The following Translations, Parodies, and Burlesque

Verses, most of them extempore, are taken from Anecdotes of Dr. Johnson, lately published by Mrs. Piozzi.

ANACREON, ODE IX.

LOVELY courier of the sky,
Whence and whither dost thou fly?
Scatt'ring, as thy pinions play,
Liquid fragrance all the way:
Is it business? is it love?
Tell me, tell me, gentle dove.

Soft Anacreon's vows I bear,
Vows to Myrtale the fair;
Grac'd with all that charms the heart,
Blushing nature, smiling art.
Venus, courted by an ode,
On the bard her dove bestow'd:
Vested with a master's right,
Now Anacreon rules my flight;
His the letters that you see,
Weighty charge, consign'd to me:
Think not yet my service hard,
Joyless task without reward;
Smiling at my måster's gates,
Freedom my return awaits ;
But the lib'ral grant in vain
Tempts me to be wild again.
Can a prudent dove decline
Blissful bondage such as mine?
Over hills and fields to roam,
Fortune's guest without a home;

Under leaves to hide one's head,
Slightly shelter'd, coarsely fed:
Now my better lot bestows
Sweet repast, and soft repose;
Now the gen'rous bowl I sip
As it leaves Anacreon's lip:
Void of care, and free from dread,
From his fingers snatch his bread;
Then, with luscious plenty gay,
Round his chamber dance and play;
Or from wine, as courage springs,
O'er his face extend my wings;
And when feast and frolic tire,
Drop asleep upon his lyre.
This is all, be quick and go,
More than all thou canst not know;
Let me now my pinions ply,
I have chatter'd like a pyé.

LINES

WRITTEN IN RIDICULE OF CERTAIN POEMS PUBLISHED

IN 1777.

WHERESOE'ER I turn my view,
All is strange, yet nothing new;
Endless labour all along,
Endless labour to be wrong;
Phrase that time hath flung away,
Uncouth words in disarray,
Trick'd in antique ruff and bonnet,
Ode, and elegy, and sonnet.

PARODY OF A TRANSLATION

FROM THE MEDEA OF EURIPIDES.

Err shall they not, who resolute explore

Times gloomy backward with judicious eyes ; And, scanning right the practices of yore,

Shall deem our hoar progenitors unwise. They to the dome where Smoke with curling play

Announc'd the dinner to the regions round, Summon’d the singer blithe, and harper gay,

And aided wine with dulcet-streaming sound. The better use of notes, or sweet or shrill,

By quiv'ring string or modulated wind; Trumpet or lyre-to their harsh bosoms chill

Admission ne'er had sought, or could not find. Oh! send them to the sullen mansions dun,

Her baleful eyes where Sorrow rolls around; Where gloom-enamour'd Mischief loves to dwell, And Murder, all blood-bolter'd, schemes the

wound.

When cates luxuriant pile the spacious dish,

And purple nectar glads the festive hour; The guest, without a want, without a wish,

Can yield no room to musick's soothing pow'r.

VOL. I.

M

TRANSLATION

OF THE TWO FIRST STANZAS OF THE SONG RIO VERDE,

RIO VERDE," PRINTED IN BISHOP PERCY'S RELIQUES OF ANCIENT ENGLISH POETRY. AN IMPROMPTU.

Glassy water, glassy water,

Down whose current, clear and strong,
Chiefs confus'd in mutual slaughter,

Moor and Christian, roll along.

IMITATION OF THE STYLE OF ****.

HERMIT hoar, in solemn cell

Wearing out life's evening grey,
Strike thy bosom, sage, and tell

What is bliss, and which the way.

Thus I spoke, and speaking sigh’d,

Scarce repress’d the starting tear,
When the hoary sage reply'd,

Come, my lad, and drink some beer.

BURLESQUE

OF THE FOLLOWING LINES OF LOPEZ DE VEGA.

AN IMPROMPTU.
SE acquien los leones vence

Vence una muger hermosa
O el de flaco averguençe

O ella di ser mas furiosa.

If the man who turnips cries,
Cry not when his father dies,
'Tis a proof that he had rather
Have a turnip than his father.

TRANSLATION

OF THE FOLLOWING LINES AT THE END OF BARETTI'S EASY

PHRASEOLOGY.

AN IMPROMPTU.

Viva viva la padrona !
Tutta bella, e tutta buona,
La padrona è un angiolella
Tutta buona e tutta bella ;
Tutta bella e tutta buona;
Viva! viva la padrona !

Long may live my lovely Hetty!
Always young and always pretty;
Always pretty, always young,
Live my lovely Hetty long !
Always young, and always pretty,
Long may live my lovely Hetty!