The " Argonautic a " of Apollonius lik,odius. Translated into
English Prose by Edward P. Coleridge. (Bell and Sons.)—From the literary point of view, Mr. Coleridge's translation is satis- factory. The style is dignified, the rhythm of the sentences melodious. In respect of accuracy it leaves something to be desired. In ii., 817-52 (the " Death and Burial of Idmon "), we have ego:cool wirranolo translated by " springs of the river." This in English can only mean the " sources" of the river, a quite im- possible rendering in this place, as the incident took place near the coast. Apollonius's phrase is a characteristic adaptation of the Homeric Opierruol greafogo, " ground rising from the plain," and must mean here " ground rising from the river." In the next line but one, 04a pia' is omitted. In 847, irrnXeyiais is translated "clearly," whereas it means "boldly," "without fear of con- sequences." In 848-9, Bouvroira Neso-dow•tre is rendered "the Bwotians of NiStea." It should be " Bceotians and Nismans (or Megarians)." Heraclea, the place in question, was a joint colony of Boeotian and Megarians. Here is a specimen of Mr. Coleridge's English :— " Much she brooded in her heart, even all the cares that love doth urge. For before her eyes everything yet seemed to be, her lover's very form, the raiment that he wore, the words he said, the way he sat upon his seat, and how he went unto the door ; and, as she thought thereon, she dreamed there never was such another man ; and ever in her ears his voice was ringing and the sweet words he spake. And she feared for him, that the oxen or haply /Eetes with his own hands might slay him; and she mourned for him as though he were already slain outright, and the tears ran softly down her cheeks in her affliction from her exceeding pity ; and, softly weeping, she uttered her voice aloud."
Mupoldre xeyion can hardly mean " softly weeping." The English is good enough to repay the trouble of a careful correction throughout.
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