Chevy Chase; A Poem-Idem Latine Redditum.* BEING of Sir Philip Sidney's opinion, that the ballad of Chevy Chase stirs the heart like the sound of a trumpet, and being moreover willing that other nations should have at least some idea of that magnificent poem, I have translated it into the universal language of Europe-Latin; and I send you my translation of the first fytte;-you will perceive that I have retained the measure and structure of the verse most religiously — I wish I could say that I have preserved also the fire and spirit of the original. Bold, at the desire of Bishop Compton, translated into Latin the more modern ballad of Chevy Chase as also did Anketeil, a Presbyterian Clergyman (I believe) in the north of Ireland. Lord Woodhouselee, in his excellent Essay on Translation, has quoted the first verse of Anketeil's translation apparently without knowing the author. But to say nothing of the inferiority of the poem they translated, I flatter myself that I out-top them by the head and broad shoulders, in the superior richness and melody of my double rhymes. Print this, then, by all means so no more from your servant at command.-0. P. First Fytte. THE Percy out of Northumberland,† And a vow to God made he, That he would hunt in the mountains. Pars Prima. 1. PERSEUS ex Northumbria Vovebat, Diis iratis, *This first fytte of "Chevy Chase," the earliest contribution of any moment by Maginn to Blackwood, appeared in the number for November, 1819. It was signed O. P.-which Mr. Blackwood subsequently extended into "Dr. Olinthus Petre, Trinity College, Dublin." It was under this signature that Maginn severely attacked the late Sir John Leslie, (Professor of Natural Philosophy in Edinburgh University,) accusing him, among other things, of abusing the Hebrew language without even knowing its alphabet! Leslie brought a libel-suit against Blackwood for this, and obtained-a farthing damages, which was, in fact, a defeat.-M. † I have modernized the spelling of the old ballad.— W. M. They were twenty hundred spearmen good. Bis mille procul dubio * Consult the Edinburgh Reviewer of Falconer's Strabo for this construction of scio quod-the "paltry" dog will remember something about it, as sure as my name is not Copplestone.-W. M. VOL. I.-9 23. "I wot ye be great lords two, I am a poor squire of land, I will never see my captain fight in a field And look on myself and stand ;* But while I may my weapon wield, I will not fail both heart and hand." 24. That day, that day, that dreadful day— 23. "Vos estis magni comites Sed corde, manu, enseque, 24. O dies! dies, dies trux! will hear more of the hunting of Si de venatu plura vis, Yet there is more behind. Plura narrare scimus. FINIS PARTIS PRIME. P. S.-I am aware that " Douglassius" is consecrated; but I am not without authority for Douglasus.-I have also translated this into Greek, and I send you the first verse as a specimen. Περσαῖος ἐκ Νορθάμβριας Εὔχετο τοῖς θεοῖσι, θηρῶν ἐν τρισὶν ἡμέραις Ἐν οὔρεσί Χεβιατοίσι, Κἂν ἀντέχῃσι Δίγλασος Σὺν πᾶσιν ἑτάροισι. "classic Hallam, much re Don't say a word of this, however, to Hallam nowned for Greek," as Lord Byron justly styles him-lest he should mistake my verses for Pindar's, and consequently declare them not Greek. Apropos, is it not a good joke to see Hallam putting a Greek motto to his book on the Middle Ages after all? I was thinking of translating old Chevy into Hebrew - for I am a Masorite; but as Professor Leslie has declared Hebrew to be a "rude and poor dialect," in his book on Arithmetic, I was afraid to come under the censure of that learned gentleman. To be sure he does not know (as I can prove from his writings) even the alphabet of the language he abuses, but still I am afraid he would freeze me if I had any thing to do with it. * In Bishop Percy-" And stand myself and look on.” periculo.-W. M. But correct it, meo |