And the stern brow, and the harsh voice defies,
And with superior greatness smiles.”
He has rendered literally but four words, and them I have italicised. Is it, therefore, a bad translation? No. It is good—though, with all due deference to thy shade, Oh! Joseph, I must think it a little diffuse—still, it is good, because it expresses the spirit and manner of the original in fine, forcible English. I give thee a literal translation—not that one better and as close might not be made—but to exemplify the difference between transfusing the spirit and the words of an author from one language into another.
The upright man, who to his purpose clings,
No rabble’s heat, commanding crooked things,
Nor urgent tyrant’s countenance can shake
In his firm mind——
Almost perfectly literal, and—sweet reader—how spirited! I might multiply my remarks, were I not loth to divide thine attention.
I give thee two or three things—such as an aching head and sleepy eyes made them.
By Lucillius, to Nicylla.