This version is generally faithful both to the sense and spirit of the author. Amidst much quaintness of style and ruggedness of numbers, we meet with gleams of a rich expression and with a grasp of language, which, however extravagantly bold, bears the stamp of a genuine poet. Cooke had probably not seen this translation, or he must have avoided many of the errors into which he fell.
SPECIMENS OF CHAPMAN’S HESIOD.
WITH GLOSSARIAL AND CRITICAL EXPLANATIONS.
I.
Thus to him began
The Cloud-Assembler: Thou most crafty Man,
That ioy’st to steale my fire, deceiuing Me,
Shalte feele that Ioy the greater griefe to thee;
And therein plague thy vniuersall Race:
To whom Ile giue a pleasing ill, in place