108. Scotch Translation of Homer. "Faust, leein' seer!-for ever croakin' ill, But ill ye ever speak, and ever do't," &c. These and other reproaches were no doubt embittered by the recollection of domestic calamity; for it was at the suggestion of this same Calchas that Agamemnon had sacrificed his daughter Iphegenia-He afterwards relates the fervour of his attachment towards his captive and her many powers of attraction, that his willingness to part with her to benefit his subjects might appear the more noble. 116. "Sic charms are her's wham I sae dearly lo'e, Their people's waes-feel sneller than their ain! This noble disinterestedness, however, does not prevent him from demanding a recompence for his loss, and Achilles, in no very courteous language, having exposed the meanness of his demand and the impossibility of complying with it, is answered by a threatening speech in which Agamemnon declares that he will take for himself the share of the spoil, which had been allotted to Achilles, or some other of the inferior chiefs. 148. Out spak the spankin son o' Peleus * then An' turn'd him glunshin to the king o' men † : Upo' my trowth! sic sause I never heard: Ye greedy kenna-what!-are ye no feard The Greeks hereafter 'll refuse to do 160. 170. 180. Scotch Translation of Homer. My craps might rot upo' the sunny brae An' get nae thanks for a' our bluid an' pain. An' now ye say ye'll tak awa the spoil "Gang gin ye like!" the king o' men replied, There's mony left tho' ye should rin awa, An' brag o' strength gien to-a' brutes, frae Jove,- I'll never prig to keep ye langer here.— Gae! scowl on them to wham your wrath brings fear: 'Nae gear we'll get whan your strong arm we tyne!' Hech Sirs! sic threats! Now list a wee till mine: Scotch Translation of Homer. Sin' Phoebus* wants Chryseis fair away, What awfu' skaith upon his head he brings, 187. That strives in council wi' the king o' kings."t Achilles is infuriated by these words, and the most tragical conse quences might have ensued, had not Minerva commissioned by Juno, most opportunely made her appearance. By her advice the son of Peleus is induced to relinquish his first determination of slaying Agamemnon on the spot. His anger, however, is by no means pacified, and after very severe invectives against that prince, he forms the resolution to which we have already alluded, and on the adherence to which, in a great measure, hinges the chief interest of the Poem. 259. 249. "Such is my vow-Peace towards Troy I've sworn, * Apollo. Agamemnon is frequently styled so by Homer. Love American Poetry. LOVE.. O Love! thou softest passion of the mind! Fantastic charmer! Shall we never know T. MR. EDITOR, AMERICAN POETRY. The following verses appeared originally in the Franklin Gazetteand latterly in the London Courier. I send you this copy in the belief that the insertion of them in your Poet's corner, will gratify a L. T. G. number of your readers. |