480 pages, Mr. Evans once thought of contracting several of the poems, by removing a great many tautologies, in which the author abounds,-owing, as he supposes, to a desire of inculcating a valuable sentiment, or important precept, so as to impress it more forcibly on the minds of his readers, and ensure its being retained in one form or other. He designed to have omitted some thoughts and expressions, evidently suited to the conception and taste of the lower classes only, "which," he observes, "would undoubtedly have added strength and beauty to the work, as the rays of the sun operate more powerfully when brought into a focus." This design he afterwards abandoned, lest it should have rendered his translation less acceptable and useful. However, on a careful examination of his work, the editor of the present volume felt the propriety of adopting such a plan, and thought he could express the sentiments of the Vicar in better verse. He has therefore endeavoured to meet the literary taste of the day, being convinced that such versification as was found sufficient to render the work useful fifty years since, cannot now ensure its acceptance, even among ordinary readers. To render the work as complete as possible, he has chosen an entirely new arrangement of the poems, according to the natural order of the different subjects, altered the titles of many of them, and sometimes united part of two poems, where the subject was the same. The Catechism he has wholly omitted, as being neither suited to his plan, nor deemed of sufficient importance to be retained. In thus reducing the whole to order, and adopting the ancient division of the work into four books, he has been enabled to insert those poems which relate to the doctrines of religion in the first book; those on practical piety in the second; moral subjects in the third; and miscellaneous pieces in the fourth. The verse he has endeavoured to improve, wherever it required alteration; so that the whole work has cost him as much time and pains, as if it had been entirely original; and he therefore hopes, that, in point of smoothness, correctness, and propriety, it will appear not unworthy of general approbation. Several notes have been added, by way of illustration, and with a view to render the work more valuable and instructive. If the reader be disposed to consult them as he goes along, they will not only afford the advantage of variety, but often lead to profitable reflection. The work, in its present state, may be regarded as an improvement of Mr. Evans's Version, intended not so much for the Welsh, to whom the poems are already known, as for the English, to whom they are, unknown. And notwithstanding the decided manner in which some critics have declared against making alterations in the works of old authors, it is hoped that the present case will be deemed an exception. It will at least be considered, that light from an expiring candle must be given by means of a new taper; that the original work cannot be at all injured by the present publication; but may, on the contrary, receive increased attention in the sphere it now occupies: and if, among a new class of readers, any portion of that good be effected, with which the poetry of Mr. Prichard has been honoured in Wales, the editor's object will be gained, and his prayers abundantly answered. HAVERFORDWEST, ERRATA. Preface, page xi; for divisions were, read, division was. Page 12, line 7; for od'rous myrrh, &c. read,---such perfumes as grace a royal feast. Page 104, line 20; for distill, read distil. Page 160, line 8; for anchor, read pilot. |