THE MISSION TO BITHYNIA.
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appears as an Oxford racing-boat, dear to its own college for victories innumerable over such rivals as
"Brasenose of boating fame,
Or Exeter with crimson oar,
Or Balliol men from Scotia's shore."
Or Exeter with crimson oar,
Or Balliol men from Scotia's shore."
But the intrinsic charm of the original consists in the fond ownership which breathes in it; and the same is the case with the poet's address to Sirmio, his marine estate, on his return from his voyage in it, which we give in the version of Professor Robinson Ellis:—
"O thou of islands jewel, and of half-islands,
Fair Sirmio, whatever o'er the lake's clear rim
Or waste of ocean Neptune holds, a twofold power:
What joy have I to see thee! and to gaze, what glee!
Fair Sirmio, whatever o'er the lake's clear rim
Or waste of ocean Neptune holds, a twofold power:
What joy have I to see thee! and to gaze, what glee!
Scarce yet believing Thynia past, the fair champaign
Bithynian, yet in safety thee to greet once more.
From cares no more to part us—where is any joy like this?
Bithynian, yet in safety thee to greet once more.
From cares no more to part us—where is any joy like this?
When drops the soul her fardel, as the travel-tired,
World-weary wand'rer touches home, returns, sinks down
In joy to slumber on the bed desired so long—
This meed, this only, counts for e'en an age of toil.
World-weary wand'rer touches home, returns, sinks down
In joy to slumber on the bed desired so long—
This meed, this only, counts for e'en an age of toil.
O take a welcome, lovely Sirmio, thy lord's,
And greet him happy; greet him all the Lydian lake:
Laugh out whatever laughter at the hearth rings clear."
And greet him happy; greet him all the Lydian lake:
Laugh out whatever laughter at the hearth rings clear."
Mr Ellis's expression for the last line of the Latin sets
