Lusus Intercisi. By Henry John Hodgson, M.A. (Bell and Son.)
—A. volume of Greek and Latin verse from the pen of so accomplished a scholar as Mr. Hodgson is sure to find, at least, some appreciative readers. One distinctive feature of this collection is the original verse, a kind of, composition too much neglected by scholars of the present day. Translations can never reach the first rank in style,. and, useful as they are, should not be suffered to have the monopoly which, in direct contrast to the practice of the last century, they now enjoy, in many, at least, of our homes of classical scholarship. Here' is a happy epigram on the mitrailleuse (1871) :—
" Tormentone novo patriam tutabere, Cwaar. Fulmineo centum quod vomit ore globes ? At virtuee opus est, opus est et milite fido ; Non limo clausisset machine Thermopylas."
As a specimen of translation, we give the epitaph on Sir John Franklin :—
"Non hie, Banta, jaceg, praeolare ; hut ossa nivalis Arotos babet rigid* contumulata gelu ; Tuque magic faustis, anima a fortissimo., velis Non jam terreatrem pergis adire polum."
Our readers may compare this with the versions collected by Mr.. Wright, and will probably think it better than most, but surpassed by some, as, for instance, by the following (one of the five versions contributed by Dr. Butler, of Harrow) :-
" Non hic, magne, laces: Boreas habet ossa Anse polum titulis adders, nauta, tubs.
Carpe serenus iter ; nuno to polus attrahit alter ; Et freta terrenao non adeunda rati."
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