to those who seek for narratives in poetical composition. On the other hand, he has been staggered with regard to publishing the translation as a whole, except indeed a considerable part of it should be re-written, from the consciousness, that, in those parts of the performance where, from the dryness of the subject, it is most difficult to do well, his has been more than rivalled, nay, much outdone, by that of Mr. Orger, which a few years ago appeared in numbers, which, though compleated, never seems to have attracted the attention of which it was worthy.

It gives the Author pleasure to have so appropriate an opportunity of offering his humble commendation for commendation indeed is but a mite thrown into the scale of applause, when it comes from one whose name is so little known, and so utterly unestablished—to a fellow-labourer in a task, which, in the instance alluded to, was executed so much to the credit of him who undertook it.

THE DEATH OF HERCULES.

FROM THE NINTH BOOK OF THE METAMORPHOSES OF OVID.

BUT thou, oh Nessus, tempted to betray
Thy trust, most signally didst penance pay
For Dejanira's love, when the swift dart
Of her late trusting Lord transpierced thy heart.
For she, with Hercules, who sought once more
His Father's walls, came to Evenus' shore.
The eddying river, swelled by wintry rains,
Obstructs their progress, deluging the plains.
Here Nessus flatter'd them with specious words,
Nessus, strong-limb'd, acquainted with the fords;
And thus accosted Jove's intrepid son,

Who, fearless, trembled for his spouse alone.
"This woman, oh Alcides, on yon strand,
"By my assistance, shall securely stand.
"In swimming try thy strength." The friendly

prayer

Hercules heard, confiding: to his care

Deïanira, pale with terror, gave,

Who feared alike the Centaur, and the wave.
Meantime Alcides to the other side

His club and curved bow threw across the tide ;
And though the quiver's weight increased his toil,
And the Nemean lion's shaggy spoil,

"Since I begin," he cries,

"fixed fate decrees

"Evenus shall submit to Hercules."

Nor does he hesitate, nor seek its course Where flows the stream with mitigated force; But all its power he braves with might intense, Where boil its waves with added turbulence. Now had the Hero gained the further shore, And grasped the massy club and bow once more, When recognizing his wife's voice, he cried To Nessus, who had seized upon his bride, His trust betraying," What vain confidence "Of swiftness prompts thee to this violence? "Oh biform ravisher, thy prey resign, "Nor claims usurp to what alone is mine. "If I cannot persuade to what is just, "Ixion well might frighten lawless lust. "Yet though thou trustest to thy biform shape, "Thou shalt not with impunity escape.

"Swiftness shall not, but wounds shall overtake :"

And his exploit made good the words he spake.

His flying back he wounded with the dart,
The barbed hook projected from his heart.
The dart extracted, from each gaping sore,
Mixed with Lernæan poison, gushed the gore.
This Nessus caught." Nor unrevenged I
die,"

He muttered in a stern soliloquy.

He dips a vestment in the poisoned stream,
And thus resenting his abortive scheme,
Gave it the dame, and told her it would prove
A talisman of everlasting love.

The interval is long.-To every state Were known Alcides' fame, and Juno's hate. And now the hero from Echalia came, With conquest crowned, and blessed with brighter fame.

And altars to Cenœan Jove he raised,

Which on the Euböic promontory blazed;

When Fame, who loves to add false things to

true,

From sources small, make great events ensue,
Told Deianira, that Amphitryon's son,

To Love's soft joys by Iole was won.
Love's jealousy first realized her fears;
Alarmed at his inconstaney, in tears