Jerusalem Delivered
In 1821 Wiffen issued "Proposals" for publishing by subscription a new translation of Tasso in Spenserian verse. As a specimen, the fourth book of "Jerusalem Delivered" was published in 1821, with a dissertation on existing translations. His next work in verse was a translation of "The Works of Garcilasso de la Vega", 1823, dedicated to the Duke of Bedford, with a life of Garcilaso de la Vega, and an essay on Spanish poetry. The publication of the completed version of "Jerusalem Delivered" was delayed by a fire in the printing office; it appeared in 1824, dedicated to the Duchess of Bedford, with a life of Tasso and a list of English crusaders, 2 vols. The "Quarterly Review" concluded that Wiffen, as a translator of Tasso, was ahead of John Hoole and James Leigh Hunt, but some way behind Edward Fairfax.