Metamorphoses (tr. Garth, Dryden, et al.)/Preface
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PREFACE
THE Method I propose in writing this Preface, is to take Notice of some of the Beauties of the Metamorphoses, and also of the Faults, and particular Affectations. After which I shall proceed to hint at some Rules for Translation in general; and shall give a short Account of the following Version.
I shall not pretend to impose my Opinion on others with the magisterial Authority of a Critic; but only take the Liberty of discovering my own Taste. I shall endeavour to show our Poet's Redundance of Wit, Justness of Comparisons, Elegance of Descriptions, and peculiar Delicacy in touching every Circumstance relating to the Passions and Affections; and with the same Impartiality and Frankness, I shall confess the too frequent Puerilities of his luxuriant Fancy, and the too great Negligence of his sometimes unlabour'd Versification.
I am not of an Opinion, too common to Translators, to think that One is under an Obligation to extol everything he finds in the Author he undertakes: I am sure one is no more oblig'd to do so, than a Painter is to make every Face, that sits to him, handsome. 'Tis enough if he sets the best Features he finds in their full and most advantageous Light. But if the Poet has private Deformities, tho' Good-breeding will not allow to expose him naked, yet surely there can be no Reason to recommend him, as the most finish'd Model of Harmony and Proportion.
Whoever has this undistinguishing Complaisance, will not fail to vitiate the Taste of the Readers, and misguide many of them in their Judgment, where to approve, and where to censure.
It must be granted, that where there appears an infinite Variety of inimitable Excellencies, it would be too harsh and disingenuous to be severe on such Faults, as have escap'd rather thro' want of Leisure, and Opportunity to correct, than thro' the erroneous Turn of a deprav'd Judgment; How sensible Ovid himself was of the Uncorrectness of the Metamorphoses, appears from these Lines prefix'd before some of the Editions by the Care of his Commentators;
Orba parente suo quicunque Volumina tangis,
His saltem vestrâ detur in urbe locus.
Quòque magis faveas; non sunt hæc edita ab Ille,
Sed quasi de domini funere rapta sui.
Quicquid in his igitur vitii rude carmen habebit,
Emendaturus, si licuisset, erat. Trist. El. vi.
Since therefore the Readers are not solemnly invited to an Entertainment, but come accidentally; they ought to be contented with what they find: And pray what have they to complain of, but too great Variety? where, tho' some of the Dishes be not serv'd in the exactest Order, and Politeness, but hash'd up in haste; there are a great many accommodated to every particular Palate.
To like every thing, shows too little Delicacy; and to like nothing, too much Difficulty. So great is the Variety of this Poem, that the Reader, who is never pleas'd, will appear as monstrous, as he that is always so. Here are the Hurries of Battles for the Heroe, tender Emotions of Soul for the Lover, a Search and Penetiation into Nature for the Philosopher, Fluency of Numbers, and most expressive Figures for the Poet, Morals for the Serious, and Plaisantries for Admirers of Points of Wit.
'Tis certain a Poet is more to be suspected for saying too much, than too little. To add is often hazardous; but to retrench, commonly judicious. If our Author, instead of saying all he could, had only said all he should; Daphne had done well to fly from the God of Wit, in order to crown his Poet: Thus Ovid had been more honoured and ador'd in his Exile, than Augustus in his Triumphs.
I shall now attempt to give some Instances of the Happiness, and vast Extent of our Author's Imagination. I shall not proceed according to the Order of the Poem, but rather transcrib some Lines here, and there, as my Reflection shall suggest.
Nec circumfuso pendebat in aere tellus
Ponderibus librata suis———
Thus was the State of Nature before the Creation: And here it is obvious, that Ovid had a discerning Notion of the Gravitation of Bodies. 'Tis now demonstrated, that every Part of Matter tends to every Part of Matter with a Force, which is always in a direct simple Proportion of the Quantity of the Matter, and an inverse duplicate Proportion of the Distance; which Tendency or Gravitating is constant and universal. This Power, whatever it be, acting always proportionably to the solid Content of Bodies, and never in any Proportion to their Superficies; cannot be explain'd by any material Impulse. For the Laws of Impulse are physically necessary: There can be no άυτεξδ΄ σιο, or arbitrary Principle in meer Matter; its Parts cannot move unless they be mov'd; and cannot do otherwise, when press'd on by other Parts in Motion; and therefore 'tis evident from the following Lines, that Ovid strictly adhered to the Opinion of the most discerning Philosophers, who taught that all things were form'd by a wise and intelligent Mind.
Jussit & extendi campos, subsidere valles,
Fronde tegi sylvas ———
The Fiat of the Hebrew Law-giver is not more sublime, than the Jussit of the Latin Poet, who goes on in the same elevated and Philosophical Style.
His super imposuit liquidum, & gravitate carentem
Æthera———
Here the Author spreads a thin Veil of Æther over his Infant Creation; and tho' his asserting the upper Region to be void of Gravitation, may not, in a mathematical Rigour, be true; yet 'tis found from the natural Enquiries made since, and especially from the learned Dr. Hally's Discourse on the Barometer, that if, on the Surface of the Earth, an Inch of Quicksilver in the Tube be equal to a Cylinder of Air of 300 Foot, it will be at a Mile's Height equal to a Cylinder of Air of 2700000: And therefore the Air at so great a Distance from the Earth, must be rarify'd to so great a Degree, that the Space it fills must bear a very small Proportion to that which is entirely void of Matter.
I think, we may be confident from what already appears, as well as from what our Author has writ on the Roman Feasts, that he cou'd not be totally ignorant of Astronomy. Some of the Criticks wou'd insinuate from the following Lines, that he mistook the annual Motion of the Sun for the Diurnal.
Sectus in obliquum———Met. B. 2.
Tho' the Sun be always in one or other of the Signs of the Zodiack, and never goes by either Motion more Northward, or Southward, than is here describ'd; Yet Phaeton being design'd to drive the Chariot but one Day, ought to have been directed in the Æquator, or a Circle Parallel to it, and not round the other Oblique one of the Ecliptick: a Degree of which, and that by a Motion contrary to the Diurnal, he was obliged to go in that length of Time.
I am inclined to think, that Ovid had so great an Attention to Poetical Embellishments, that he voluntarily declin'd a strict Observance of any Astronomical System. For tho' that Science was far from being neglected in former Ages; yet the Progress which was made in it, by no means equall'd that of our present Time.
Lucretius, tho' in other things most penetrating, describes the Sun scarce bigger, than he appears to the Eye.
Nec nimio solis major rota, nec minor ardor
Esse potest, nostris quam sensibus esse videtur.
And Homer, imagining the Seats of the Gods above the fix'd Stars, represents the falling of Vulcan from thence to the Isle of Lemnos, to continue during a whole Day.
Πᾶν δ᾽ ἦμαρ Φερόμην, ἇμα δ᾽ ἠελίω καταδόντι
Κάππεσον ἐν Λήμνω———
The Greek Poet aims here to give a surprising Idea of the Height of the Celestial Mansions: but if the Computation of a modern Astronomer be true, they are at so much a greater Distance, that Vulcan wou'd have been more Years in falling, than he was Minutes.
But lest I shou'd exceed the usual Length of a Preface, I shall now give some Instances of the Propriety of our Author's Similes, and Epithets; the Perspicuity of his Allegories; the Instructive Excellence of the Morals; the peculiar happy Turn of his Fancy; and shall begin with the Elegance of his Descriptions.
———Madidis Notus evolat alis,
Terribilem piceâ tectus caligine vultum.
Barba gravis nimbis, canis fluit unda capillis,
Fronte sedent nebulæ, rorant pennæque, sinusque
Sternuntur segetes, & deplorata coloni
Vota jacent, longique labor perit irritus anni.
These Lines introduce those of the Deluge, which are also very Poetical, and worthy to be compar'd with the next, concerning the Golden Age.
———Sine militis usu
Mollia securæ peragebant otia gentes.
Ipsa quoque immunis rastroque intacta, nec ullis
Saucia vomeribus, per se dabat omnia tellus.
Contentique cibis, nullo cogente, creatis,
Arbuteos fœtus, montanaque fraga legebant.
Et quæ deciderant patulâ Jovis arbore glandes.
Ver erat æternum, placidique tepentibus auris
Mulcebant Zephiri natos sine semine flores.
Virgil has also touch'd upon the same Subject in the end of the Second Georgick.
Aureus hanc vitam in terris Saturnus agebat,
Nec dum etiam audierant inflari classica, nec dum
Impositos duris crepitare incudibus enses.
And again
Primus ab ætherio venit Saturnus Olympo
Aurea, quæ perhibent, illo sub rege fuerunt
Sæcula: sic placidâ populos in pace regebat.
Æn. B. 8. l. 319
Some of the Lines, a little foreign to the present Subject, are omitted; but I shall make the most admirable Author amends by transcribing at length his next Description. 'Tis of a Stag, which gave the first Occasion to the War betwixt the Trojans and the Rutulians: I chuse this, because my Design is to have these two great Poets seen together, where the Subject happens to be almost the same, tho' the Nature of the Poems be very different.
Cervus erat formâ præstanti, & cornibus ingens,
Tyrreidæ pueri, quem matris ab ubere raptum
Nutribant, Tyrrheusque pater, cui regia parens
Armenta, & latè custodia credita campi.
Assuetum imperiis soror omni Sylvia curâ
Mollibus intexens ornabat cornua sertis:
Pectebatque ferum, puroque in fonte lavabat.
Ille manûm patiens, mensæque assuetus herili
Errabat sylvis ——— Æn. B. 7. l. 483.
The Image which Ovid gives of the Favourite Stag slain accidentally by Cyparissus, seems not of less Dignity.
Ingens cervus erat, latéque patentibus altas
Ipse suo capiti præbebat cornibus umbras:
Cornua fulgebant auro, demissaque in armos
Pendebant tereti gemmata monilia collo.
Bulla super frontem parvis argentea loris
Vincta movebatur: parilique ex ære nitebant
Auribus in geminis circum cava tempora bacca.
Isque metu vacuus, naturalique pavore
Deposito, celebrare domos, mulcendaque colla
Quamlibet ignotis manibus præbere solebat.
Gratus erat Cyparisse tibi, Tupabula cervum
Ad nova, tu liquidi ducebas fontis ad undam.
Tu modo texebas varios per cornua flores:
Nunc, eques in tergo residens, huc latus & illus
Mollia purpureis frænabas ora capistris.
In the following Lines, Ovid describes the watry Court of the River Peneus, which the Reader may compare with Virgil's Subterranean Grott of Cyrene the Naiad, Mother to Aristæus.
Est nemus Hæmoniæ, prærupta quod undique claudit
Silva: vocant Tempe, per quæ Penëus ab imo
Effusus Pindo spumosis volvitur undis:
Dejectuque gravi tenues agitantia fumos
Nubila conducit, summasque aspergine sylvas
Impluit; & sonitu plus quam vicina fatigat.
Hæc domus, hæ sedes, hæc sunt penetralia magni
Amnîs: in hoc residens facto de cautibus antro.
Undis jura dabat, Nymphisque colentibus undas.
Conveniunt illuc popularia flumina primum;
Nescia gratentur, consolent urvé parentem,
Populifer Sperchëos, & irrequietus Enipeus,
Eridanusque senex, lenisque Amphrysos, & Æas.
Moxque amnes alii, qui, quà tulit impetus illos,
In mare deducunt fessas erroribus undas.
Tristis Aristæus Penei genitoris ad undam
Stat lacrymans
Jamque domum mirans genetrices, & humida regna,
Speluncisque lacus clausos, lucosque sonantes,
Ibat; & ingenti motu stupefactus aquarum,
Omnia sub magnâ labentia flumina terrâ
Spectabat diversa locis. Phasimque, Lycumque,
Et caput, unde altus primum se erumpit Enipeus,
Unde pater Tiberinus, & unde Aniena fluenta,
Et gemina auratus taurino cornua vultu
Eridanus, quo non alius per pinguia culta
In mare purpureum violentior influit amnis.
The Divine Poet goes on in Pomp of Numbers, and easy Magnificence of Words, till he introduces the Story of Orpheus and Euridice; in the Narration of which, he is as much superior to Ovid, as the Reeds of his own Mantuan Shepherds are less Musical, than the Lyre of Orpheus.
That I may not be too long on this Article, I shall recommend to the Reader, Ovid's admirable Description of Sleep.
———Est prope Cimmerios——— Met. B. II.
That of Hunger
———Est locus extremis Scythiæ——— B. 8.
That of the Plague
———Dira lues——— B. 7.
That of Fame
———Orbe locus medio est——— B. 12.
Virgil has also touch'd on the two last; in the one he had Lucretius in View; in the other, Homer: and I think it will not be to the Disadvantage of our Author to appear at the same time.
There are many other Descriptions scatter'd in the Metamorphoses, which for just Expression of Nature, and Majestick Modulation of Words, are only inferior to those already transcrib'd, as they are shorter; which makes the Objection, that his Diction is commonly loytring into Prose, a great deal too severe.
The Metamorphoses must be consider'd, as is observ'd before, very uncorrect; and Virgil's Works as finish'd: tho' his own Modesty wou'd not allow the Æneids to be so. It seems it was harder for him to please himself, than his Readers. His Judgment was certainly great, nor was his Vivacity of Imagination less; for the first without the last is too heavy, and like a Dress without Fancy; and the last without the first is too gay, and but all Trimming.
Our Author's Similitudes are next to be consider'd, which are always remarkably short, and convey some pleasing Idea to the Imagination. 'Tis in this Branch of the Poem, that he has discover'd as just a Judgment, as any of the Classicks whatever. Poets, to give a Loose to a warm Fancy, are generally too apt, not only to expatiate in their Simile's, but introduce them too frequently; by doing the first, they detain the Attention too long from the principal Narration; and by the latter, they make too frequent Breaches in the Unity of the Poem.
Those two Errors Ovid has most discerningly avoided. How short, and significant are generally his Comparisons! he fails not, in these, to keep a stiff Rein on a High-mettled Pegasus; and takes care not to surfeit here, as he had done on other Heads, by an erroneous Abundance.
His Simile's are thicker sown by much in the Fable of Salmacis, and Hermaphroditus, than in any other Book, but always short.
The Nymph clasps the Youth close to her Breast, and both sensibly grow one.
———Velut si quis conducto cortice ramos
Crescendo jungi, pariterque adolescere cernat.
Again, as Atalanta reddens in the Race with Hippomenes,
Inque puellari corpus candore ruborem
Traxerat; haud aliter quam cum super atria velum
Candida purpureum simulatas inficit umbras.
Philomela's Tongue seem'd to move after it was cut out by Tereus.
Utque salire solet mutilatæ cauda colubræ,
Palpitat
Cadmus sows the Dragons Teeth, and the Sons of the Earth rise gradually.
Inde fide majus glebæ cepêre moveri;
Primaque de sulcis acies apparuit hastæ;
Tegmina mox capitum picto nutantia cono,
Mox humeri, pectusque———
Sic ubi tolluntur festis aulæa theatris
Surgere signa solent, primumque ostendere vultum,
Cætera paulatim, placidoque educta tenore
Tota patent, imoque pedes in margine ponunt.
The Objection to Ovid, that he never knows when to give over, is too manifest. Tho' he frequently expatiates on the same Thought, in different Words; yet in his Simile's, that Exuberance is avoided. There is in them all a Simplicity, and a Confinement to the present Object; always a Fecundity of Fancy, but rarely an Intemperance: Nor do I remember he has err'd above once by an ill-judg'd Superfluity. After he has describ'd the Labyrinth built by Dædalus, he compares it thus,
Non secus ac liquidus Phrygiis Mænandrus in arvis
Ludit, & ambiguo lapsu refluitque, fluitque;
Et nunc ad fontes, nunc ad mare versus apertum
Incertas exercet aquas———Met. B. 8.
He should have ended at the Close of the second Line, as Virgil should have done at the End of the fourth in his noble Simile, where Dido proceeds to the Temple with her Court about her.
Qualis in Eurotæ ripis, aut per juga Cynthi
Exercet Diana choros, quam mille secutæ
Hinc, atque hinc glomerantur Orëades, illa pharetram
Fert humero, gradiensque deas supereminet omnes:
Latonæ tacitum pertentant gaudia pectus. Æn. B. 4.
I see no Reason for the last Line: Tho' the Poet be justly celebrated for a most consummate Judgment, yet by an Endeavour to imitate Homer's Simile's, he is not only very long, but by introducing several Circumstances, he fails of an applicable Relation betwixt the principal Subject, and his new Ideas. He sometimes thinks fit to work into the Piece some differing Embroidery, which, tho' very rich, yet makes at best but glorious Patch-work. I really believe his excellent Poem had not been the less so, if, in this Article, he had thought fit to have walk'd on in his own regular and majestick Grace, rather than have been hurry'd forward through broken Byways by his blind Guide.
I shall transcribe one of his Simile's which is not cull'd out, but exactly of the same Texture with all the rest in the four last Books of the Æneids.
Turnus leaps in Fury from his Chariot.
Ac veluti montis saxum de vertice præceps
Cum ruit avulsum vento, seu turbidus imber
Proluit, aut annis solvit sublapsa vetustas,
Fertur in abruptum magno mons improbus actu,
Exultatque solo, sylvas, armenta, virosque
Involvens secum——— Æn. B. 12. l. 684.
It does not seem to be at all material, whether the Rock was blown, or wash'd down by Wind or Rain, or undermin'd by Time.
But to return to Ovid, the Reader may take Notice how unforc'd his Compliments, and how natural his Transitions generally are. With how much Ease does he slide into some new Circumstance, without any Violation of the Unity of the Story. The Texture is so artful, that it may be compar'd to the Work of his own Arachne, where the Shade dyes so gradually, and the Light revives so imperceptibly, that it is hard to tell where the one ceases, and the other begins.
When he is going off from the Story of Apollo and Daphne; how happily does he introduce a Compliment to the Roman Conquerors.
———Et conjux quoniam mea non potes esse,
Arbor eris certè———
Tu Ducibus lætis aderis, cum læta triumphum
Vox canet, & longæ visent Capitolia pompæ.
Postibus Augtistis eadem fidissima custos
Ante fores stabis; mediamque tuebere quercum.
He compliments Augustus upon the Assassination of Julius; and, by way of Simile, takes the Opportunity from the Horror that the Barbarity of Lycaon gave.
———Sic cum manus impia sævit
Sanguine Cæsareo Romanum extinguere nomen, &c.
Julius is deify'd, and looks down on his adopted Son.
———Natique videns benefacta, fatetur
Esse suis majora, & vinci gaudet ab illo.Met. B. 15.
And immediately follows,
Hic sua præferri quanquam vetat acta paternis;
Libera fama tamen, nullisque obnoxia jussis
Invitum præfert.———
The Author in the two first Lines shows the affectionate Condescention of the Father; in the three last, the pious Gratitude of the Son.
The Compliments to Augustus are very frequent in the last Book of the Metamorphosis; as those to the same Emperor are in the Georgicks of Virgil, which also strike the Imagination by their agreeable Flattery.
Hæc super arvorum cultu, pecorumque canebam,
Et super arboribus; Cæsar dum magnus ad altum
Fulminat Euphratem bello, victorque volentes
Per populos dat jura, viamque affectat Olympo.
Again on Julius,
Imperium Oceano, famam qui terminet astris
Julius——— Æn. B. I.
The Compliments have a great Sublimity, and worthy of the Grandeur of the Heroes, and the Wit of the Poet.
Ovid as much deserves Praise, for saying a great deal in a little, as Censure for saying a little in a great deal. None of the Classick Poets had the Talent of expressing himself with more Force and Perspicuity.
Phaeton desires some Pledge of his Father's Tenderness, and asks to be trusted with his Chariot. He answers,
Pignora certa petis; do pignora certa timendo.
However, the latter complies with his Importunity: The Consequence is fatal, the World is set on Fire, even the Rivers feel the Force of the Conflagration. The Tagus boyls.
———Fluit ignibus Aurum.
The Nile retreats,
Occuluit que caput, quod adhuc latet———
Zanthus is parch'd up,
Arsurusque iterum Zanthus———
The Poet's Fancy is here full of Energy, as well as in the following Lines. Apollo courts Daphne, and promises himself Success, but is disappointed.
Quodque cupit, sperat; suaque illum Oracula fallunt.
And again,
The River Achelous combats Hercules, and assumes several Shapes in vain, then puts on at last that of a Snake; the Heroe smiles in Contempt.
Cunarum labor est angues superare mearum.
Ovid never excells himself so much, as when he takes Occasion to touch upon the Passion of Love; all Hearts are in a manner sensible of the same Emotions; and, like Instruments tun'd Unisons, if a String of any one of them be struck, the rest, by consent, vibrate.
Procris is jealous of Cephalus; she endeavours to be confirm'd in her Fears, but hopes the contrary,
———Speratque miserrima falli.
The next is not less natural,
———Sed cuncta timemus amantes.
Biblis is in love with Caunus. The Struggle is betwixt her unlawful Flame, and her Honour.
She's all Confusion at the Thoughts of discovering her Passion———
———miserere fatentis amorem.
She attempts to write,
Incipit & dubitat: scribit, damnatque tabellas,
Et notat, & delet: mutat, culpatque probatque.
In the End, Inclination, as it does always, gets the better of Discretion.
This last Fable shows how touchingly the Poet argues in Love Affairs, as well as those of Medea, and Scylla. The two last are left by their Heroes, and their Reflections are very natural, and affecting. Ovid seem'd here to have had Virgil's Passion of Dido in his Eye, but with this Difference; the one had convers'd much with Ladies, and knew they lov'd to talk a great deal: The other consider'd no less, what was natural for them to say, than what became them to say.
Virgil has, through the whole Management of this Rencounter, discover'd a most finish'd Judgment. Æneas, like other Men, likes for Convenience, and leaves for greater. Dido, like other Ladies, resents the Neglect, enumerates the Obligations the Lover is under, upbraids him with Ingratitude, threatens him with Revenge, then by and by submits, begs for Compassion, and has Recourse to Tears.
It appears from this Piece, that Virgil was a discerning Master in the Passion of Love: And they that consider the Spirit, and Turn of that inimitable Line———Qui Bavium non odit——— cannot doubt but he had an equal Talent for Satyr.
Nor does the Genius of Ovid more exert on the Subject of Love, than on all others. In the Contention of Ajax, Ulysses his Elocution is most nervous and perswading. Where he endeavours to disswade Mankind frome indulging carnivorous Appetites in his Pythagorean Philosophy, how emphatical is his Reasoning!
Quid meruêre boves, animal sine fraude, dolisque,
Innocuum, simplex, natum tolerare laborem?
Immemor est demum, nec frugum munere dignus
Qui potuit curvi dempto modò pondere aratri
Ruricolam mactare suum——— Met. B. 15.
I think Agricolam had been stronger, but the Authority of Manuscripts does not warrant that Emendation.
Through the whole Texture of this Work, Ovid discovers the highest Humanity, and a most exceeding good Nature. The Virtuous in Distress are always his Concern; and his Wit contrives to give them an Immortality with himself.
He seems to have taken the most Pains in the first and second Book of the Metamorphoses, tho' the thirteenth abounds with Sentiments most moving, and with calamitous Incidents, introduc'd with great Art. The Poet had here in View, the Tragedy of Hecuba in Euripides; and 'tis a wonder, it has never been attempted in our own Tongue. The House of Priam is destroy'd, his Royal Daughter a Sacrifice to the Manes of him that occasion'd it. She is forc'd from the Arms of her unhappy Friends, and hurry'd to the Altar, where she behaves her self with a Decency becoming her Sex, and a Magnanimity equal to her Blood, and so very affecting, that even the Priest wept.
—Ipse etiam flens, invitusque sacerdos, &c.
She shows no Concern at approaching Death, but on the Account of her old, unfortunate Mother,
Mors tantum vellum matrem mea fallere possit.
Mater obest, minuitque necis mea gaudia; quamvis
Non mea mors illi: verum sua vita gemenda est.
Then begs her Body may be deliver'd to her without Ransom,
———Genetrici corpus inemptum
Reddite; néve, auro redimat jus triste sepulchri,
Sed lacrymis: tunc, cum poterat, redimebat & auro.
The unhappy Queen laments, she is not able to give her Daughter royal Burial,
Non hæc est fortuna domûs—
Then takes the Body in her decrepid Arms, and halts to the Sea to wash off the Blood,
—Ad littus passu processit anili
Albentes laniat a comas.—
The animated Thoughts, and lively Images of this Poem, are numerous. None ever painted more to the Life, than our Author, tho' several Grotesque Figures are, now and then, seen in the same Groupe. The most plentiful Season, that gives Birth to the finest Flowers, produces also the rankest Weeds. Ovid has shown in one Line, the brightest Fancy sometimes; and in the next, the poorest Affectation.
Venus makes Court to Adonis,
———Et ecce!
Opportuna suâ blanditur Populus umbrâ;
Et requievit humo; pressitque & gramen & ipsum.
Phœbus requests Phaeton to desist from his Request.
—Confiliis, non curribus utere nostris.
Cæneus in the Battle of the Centaurs wounds Latreus in several Places.
—Vulnusque in vulnere fecit.
These are some of our Poet's Boyisms. There is another Affectation, call'd by Quintilian Όξόμω ον, or a witty Folly, which wou'd not have appear'd quite so trifling, had it been less frequent.
Medea persuades the Daughters of Pelias to kill their Father, in order to have his Youth renew'd. She, that loves him best, gives the first Wound,
Et, ne sit scelerata, facit scelus— Met. B. 7.
Althea is enrag'd at her Son Meleager, and to do Justice to the Manes of his Brothers, destroys him,
Impietate pia est—
Envy enters Athens, and beholds the flourishing Condition of the City,
Vixque tenet lacrymas, quia nil lacrymabile cernit.
Ovid was much too fond of such Witticisms, which are more to be wonder'd at, because they were not the Fashion of that Age, as Punns and Quibbles are of this. Virgil, as I remember, is not found trifling in this Manner above once or twice.
Deucalion vacuum lapides jactavit in orbem,
Unde homines nati, durum genus— G.B. I. l. 63.
Juno is in Indignation at Æneas upon his Arrival in Italy.
Num capti potuere capi? num incensa cremavit
Troja viros?— Æ. 7. l. 295.
The Poet is so far from affecting this Sort of Wit, that he rarely ventures on so spirited a Turn of Fancy, as in these following Instances.
Juno upbraids Venus, and Cupid ironically, that two Deities cou'd be able to get the better of one weak Woman,
Memorabile nomen,
Una dolo Divûm, si fæmina victa duorum est.
Euryalus, going upon an Enterprise, expresses his Concern for his surviving Mother, if he shou'd fall, and recommends her to the Care of Ascanius, who answers,
Namque erit ista mihi genitrix, nomenque Creüsæ
Solum defuerit—
Venus is importunate in her Sollicitations to Vulcan, to make Armour for her Son: He answers,
Absiste precando
Viribus indubitare tuis—Æn. B. 7.
At the first kindling of Dido's Passion, he has this most natural Thought,
Illum absens absentem auditque, videtque.
But to return to Ovid; tho' I cannot vindicate him for his Points, I shall endeavour to mollify his Criticks, when they give him no Quarter for his Diction, and attack him so inflexibly for ending his Lines with Monosyllables, as —si quis —si non, &c. and as I think he cannot be excus'd more advantagiously, than by affirming, that where he has done it once, Virgil has twenty times
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There are a great many Endings of Lines in this manner, and more indeed than seems consistent with the Majesty of Heroick Verse. When Lines are design'd to be sermoni propiores, this Liberty may be allowable, but not so when the Subject requires more sonorous Numbers. Virgil seems to endeavour to keep up his Versification to an harmonious Dignity; and therefore, when fit Words do not offer with some Ease, he'll rather break off in an Hemistick, than that the Line shou'd be lazy and languid. He well knew, how essential it was in Poetry to flatter the Ear; and at the same time was sensible, that this Organ grows tir'd by a constant Attention to the same Harmony; and therefore he endeavour'd now and then to relieve it by a Cadence of Pauses, and a Variation of Measures.
Amphion Dircæus in Actæo Aracyntho.Ecl. 2.
This Line seems not tuneful at the first hearing; but by Repetition, it reconciles it self, and has the same Effect with some Compositions of Musick, which are at the first Performance tiresome, and afterward entertaining.
The Commentators and Criticks are of Opinion, that whenever Virgil is less musical, it is where he endeavours at an Agreement of the Sound with the Sense, as,
Procumbit humi bos.
It wou'd show as much Singularity to deny this, as it does a fanciful Facility to affirm it, because it is obvious, in many Places he had no such View.
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The Places, which favour most the first Opinion are,
Saxa per & scopulus, & depressas convalles.
Sæpe exiguus mus.
Omnia sub magnâ labentia flumina terrâ.G. 4.
The last Line is the only Instance, I remember (except one Ecl. 2.) where the Words terminate in the same Vowel, and seem to represent the constant and uniform Sound of a sliding Stream.
Those, that are most conversant in Classick Poetry, must be sensible, that Virgil has been much more solicitous, than Ovid, to keep up his Lines to an easy and a musical Flow; but tho' the Criticks charge the latter with breaking through Prosody and Grammar, allowing himself too often the Licence of Græcisms; I take this Censure to be only an arrogant Pedantry in the Grammarians, and groundless in it self; but tho' it were true, I dare be confident it is full as just upon Virgil,
Curru subjungere Tigres,Ecl. 5. l. 29.
for Currui, according to the Grammarians.
Often Adjectives for Adverbs; and the contrary.
G. I.Pinguia culta; an Adjective, for a Substantive.
Denso distinguere pingui; the same.
Æn. II. l. 69.Seu languentis Hyacinthi; first Foot of the Dactyl short.
Æn. 4.—Tulerunt fastidia menses; the Penultima of the Verb short.
Obstupui steteruntque comæ—the same.
So Lucretius, prodiderunt, reciderunt, &c.
G. I. l. 283.—Pampinea gravidus autumno; an Iambick for a Spondee.
Fluviorum rex Eridanus camposque per omnes; an Anapest for a Dactyl, or a Spondee.}}
Æn. 10. l. 29. Nec Clytio genitore minor nec fratre Mnestheo; a Trochee, unless the two Consonants MN of the following Word be allow'd.
G. I. l. 456. Fervere, non illâ quisquam—
The Penultima commonly short with Virgil, so fulgere, stridere, &c.
G. I. l. 456.—Sine me furere ante furorem; a Græcism.
Æn. 12. l. 680. Imponere Pelio Ossam; a Græcism, where there is no Elision, but the long Vowel before another made short.
The Learned and Reverend Dr. Clark has observ'd, (as he tells me) that tho' there be several short Vowels made long in Homer, yet there is no Instance on the contrary, of any long Vowel (such as the first Syllable of τιμὴ ψυχὴ, ⟨νίκὴ⟩, and the like) ever made short, where no Vowel follows. Which shows that there is no such thing as a Poetica licentia, properly so call'd.
Certainly no body can imagine but these two celebrated Authors understood their own Tongue better, than the scrupulous Grammarians of After-ages, who are too dogmatical and self-sufficient, when they presume to censure either of them for not attending strictly enough to Syntax, and the Measure of Verse. The Latin Tongue is a dead Language, and none can decide with Confidence on the Harmony or Dissonance of the Numbers of these Times, unless they were thoroughly acquainted with their Pauses and Cadence. They may indeed pronounce with much more Assurance on their Diction; and distinguish where they have been negligent, and where more finish'd. There are certainly many Lines in Ovid, where he has been downright lazy, and where he might have avoided the Appearance of being obviously so by a very little Application. In recording the Succession of the Alban Kings, thus,
Epitus ex illo est, post hunc Capetusque, Capysque,
Sed Capys ante fuit———
There are also several Lines in Virgil, which are not altogether tunable to a modern Ear, and which appear unfinish'd.
Scilicet omnibus est labor impendendus, & omnes
Cogendæ in sulcum——— G. 2. l. 61.
Præsertim si tempestas a vertice sylvis
Incubuit——— G. 2. l. 310.
Quasve referre parem? sed nunc, est omnia quando
Iste animus supra——— Æn. 11. l. 509.
Ista quidem quia nota mihi tua, magne, voluntas.
Jupiter——— Æn. 12. l. 108.
But the Sun has its Spots; and if amongst thousands of inimitable Lines, there shou'd be some found of an unequal Dignity with the rest, nothing can be said for their Vindication more, than, if they be Faults, they are the Faults of Virgil.
As I ought to be on this Occasion an Advocate for Ovid, whom I think is too much run down at present by the critical Spirit of this Nation; I dare say, I cannot be more effectually so, than by comparing him in many Places with his admir'd Contemporary Virgil; and tho' the last certainly deserves the Palm, I shall make use of Ovid's own Lines, in the Tryal of Strength betwixt Achelous and Hercules, to show how much he is honour'd by the Contention.
———Non tam
Turpe fuit vinci, quam contendisse decorum. Met. B. 9.
I shall finish my Remarks on our Author, by taking Notice of the Justness and Perspicuity of his Allegories; which are either Physical or Natural; Moral or Historical. Of the first Kind is the Fable of Apollo and Pythion; in the Explanation of this all the Mythologists agree; Exhalations and Mists being the constant Effects of Inundations, are here dissipated by the Rays of the Sun.
Of the second Kind, are Acteon torn to Pieces by his own Pack of Dogs, and Erisicthon starv'd by the Disease of Hunger. These two Allegories seem to signify, that Extravagance and Luxury end in Want.
Of the third, is the Story of the Rape of Europa. History says, she was Daughter to Agenor, and carry'd by the Candians in a Gally, bearing a Bull in the Stern, in order to be marry'd to one of their Kings nam'd Jupiter.
This Explanation gives an Occasion for a Digression which is not altogether foreign to the present Purpose, because it will be of Use to justify Ovid on some other Occasions, where he is censured for being too free with the Characters of the Gods. I was once representing the Metamorphoses, as an excellent System of Morality; but an illustrious Lady, whose least Advantage above her Sex, is that of being one of the greatest Princesses in Europe, objected, that the loose and immodest Sallys of Jupiter did by no means confirm my Assertion.
One must consider, that what appear'd an Absurdity in Ovid, is not so much his own Fault, as that of the Times before him. The Characters of the Gods of the old Heroick Age represented them unjust in their Actions; mutable in their Designs, partial, in their Favours; ignorant of Events; scurrilous in their Language. Some of the superior Hierarchy treating one another with injurious Brutalities, and are often guilty of such Indecencies and Misbehaviour as the lowest of Mortals would blush to own. Juno calls Diana, the Goddess of Chastity, κύον ἀδδεές, Brazen-fac'd Bitch; Hom. Il. I. B. 21. l. 481. Jupiter insults his Daughter, the Goddess of Wisdom, for Rashness and Folly; bids Iris tell her, he'll maul her Coach-Horses for her, like a surly Bitch as she is; ἀινοτάΊη κύον: Il. B. 8. from l. 400. to l. 425. then threatens in another Place to beat his Wife, that divine Vixon, the immortal Partner of the Empyreal Throne, και σε πλήγησιν ἱμάσσω Il. B. 15. l. 17.
The Commentators may endeavour to hide those Absurdities under the Veil of Allegories; but the Reader that considers the whole Texture of the Iliad, will find, that the Author's Meaning, and their Interpretation are often as unlike, as the imaginary Heroes of his time, are to the real ones of ours.
Allegories should be obvious, and not like Meteors in the Air, which represent a different Figure to every different Eye. Now they are Armies of Soldiers; now Flocks of Sheep; and by and by, nothing.
Perhaps the Criticks of a more exalted Taste, may discover such Beauties in the antient Poetry, as may escape the Comprehension of us Pigmies of a more limited Genius. They may be able to fathom the Divine Sense of the Pagan Theology; whilst we aim at no more, than to judge of a little common Sense.
It is, and ever will be a Rule to a great many, to applaud and condemn with the general Vogue, tho' never so ill grounded. The most are afraid of being Particular; and rather than strive against the Stream, are proud of being in the wrong with the Many, rather than desirous of being in the right with the Few: and tho' they be convinc'd of the Reasonableness of dissenting from the common Cry, yet out of a poor fear of Censure, they contribute to establish it, and thus become an Authority against others, who in Reality are but of their own Opinion
Ovid was so far from paying a blind Deference to the venerable Name of his Grecian Predecessor, in the Character of his Gods; that when Jupiter punishes Andromeda for the Crimes of her Mother, he calls him injustus Ammon, Met. B. 4. and takes commonly an honourable care of the Decorum of the Godhead, when their Actions are consistent with the Divinity of their Character. His Allegories include some Religious, or instructive Moral, wrap'd up in a peculiar Perspicuity. The Fable of Proserpine, being sometimes in Hell, and sometimes with Ceres her Mother, can scarce mean any thing else than the sowing and coming up of the Corn. The various Dresses, that Vertumnus, the God of Seasons, puts on in his Courtship of Pomona the Garden Goddess, seem plainly to express the different and most proper times for Digging, Planting, Pruning, and gathering the Increase. I shall be shorter on this Head, because our Countryman Mr. Sands has, by a laborious Search among the Mythologists, been very full. He has annex'd his Explanations to the end of each Book, which deserve to be recommended to those, that are Curious in this figurative Learning.
The Reader cannot fail of observing, how many excellent Lessons of Morality Ovid has given us in the course of his Fables.
The Story of Deucalion, and Pyrrha teaches, that Piety, and Innocence cannot miss of the divine Protection, and that the only Loss irreparable is that of our Probity, and Justice.
That of Phæton; how the too great Tenderness of the Parent proves a Cruelty to the Child; and that he who would climb to the Seat of Jupiter, generally meets with his Bolt by the way.
The Tale of Baucis and Philemon is most inimitably told. He omits not the minutest Circumstance of a Cottage Life; and is much fuller than Virgil, where he brings in his contented old Man Corycius. G. 4. Ovid represents a good old Couple; happy, and satisfy'd a cleanly Poverty, hospitable, and free of the few things, that Fortune had giv'n them; moderate in Desires; affectionate in their conjugal Relation; so religious in Life, that when they observ'd their homely Cabbin rising to a Temple, all the Bounty they ask'd of the Gods they had entertain'd, was, that they might do the Office of Priesthood there; and at their Death, not survive one another.
The Stories of Lycaon, and Pentheus, not only deter from Infidelity, and Irreverence to the Gods; but the last also shows, that too great Zeal produces the same Effects, as none at all; and that Enthusiasm is often more cruel, than Atheism.
The Story of Minos, and Scylla represents the Infamy of selling our Country; and teaches, that even they who love the Crime, abhor the Criminal.
In Cippus we find a noble Magnanimity, and Heavenly Self-denial; he preferred the Good of the Republick to his own private Grandeur; and chose with an exemplary Generosity, rather to live a private Free-Man out of Rome, than to command Numbers of Slaves in it.
From the Story of Hercules we learn, that Glory is a Lady, who, like many others, loves to have her Admirers suffer a great deal for her. The Poet enumerates the Labours of the Heroe; shows how he conquer'd every thing for others, but nothing for himself: Then does him the Poetical Justice of an Apotheosis; thinking it most fit that one, who had born the Celestial Orbs on his Shoulders, should have a Mansion amongst them.
From the Assumption of Romulus; that when War was at an end, the chief Business of Peace should be the enacting good Laws; that after a People are preserv'd from the Enemy; the next care shou'd be, to preserve them from themselves; and therefore the best Legislators deserve a Place amongst Heroes, and Deities.
From Ariadne being inhumanly deserted by Theseus, and generously receiv'd by Bacchus we find, that as there is nothing we can be sure of, so there is nothing we ought to despair of.
From Althea burning the Brand; that we shou'd take care least under the Notion of Justice, we shou'd do a Cruelty; for they that are set upon Revenge, only endeavour to imitate the Injury.
From Polyphemus making Love to Galatea one may observe, that the most deform'd can find something to like in their own Person. He examines his Face in the Stream, combs his ruful Locks with a Rake, grows more exact, and studious of his Dress, and discovers the first Sign of being in Love, by endeavouring at a more than usual Care to please.
The Fable of Cephalus, and Procrys confirms, that every Trifle contributes to heighten the Disease of Jealousy; and that the most convincing Proofs can scarce cure it.
From that of Hippomenes, and Atalanta we may discover, that a generous Present helps to persuade, as well as an agreeable Person.
From Medea's flying from Pelias's Court; that the offer'd Favours of the Impious should be always suspected; and that they, who design to make every one fear them, are afraid of every one.
From Myrrha; that Shame is sometimes hard to be overcome, but if the Sex once gets the better of it, it gives them afterwards no more Trouble.
From Cenis; that Effeminacy in Youth may change to Valour in Manhood, and that as Fame Perishes, so does Censure.
From Tereus; that one Crime lays the Foundation of many; and that the same Person, who begins with Lust, may conclude with Murder.
From Midas; that no Body can punish a Covetous Man worse, than he punishes himself; that scarce any thing wou'd sometimes prove more fatal to us, than the Completion of our own Wishes; and that he who has the most Desires, will certainly meet with the most Disappointments.
From the Pythagorean Philosophy, it may be observ'd, that Man is the only Animal, who kills his Fellow-Creature without being angry.
From Proteus we have this Lesson, that a Statesman can put on any Shape; can be a Spaniel to the Lyon, and a Lyon to the Spaniel; and that he knows not to be an Enemy, who knows not how to seem a Friend; that if all Crowns shou'd change their Ministry, as often as they please, tho' they may be call'd other Ministers, they are still the same Men.
The Legend of Æsculapius's Voyage to Rome in form of a Snake, seems to express the necessary Sagacity requir'd in Professors of that Art, for the readier insight into Distempers: This Reptile being celebrated by the ancient Naturalists for a quick Sight.
Cur in amicorum vitium tam cernis acutum
Quam aut aquilæ, aut serpens Epidaurius?
The venerable Epidaurian assum'd the figure of an Animal without Hands to take Fees; and therefore, grateful Posterity honoured him with a Temple. In this manner shou'd wealthy Physicians, upon proper Occasions, practise; and thus their surviving Patients reward.
If the Metamorphoses be attended to with a just Application, and without Prepossession; One will be the less surpriz'd at the Author's Prophetick Spirit, relating to the Duration, and Success of the Work.
Jamque opus exegi, &c.———
This Prediction has so far prov'd true, that this Poem has been ever since the Magazine, which has furnish'd the greatest Poets of the following Ages with Fancy, and Allusions; and the most celebrated Painters with Subjects, and Designs. Nor have his Poetical Predecessors, and Contemporaries paid less Regard to their own Performances.
Insignemque meo capiti petere inde coronam,
Unde prius nulli velârunt tempora Musæ.
Lucr. B. I.
Nemo me lacrumeis decoret, nec funera fletu
Facsit; quur volito vivu' per ora virûm.
Enn. Frag.
Tentanda via est, quâ me quoque possim
Tollere humo, victorque virûm volitare per era.
Virg.G. 3.
Me doctarum Ederæ præmia frontium
Diis miscent superis
Hor. Od. I.
Again,
Exegi monumentum ære perennius,
Regalique situ Pyramidum altius,
Quod non imber edax, non Aquilo impotens
Possit diruere, aut innumerabilis
Annorum series, & fuga temporum.
Non omnis moriar.
Hor. B. 3. Od. 30.
The whole Ode is in a manner a continu'd Compliment to his own Writings; nor, in Imitation of this celebrated Author, want we Poets of our present Age, who have been pleas'd to rank themselves amongst their own Admirers.
I have done with the Original, and shall make no Excuse for the Length of the Preface, because it is in the Power of the Reader to make it as short as he pleases. I shall now conclude with a Word or two about the Version.
Translation is commonly either Verbal, or Paraphrase, or Imitation; of the first is Mr. Sands's, which I think the Metamorphoses can by no means allow of. It is agreed, the Author left it unfinish'd; if it had undergone his last Hand, it is more than probable, that many Superfluities had been retrench'd. Where a Poem is perfectly finish'd; the Translation, with regard to particular Idioms, cannot be too exact; by doing this, the Sense of the Author is more entirely his own, and the Cast of the Periods more faithfully preserv'd: But where a Poem is tedious through Exuberance, or dark through a hasty Brevity, I think the Translator may be excus'd for doing what the Author upon revising, wou'd have done himself.
If Mr. Sands had been of this Opinion, perhaps other Translations of the Metamorphoses had not been attempted.
A Critick has observ'd, that in his Version of this Book, he has scrupulously confin'd the Number of his Lines to those of the Original. 'Tis fit I should take the Summ upon Content, and be better bred, than to count after him.
The Manner that seems most suited for this present Undertaking, is neither to follow the Author too close out of a Critical Timorousness; nor abandon him too wantonly through a Poetick Boldness. The Original should always be kept in View, without too apparent a Deviation from the Sense. Where it is otherwise; it is not a Version, but an Imitation. The Translator ought to be as intent to keep up the Gracefulness of the Poem, as artful to hide its Imperfections; to copy its Beauties, and to throw a Shade over its Blemishes, to be faithful to an ldolatry, where the Author excells; and to take the Licence of a little Paraphrase, where Penury of Fancy, or Dryness of Expression seem to ask for it.
The ingenious Gentlemen concern'd in this Undertaking seem to be of this Opinion; and therefore they have not only consulted the Reputation of the Author, but their own also. There is one of them has no other Share in this Compliment, than by being the Occasion of engaging them that have, in obliging the Publick. He has also been so just to the Memory and Reputation of Mr. Dryden, as to give his incomparable Lines the Advantage of appearing so near his own.
I cannot pass by that admirable English Poet, without endeavouring to make his Country sensible of the Obligations they have to his Muse. Whether they consider the flowing Grace of his Versification; the vigorous Sallies of his Fancy; or the peculiar Delicacy of his Periods; they'll discover Excellencies never to be enough admir'd. If they trace him from the first Productions of his Youth, to the last Performances of his Age, they'll find, that as the Tyranny of Rhyme never impos'd on the Perspicuity of the Sense; so a languid Sense never wanted to be set off by the Harmony of Rhyme. And as his earlier Works wanted no Maturity; so his latter wanted no Force or Spirit. The falling off of his Hair, had no other Consequence, than to make his Lawrels be seen the more.
As a Translator he was just; as an Inventer he was rich. His Versions of some Parts of Lucretius, Horace, Homer, and Virgil throughout, gave him a just Pretence to that Compliment which was made to Monsieur d'Albancourt, a celebrated French Translater; It is uncertain who have the greatest Obligations to Him, the Dead or the Living.
With all these wondrous Talents, he was libell'd in his Life-time by the very Men, who had no other Excellencies, but as they were his Imitators. Where he was allow'd to have Sentiments superior to all others, they charged him with Theft: But how did he steal? no otherwise, than like those, that steal Beggars Children, only to cloath them the better.
'Tis to be lamented, that Gentlemen still continue this unfair Behaviour, and treat one another every Day with most injurious Libels. The Muses should be Ladies of a chaste and fair Behaviour: When they are otherwise, they are Furies. 'Tis certain that Parnassus is at best but a barren Mountain, and its Inhabitants contrive to make it more so by their unneighbourly Deportment; the Authors are the only Corporation that endeavour at the Ruin of their own Society. Every Day may convince them, how much a rich Fool is respected above a poor Wit. The only Talents in Esteem at present are those of Exchange-Alley; one Tally is worth a Grove of Bays; and 'tis of much more Consequence to be well read in the Tables of Interest, and the Rise and Fall of Stocks, than in the Revolution of Empires.
Mr. Dryden is still a sad, and shameful Instance of this Truth: The Man, that cou'd make Kings immortal, and raise triumphant Arches to Heroes, now wants a poor square Foot of Stone, to show where the Ashes of one of the greatest Poets, that ever was upon Earth, are deposited.
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