjoin me to make it still translation was called for. I verily believe that closer, and in rhyme too, I can only reply as Horrhyme had betrayed Pope into his deviations. For ace to Augustus, me therefore to have used his mode of versifying -cupidum, pater optime, vires Deficiunt be sent by God, and honoured accordingly. Jove's I have not treacherously departed from my pataltar was placed in vodoxov. Phoenix had been tern that I might seem to give some proof of the describing that as his situation in the court of Pe leus: and his Aores refers to it.-But you must justness of my own opinion, but have fairly and not translate that literallyhonestly adhered as closely to it as I could. Yet your lordship will not have to compliment me on my success, either in respect of the poetical merit of my lines, or of their fidelity. They have just enough of each to make them deficient in the other. "Old daddy Phoenix, a God-send for us to maintain." Precious limbs was at first an expression of great feeling; till vagabonds, draymen, &c. brought upon it the character of coarseness and ridicule. It would run to great length, if I were to go through this one speech thus-this is enough for an example of my idea, and to prove the necessity of further deviation; which still is departing from the author, and justifiable only by strong necessity, such as should not be admitted, till the sense of the original had been laboured to the utmost, and been found irreducible. I will end this by giving you the strictest translation I can invent, leaving you the double task of bringing it closer, and of polishing it into the tyle of poetry. Ah! Phoenix, aged Father, guest of Jove! I have thought, that hero has contracted a dif ferent sense than it had in Homer's time, and is better rendered great man: but I am aware that the encliticks and other little words, falsely called expletives, are not introduced even so much as the genius of our language would admit. The euphony I leave entirely to you. Adieu! Oh Phoenix, father, friend, guest sent from Jove! Since I wrote these I have looked at Pope's. 1 TO THE LORD THURLOW. I HAUNT you with letters, but will trouble you now with a short line only to tell your lordship how happy I am that any part of my work has detain me long. I shall then proceed immediately pleased you. I have a comfortable consciousness to deliberate upon, and to settle the plan of my that the whole has been executed with equal in- commentary, which I have hitherto had but little dustry and attention; and am, my Lord, with time to consider. I look forward to it, for this many thanks to you for snatching such a hasty reason, with some anxiety. I trust at least that moment to write to me,* Your Lordship's obliged and affectionate WM. COWPER. TO THE REV. MR. HURDIS. MY DEAR SIR, this anxiety will cease when I have once satisfied myself about the best manner of conducting it. But after all I seem to fear more the labour to which it calls me, than any great difficulty with which it is likely to be attended. To the labours of versifying I have no objection, but to the labours of criticism I am new, and apprehend that I shall find them wearisome. Should that be the case, I shall be dull, and must be contented to share the censure of being so, with almost all the commentators that have ever existed. Weston, Feb. 21, 1792. My obligations to you on the score of your kind and friendly remarks demanded from me a much more expeditious acknowledgment of the numerous I have expected, but not wondered that I have pacquets that contained them; but I have been not received Sir Thomas More and the other MSS. hindered by many causes, each of which you you promised me, because my silence has been would admit as a sufficient apology, but none of such, considering how loudly I was called upon to which I will mention, lest I should give too much write, that you must have concluded me either of my paper to the subject. My acknowledgments dead or dying, and did not choose perhaps to trust are likewise due to your fair sister, who has tran- them to executors. scribed so many sheets in so neat a hand, and with so much accuracy. W.C. TO THE REV. MR. HURDIS. Weston, March 2, 1792. At present I have no leisure for Homer, but shall certainly find leisure to examine him with a reference to your strictures, before I send him a second time to the printer. This I am at present I HAVE this moment finished a comparison of unwilling to do, choosing rather to wait, if that your remarks with my text, and feel so sensibly may be, till I shall have undergone the discipline my obligations to your great accuracy and kindof all the reviewers; none of whom yet have taken ness, that I can not deny myself the pleasure of me in hand, the Gentleman's Magazine excepted. expressing them immediately. I only wish that By several of his remarks I have benefited, and instead of revising the two first books of the Iliad, shall no doubt be benefited by the remarks of all. you could have found leisure to revise the whole Milton at present engrosses me altogether. His two poems, sensible how much my work would Latin pieces I have translated, and have begun have benefited. with the Italian. These are few, and will not I have not always adopted your lines, though often perhaps at least as good as my own; because there will and must be dissimilarity of manner between two so accustomed to the pen as we are. But I have let few passages go unamended, which you seemed to think exceptionable; and this not at all from complaisance; for in such a cause I would not sacrifice an iota on that principle, but on clear conviction. I did not mean it as a sign of any presumption that you have attempted what neither Dryden nor Pope would have dared; but merely as a proof of I have as yet heard nothing from Johnson about their addiction to rhyme; for I am clearly con- the two MSS. you announce, but feel ashamed vinced that Homer may be better translated than that I should want your letter to remind me of your into rhyme, and that you have succeeded in the obliging offer to inscribe Sir Thomas More to me, places I have looked into. But I have fancied that it might have been still more literal, preserving should you resolve to publish him Of my consent the ease of genuine English and melody, and some to such a measure you need not doubt. I am codegree of that elevation which Homer derives from vetous of respect and honour from all such as you. simplicity. But I could not do it, or even near Tame hare, at present, I have none. But to enough to form a judgment, or more than a fancy make amends, I have a beautiful little spaniel, about it. Nor do I fancy it could be done "stans called Beau, to whom I will give the kiss your pede in uno." But when the mind has been fully sister Sally intended for the former. Unless she impregnated with the original passage, often re volving it and waiting for a happy moment may should command me to bestow it elsewhere; it still be necessary to the best trained mind. Adieu. shall attend on her directions. I am going to take a last dinner with a most at forgetting what I have seen. But if I am right agreeable family, who have been my only neigh- I can not help recommending the omitted passages bours ever since I have lived at Weston. On to your reconsideration. If the play were designed Monday they go to London, and in the summer for representation, I should be apt to think Cecito an estate in Oxfordshire, which is to be their lia's first speech rather too long, and should prefer home in future. The occasion is not at all a plea- to have it broken into dialogue, by an interposition sant one to me, nor does it leave me spirits to add now and then from one of her sisters. But since more than that I am, dear sir, it is designed, as I understand, for the closet only, + Most truly yours, W. C. TO JOHN JOHNSON, ESQ. at objection seems of no importance; at no rate however would I expunge it; because it is both prettily imagined, and elegantly written. I have read your cursory remarks, and am much pleased both with the style and the argument. Whether the latter be new or not, I am not com MY DEAREST JOHNNY, Weston, March 11, 1792. You talk of primroses that you pulled on Can-petent to judge; if it be, you are entitled to much dlemas day; but what think you of me who heard praise for the invention of it. Where other data a nightingale on New Year's day? Perhaps I are wanting to ascertain the time when an author am the only man in England who can boast of of many pieces wrote each in particular, there can such good fortune; good indeed, for if it was at be no better criterion by which to determine the all an omen, it could not be an unfavourable one. point, than the more or less proficiency manifested The winter, however, is now making himself in the composition. Of this proficiency, where it amends, and seems the more peevish for having appears, and of those plays in which it appears been encroached on at so undue à season. No- not, you seem to me to have judged well and truly; thing less than a large slice out of the spring will satisfy him. and consequently I approve of your arrangement. I attended, as you desired me, in reading the Lady Hesketh left us yesterday. She intended character of Cecilia, to the hint you gave me conindeed to have left us four days sooner; but in the cerning your sister Sally, and give you joy of such evening before the day fixed for her departure, a sister. This however not exclusively of the rest, snow enough fell to occasion just so much delay for though they may not be all Cecilias, I have a of it. strong persuasion that they are all very amiable. W. C. We have faint hopes that in the month of May we shall see her again. I know that you have had a letter from her, and you will no doubt have the grace not to make her wait long for an answer. We expect Mr. Rose on Tuesday; but he stays with us only till the Saturday following. With him I shall have some conferences on the subject of Homer, respecting a new edition I mean, and some perhaps on the subject of Milton; on him I have not yet begun to comment, or even fix the time when I shall. Forget not your promised visit! W. C. TO THE REV. MR. HURDIS. MY DEAR SIR, TO LADY HESKETH. MY DEAREST COz, The Lodge, March 25, 1792. Mr. ROSE's longer stay than he at first intended was the occasion of the longer delay of my answer to your date, as you may both have perceived by the date thereof, and learned from his information. It was a daily trouble to me to see it lying in the window seat, while I knew you were in expectation of its arrival. By this time I presume you have seen him, and have seen likewise Mr. Hayley's friendly letter and complimentary sonnet, as well as the letter of the honest Quaker; all of Weston, March 23, 1792. which, at least the two former, I shall be glad to I HAVE read your play carefully, and with great receive again at a fair opportunity. Mr. Hayley's pleasure; it seems now to be a performance that letter slept six weeks in Johnson's custody. It was can not fail to do you much credit. Yet, unless necessary I should answer it without delay, and my memory deceives me, the scene between Cecilia accordingly I answered it the very evening on and Heron in the garden has lost something that which I received it, giving him to understand, pleased me much when I saw it first; and I am among other things, how much vexation the booknot sure that you have not likewise obliterated an seller's folly had cost me, who had detained it so account of Sir Thomas's execution, that I found long; especially on account of the distress that I very pathetic. It would be strange if in these knew it must have occasioned to him also. From two particulars I should seem to miss what never his reply, which the return of the post brought me, existed; you will presently know whether I am as I learn that in the long interval of my noncorresgood at remembering what I never saw, as I am pondence he had suffered anxiety and mortification enough; so much that I dare say he made twenty not for me? This was adding mortification to vows never to hazard again either letter or compli- disappointment, so that I often lost all patience. ment to an unknown author. What indeed could The suffrage of Dr. Robertson makes more he imagine less, than that I meant by such an ob- than amends for the scurvy jest passed upon me stinate silence to tell him that I valued neither by the wag unknown. I regard him not; nor, him nor his praises, nor his proffered friendship; except for about two moments after I first heard in short that I considered him as a rival, and of his doings, have I ever regarded him. I have therefore, like a true author, hated and despised somewhere a secret enemy; I know not for what him? He is now however convinced that I love cause he should be so, but he I imagine supposes him, as indeed I do, and 1 account him the chief that he has a cause; it is well however to have acquisition that my own verse has ever procured but one; and I will take all the care I can not to me. Brute should I be if I did not, for he promises increase the number. me every assistance in his power. I have begun my notes, and am playing the I have likewise a very pleasing letter from Mr. commentator manfully. The worst of it is that Park, which I wish you were here to read; and a I am anticipated in almost all my opportunities to very pleasing poem that came enclosed in it for shine by those who have gone before me. my revisal, written when he was only twenty years of age, yet wonderfully well written, though wanting some correction. To Mr. Hurdis I return Sir Thomas More tomorrow; having revised it a second time. He is now a very respectable figure, and will do my friend, who gives him to the public this spring, considerable credit, W. C. TO SAMUEL ROSE, ESQ. MY DEAR FRIEND, W. C. TO WILLIAM HAYLEY, ESQ. MY DEAR FRIEND, Weston, April 6, 1792. GOD grant that this friendship of ours may be a comfort to us all the rest of our days, in a world where true friendships are rarities, and especially where suddenly formed they are apt soon to terminate! But as I said before, I feel a disposition of heart toward you that I never felt for one whom I had never seen; and that shall prove itself I trust in the event a propitious omen. March 30, 1792. My mornings, ever since you went, have been given to my correspondents; this morning I have already written a long letter to Mr. Park, giving my opinion of his poem, which is a favourable one. it amiss perhaps, for I have a terrible memory, I forget whether I showed it to you when you were here, and even whether I had then received it. He has genius and delicate taste; and if he were not an engraver might be one of our first hands in poetry. TO SAMUEL ROSE, ESQ. W. C. Horace says somewhere, though I may quote Utrumque nostrum incredibili modo ** * Our stars consent, at least have had an in- It gives me the sincerest pleasure that I may hope to see you at Weston; for as to any migrations of mine, they must, I fear, notwithstanding the joy I should feel in being a guest of yours, be still considered in the light of impossibilities. Come then, my friend, and be as welcome, as the country people say here, as the flowers in May! I am happy, as I say, in the expectation, but the fear, or rather the consciousness that I shall not Weston, April 5, 1792. You talk, my dear friend, as John Bunyan says, like one that has the egg-shell still upon his head. You talk of the mighty favours that you have received from me, and forget entirely those for which I am indebted to you; out though you forget them, I shall not, nor ever think that I have requited answer on a nearer view, makes it a trembling you, so long as any opportunity presents itself of rendering you the smallest service; small indeed is all that I can ever hope to render. kind of happiness, and a doubtful. After the privacy which I have mentioned above, I went to Huntingdon; soon after my arYou now perceive, and sensibly, that not with- rival there, I took up my quarters at the house of out reason I complained as I used to do of those the Rev. Mr. Unwin: I lived with him while he tiresome rogues the printers. Bless yourself that lived, and ever since his death have lived with his you have not two thick quartos to bring forth as widow. Her, therefore, you will find mistress of I had. My vexation was always much increased the house; and I judge of you amiss, or you will by this reflection; they are every day, and all day find her just such as you would wish. To me Long, employed in printing for somebody, and why she has been often a nurse, and invariably the kindest friend, through a thousand adversities to Calchas, for I do remember that you have not that I have had to grapple with in the course of yet furnished me with the secret history of him almost thirty years. I thought it better to intro- and his family, which I demanded from you. duce her to you thus, than to present her to you at your coming quite a stranger. Adieu. Yours, most sincerely, W. C. Bring with you any books that you think may I rejoice that you are so well with the learned be useful to my commentatorship, for with you Bishop of Sarum, and well remember how he ferfor an interpreter I shall be afraid of none of reted the vermin Lauder out of all his hidings, them. And in truth, if you think that you shall when I was a boy at Westminster. want them, you must bring books for your own use also, for they are an article with which I am heinously unprovided; being much in the condition of the man whose library Pope describes as No mighty store! His own works neatly bound, and little more! You shall know how this has come to pass hereafter. I have not yet studied with your last remarks before me, but hope soon to find an opportunity. TO LADY THROCKMORTON. MY DEAR LADY FROG, Weston, April 16, 1792. I THANK you for your letter, as sweet as it was Tell me, my friend, are your letters in your own short, and as sweet as good news could make it. handwriting; if so, I am in pain for your eyes, lest You encourage a hope that has made me happy by such frequent demands upon them I should ever since I have entertained it. And if my wishhurt them. I had rather write you three letters, for es can hasten the event, it will not be long susone, much as I prize your letters, than that should pended. As to your jealousy, I mind it not, or happen. And now, for the present, adieu-I am only to be pleased with it; I shall say no more on going to accompany Milton into the lake of fire the subject at present than this, that of all ladies and brimstone, having just begun my annotations. living, a certain lady, whom I need not name. would be the lady of my choice for a certain gentleman, were the whole sex submitted to my elec tion. W. C. TO THE REV. MR. HURDIS. MY DEAR SIR, Weston, April 8, 1792. What a delightful anecdote is that which you tell me of a young lady detected in the very act of stealing our Catharina's praises; is it posYour entertaining and pleasant letter, resemble that she can survive the shame, the mortificabling in that respect all that I receive from you, tion of such a discovery! Can she ever see the deserved a more expeditious answer; and should same company again, or any company that she can have had what it so well deserved, had it not suppose by the remotest probability, may have reached me at a time when deeply in debt to heard the tidings? If she can, she must have an all my correspondents, I had letters to write with- assurance equal to her vanity. A lady in Lonout number. Like autumnal leaves that strew don stole my song on the broken Rose, or rather the brooks in Vallambrosa, the unanswered far- would have stolen, and have passed it for her own. rago lay before me. If I quote at all, you must But she too was unfortunate in her attempt; for expect me henceforth to quote none but Milton, there happened to be a female cousin of mine in since for a long time to come I shall be occupied company, who knew that I had written it. It is with him only. very flattering to a poet's pride, that the ladies I was much pleased with the extract you gave should thus hazard every thing for the sake of apme from your sister Eliza's letter; she writes very propriating his verses. I may say with Milton, elegantly, and (if I might say it without seeming that I am fallen on evil tongues, and evil days, to flatter you) I should say much in the manner being not only plundered of that which belongs to of her brother. It is well for your sister Sally, me, but being charged with that which does not. that gloomy Dis is already a married man; else Thus it seems (and I have learned it from more perhaps finding her, as he found Proserpine, stu- quarters than one) that a report is, and has been dying botany in the fields, he might transport her some time current in this and the neighbouring to his own flowerless abode, where all her hopes counties, that though I have given myself the air of improvement in that science would be at an end of declaiming against the Slave Trade in the for ever. Task, I am in reality a friend to it; and last night What letter of the tenth of December is that I received a letter from Joe Rye, to inform me which you say you have not answered? Consider that I have been much traduced and calumniated it is April now, and I never remember any thing on this account. Not knowing how I could better that I write half so long. But perhaps it relates or more effectually refute the scandal, I have this |
