The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-03-20
A MUCH TRANSLATED ODE.


Voltaire said: I'm every land men
quote the lines from age to age"
Pope, Horace still charms with grace
full negligence" while Byron, deplor-
ing that the Roman poet had been
spoiled for him by schoolboy drudg-
cry, declared in "Childe Harold's Pill
grimage" that mo deeper moralist re-
hearsed our little life. nor bard pre-
scribed his art. nor liVelier satirist
the conscience pierced"
OF all his writings none has been
more attractive to the translator and
the adapter than the S8 ode, first book,
beginning lodi persicos," in which the
tuneful Sabine farmer gives instruc-
tons to his serving boy. Probably
the popularity Of this particular ode
has sprung from its extreme shortnsss,
characteristic which also makes 1t
possible to print together here six of
the numerous versions, three being
serious efforts at reproduction and
three carrying the spirit of their or
iginal. to a facetious excess. The diff
ferent treatments present an interest
ing contrast.
The Rev. DR.. Philip Francis, who
published an English addition Of Hor-
ace about 1743, of which Doctor John
son said, Francis has done it the
best; I'll take him, five out of six.
against them ALL" shall lead off:
1 tell thee, boy, that detest
The gradueur Of a Persian feast.
Nor for me the linden's rind
Shall the flowery chaplet bind.
Then, search not where the curious
rose
Beyond his season lettering grows.
But beneath the mantling vine.e
While l quaff the flowing wine.
The myrtle's wreath shall crown our
brows.
While you shall wait and 1 carouse.
William Cowper, who, quite In
laid no emphasis on the
end of the ode. has two
one rhymed and one un-
rhymed. The former reads:
Boy, hate their empty shows.
Persian garlands / detest:
Bring not me the late blown rose,
Lingering after all the rest.
Palmer myrtle pleases me,
Thus outstretched beneath my
vine;
Myrtle more becoming thee,
Waiting with thy masters wine.
A century later Stephen E. De We're,
brother of the better known Aubrey
De We're. put it this way:
I hate, my boy, that Persian state
Those gorgeous crowns with linden
bound;
Search not the haunts where lingering
late
The hidden rose may yet be found.
A simple myrtle f1llet Irvine
For me, for both; 1t suits us best,
AS, Swallowed by the matted vine, "A
quaff the ruby wine and rest.
Thomas Moore, who jokingly takes
credit to himself in a footnote for
literal closeness," alleges that his
was translated by treasury
clerk while waiting dinner for the
Right Honorable George Rose:
Boy, tell the cook that I hate ali
knickknackeries, W
vol-au-vents, puffs and
gimcrackerteS- .
Six by the Horse Guards: Old Georgy
is late. 1858
But come-lay the tablecloth-zounds.
do not wait. r--~...- ...
Nor stop to inquire. while the dinner
is staying,
At which of his places old Rose is de-
laying. IT.,
Thackeray's version is twice as long
as Moore's and possibly half as lit
eral:
Dear Lucy, you know what my wish
is
hate all your F'renchified fuss;
Your silly entrees and made dishes
Were never intended for us.
No footman in lace and in ruffies
Need dangle behind my armchair,
And never mind seeking for truffles,
Although they be ever so rare.
But a plain leg of mutton, my Lucy,
prithee get ready at three;
Have 1t smoked and tender and juicy,
And what better meat can there
be?
And when it has Toasted the master
Twas amply suffice for the maid,
Meanwhile / will smoke my CANISTER
And tipple my ale in the shade.
While Eugene Field is right UP to
the minute with the American equiv
alent for "vite bibentem":
Boy / detest the Persian pomp;
/ hate these linden bark devices;
And as for the roses, holy Moses,
They can't be got at living prices.
Myrtle is good enough for us