FOOTNOTES
[279] Granger, in his biographical history of England, speaks slightingly of Chapman’s Homer on Pope’s authority. Pope singularly explains what he considers as the defects of this translation, by saying that “the nature of the man may account for his whole performance: as he appears to have been of an arrogant turn, and an enthusiast in poetry.” A strange disqualification! He confesses, also, that “what very much contributed to cover his defects, is a daring fiery spirit that animates his translation: which is something like what one might imagine Homer himself would have written before he arrived at years of discretion.” Preface to Homer.
Mr. Godwin, in his “Lives of Edward and John Philips, nephews of Milton,” has illustrated the natural energy of style in Chapman’s Homer with critical taste and just feeling. Chap. x. p. 243.
[280] Feed upon or emaciate the features by dissipated excess.
[281] Vulcan.
[282] Persuasion.
[283] Necklaces; from Carquan, Fr. or Carcan. Dict. de l’Ac. Fr.
Threading a carkanet of pure round pearl.
Sir W. Davenant. The Wits, a comedy.
[284] To rack here means to give what is exacted; yeelds is yieldings, produce.
[285] Hinder.
[286] Hesitate.
[287] Beyond that which was sown first.
[288] Exertions.
[289] So much as.
[290] The Man of Thrift. Thie in the old Saxon is thrift.
[291] Animated with whose hardihood in braving the season for the sake of wealth.
[292] Slothful averseness to meet the rigour of the season, of which the consequence is poverty.
[293] Avoided through love of delicacy; or slothful indulgence.
[294] Remain unemployed; sit starving in idleness as long as the frost and snow endure.
[295] Thick, swollen.
[296] Clusters.
[297] The whole deluge of air being let loose in him, the (north-wind) on the surface of earth.
[298] In the original, many-nourishing. Chapman has elsewhere more faithfully the same epithet “many-a-creature-nourishing earth.”
[299] Being sheared.
[300] Skins.
[301] They keep out the whole force of the winter, which is concentrated in his (the winter’s) wind.
[302] She was of too tender an age to sustain the bridal embrace.
[303] A Grecism: swimming in beauty: in the Greek, many-golden Venus: abounding with charms.
[304] The care of seeking shelter.
[305] Being in need of shelter.
[306] To dress, or prepare by thrashing.
[307] Well-smooth’d or levell’d.
[308] Stow in.
[309] A Grecism: Dear in Greek being synonymous with his, hers, their: and in this instance an expletive.
[310] Humid.
[311] With the wish or desire.
[312] Sweated through; toiled through.
THE END.
C. Baldwin, Printer,
New Bridge-street. London.