Poetry. 189 



been already mentioned. The celebrated Italian 

 epic poem Gierusalemme Liberata, by Tasso, has 

 also been elegantly translated into English, during 

 this period, by Mr. Hoole. The three first books 

 had been previously presented in an English dress 

 by Mr. Brooke, on whose work Mr. Hoole passes 

 the most liberal encomiums. To give a version 

 of the whole was reserved for the latter gentle- 

 man, who executed the task with very honour- 

 able success. Shortly afterwards the Lusiad of 

 Camoens, on which the Portuguese rest their claim 

 to epic honours, was translated into English by 

 Mr. Mickle, which, in spirit and elegance, is 

 considered by some respectable critics, as rivalling 

 the first productions of the kind in our language. 



The Iliad was translated, for the first time, and 

 with considerable ability, into the Spanish lan- 

 guage, about thirteen years ago, by Don Garcia 

 Malo. The same monument of Grecian genius 

 was also translated, not long since, with high re- 

 putation, into the German language, by Voss, a 

 distinguished poet of that country; and into Italian 

 by the Abbe Cjesarotti. These several works 

 are said to be considered, by their respective coun- 

 trymen, as productions of the first class. To these 

 may be added the translation of the Iliad, into 

 English blank verse, by Mr. Cowper, which, 

 though a more faithful version than the work of 

 Mr. Pope, falls short of it, with respect to merit 

 as a poem. The JEneid has also been trans- 

 lated into German by Voss, before mentioned; 

 into Italian by M. C. Bendi; and into English 

 by Mr. C. Pitt. The work of the last named 

 poet, though inferior to Dryden's translation 

 in vigour and sprightliness, yet excels it in uni-, 

 formity, correctness, and splendour of versification. 

 Lucan's Pharsalia, as translated into English by 

 Rowe, is pronounced by an eminent critic to be 



