*forward (or, thumped, butted, forward) in close pack'. The verb is too coarse for later polished prose, and even the adjective is very strong (packed together). I believe, that 'Forward in pack the Troians pitch'd', would not be really unfaithful to the Homeric colour; and I maintain that 'Forward in mass the Troians pitch'd', would be an irreprovable rendering.
Dryden in this respect is in entire harmony with Homeric style. No critic deals fairly with me in isolating any of these strong words, and then appealing to his readers whether I am not ignoble. Hereby he deprives me of the ἀγὼν, the 'mighty current' of Mr Arnold, and he misstates the problem; which is, whether the word is suitable, then and there, for the work required of it, as the coalman at the pit, the clown in the furrow, the huntsman in the open field.
3. There is a small number of words not natural plebeians, but patricians on which a most unjust bill of attainder has been passed, which I seek to reverse. On the first which I name, Mr Arnold will side with me, because it is a Biblical word, wench. In Lancashire I believe that at the age of about sixteen a 'girl' turns into 'a wench', or as we say 'a young woman'. In Homer, 'girl' and 'young woman' are alike inadmissible; 'maid' or 'maiden' will not always suit, and 'wench' is the
