mence of the passions: a design at once so agreeable to the peculiar character of Orpheus, and so expressive of the influence of music. In the Latin poet, Orpheus sings upon no occasion, and to no end, unless it be to that general one of entertainment, and of making the night pass more pleasantly, Thracius hic noctem dulci testudine vates Milton in the following verses alludes both to Apollonius and Onomacritus, in their respective songs of Orpheus. Tunc de more sedens festa ad convivia vates 16 Silvestres decet iste choros, non Orphea, cantus; Silius Italicus alludes to the contest of Chiron with Orpheus, as related by Onomacritus. In describing the miraculous force of the music of Orpheus, he has plainly translated from the Greek poet; particularly in this circumstance. Οιωνοί τ' εκυκλονό βοαύλια Κενταυροιο Avesque circumdederunt stabula Centauri, The verses of Silius Italicus are these. Immemor et dulcis nidi, positoque volatu, Ad Patrem. v. 44. † 436. The Latin poet has, however, omitted to describe the manner in which Chiron was affected, at seeing the wonderful effect of Orpheus's music on the trees, mountains, rivers, beasts, &c. His astonishment on that occasion is thus characteristically and beautifully painted by Onomacritus. Αυταρ ορων Κενταυρος εθαμβες, χειρ επι καρπω Sed videns hæc, Centaurus obstupuit; manum super volam Valde feriens, terramque pulsavit unguibus. I fear I have digressed too far already. But an imitation of Milton from his favourite Apollonius having been produced in this remark, I hope I shall be pardoned for taking so fair an opportunity of introducing another. Milton thus describes Adam's hair, * Apfov. 438. Hyacinthine locks Round from his parted forelock manly hung The circumstance of the hair hanging like bunches of grapes has been justly admired: but it is literally translated from this description of Apollo's hair in Apollonius. Κρυσεοι δε παρειαων ἑκαλεσθε Aurei ab utraque gena Cincinni racemantes assultabant eunti. The word Bolgυoevles could hardly have been rendered into English by any other word than clustring. But it must not be omitted here, that we find the same metaphor in a little poem on the statue of Homer, in the Anthologia. Par. L. b. 4. v. 301. † Agyov. 1. 2. v. 678. Αυχενι μεν κυπλίοντι λέρων επέσυρείο ΒΟΤΡΥΣ Cervice quidem inclinata senex [canus] trahebatur racemus Comæ, in tergum delatus. B. vii. c. vi. s. iii. Spenser here makes Hecate the daughter of the Titans. Authors differ about the parentage of Hecate. her, Ταρταροπις Εκαλη . Tartari filia Hecate. Onomacritus calls The Titans were indeed thrown into Tartarus; but it could not be concluded from * Henr. Steph. fol. 1566 Bit. Teμшl. pag. 394. Els 'OMHPON. Carm. 16. † AgЛov. v. 975. |