cardinal rule for translation into Latin verse, to simply aшu to subdue, at the outset, to classical purity all over-crowded imagery, complexity of metaphor, and exuberant, affected, or over-florid English (a fair illustration of which may be found in Lord Lyttelton's version of Tennyson's none in the 'Arundines Cami'); while it is almost equally important to avoid the use of paraphrase where the Latin idiom will bear a literal version, and, where the exigencies of the metre call for expansion, to guard against distorting, or diluting the idea.

Nothing but the intuitive taste, which can only be formed by experience, and by a careful study of Horace, whom, both as regards diction and metrical structure, Quintilian and modern scholars alike hold to be the only lyrical model, can enable the versifier to distinguish between those English ideas and expressions, which may be faithfully and correctly represented by almost literal Latin, and those which demand some modification ere they can assume a classical garb and tone. Young composers require to be reminded that the imitation of the great models of antiquity consists in seizing and infusing the tone and spirit of an author: not in appropriating and inserting a favourite phrase here and there; an error which drew down upon certain juvenile 'Prolusiones' the just censure of Porson, that they contained plenty of Ho race and Virgil, but nothing Horatian and nothing Virgilian.' The young versifier will do well to remember that the art of imitation is so far from being servile, that its requisites are

taste and originality-a principle sanctioned by the critical

poet:

'Dixeris egregiè, notum si callida verbum

Reddiderit junctura novum.

Publica materies privati juris erit, si

Nec circa vilem patulumque moraberis orbem;
Nec verbum verbo curabis reddere fidus

Interpres; nec desilies imitator in arctum.'

In concluding this Preface, the author desires to record his obligations to those who have aided him by valuable contributions or advice-especially to Sir Edward Bulwer Lytton, Bart., M.P., D.C.L.; the Rev. B. H. Kennedy, S.T.P., Prebendary of Litchfield, and Head Master of Shrewsbury School; the Rev. Christopher Wordsworth, S.T.P., Canon of Westminster, and late Head Master of Harrow; G. F. Harris, Esq., and the Rev. B. H. Drury, Assistant Masters of Harrow; Goldwin Smith, Esq., and John Conington, Esq., Fellows of University College, Oxford; Charles Lloyd, Esq., Student of Christ Church, and Assistant Master of Westminster School; and the Rev. Berdmore Compton, late Fellow of Merton College, Oxford, and Assistant Master at Rugby.

Merton College, April, 1854,

EXERCISES.

SAPPHICS.

PART I.

EXERCISE I.

AD MEDICUM.

I.

O powerful to relieve the sick frame,

Conqueror of fevers, to whom savage gout,

A soldier too-strong a for the rest, not-a-match for thee, Yields terrified.

II.

How it delights to try with soft finger

The veins of virgins; and it delights to see
The purple returning to their cheeks, and by thy

What may the poet wish thee, his patron?
From-day-to-day may fame increase to thee, may gain
Increase from-day-to-day, nor may death or health
Without thee, diseases

IV.

Relieve; and may thy smiles and jests

Anxious mothers, and the cares of youths

Soften by-degrees, and may thy

Stories captivate old3-ladies' minds.3

a Major.

b Impar.

c Fabula, sing.

d Vetulus.

V.

But if it grieve you to-be-an-idle-bachelor,
And chilled to watch (through) lonely nights,
May Venus be propitious, and may a

May her locks be dark, and her eyes black,
Her teeth white, and countenance rosy:
Courteous and richs let her bind her husband

With faithful3 love.

EXERCISE II.

"Pro More ac Monte."

I.

Already enough upon earth of snow and dark
Showers hath the Father sent: O, for awhile
May the winds fall, and from the gloomy

Sky may clouds fly.3

II.

Let not the crow interrupt our destined march,
Challenging rain with malignant cry;

And let the bird that1-heralds impending showers4 1

Provej false.

III.

Remove dismal storms, Father:

Remove them, or, such as you courted Danae,
Glide into our bosoms heavy with yellow metal.

e Cœlibem vacare.

! Cœptum.
i Aquæ.

g Nummatus. } Fallo.,

h Augur.

IV.

Illuminate this day with a brighterk sky:

To-morrow let the Father overspread the pole with a dark Cloud, or let storms4 rustle sounding with dire

Hail.

V.

Scatter thy smiling light, golden goddess,
Scatter it; but such as to modest Cephalus,

Or such as to a Phrygian husband' thou camest1-forth a new

Spouse.

VI.

The cycle now restoring the festive time,
Let youth take-arms,m books being laid-aside,
And climb in harmless triumph the sacred

Mount, under my lead:

VII.

Justly revered by me, more holy,

Justly, than Parnassus: to thee, illustrious summit,
Cyrrha yields, much-loved by Phoebus,

Nysa by Lyæus.

VIII.

These wreath the head of a tasteless poet

With sterile laurel; but thence

The golden palm awarded will bring me home