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The Iliad of Homer - Get a Free Blog

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lopped into form to give it a more regular<br />

appearance.<br />

Having now spoken <strong>of</strong> the beauties and<br />

defects <strong>of</strong> the original, it remains to treat<br />

<strong>of</strong> the translation, with the same view to<br />

the chief characteristic. As far as that is<br />

seen in the main parts <strong>of</strong> the poem, such<br />

as the fable, manners, and sentiments, no<br />

translator can prejudice it but by wilful<br />

omissions or contractions. As it also<br />

breaks out in every particular image, description,<br />

and simile, whoever lessens or<br />

too much s<strong>of</strong>tens those, takes <strong>of</strong>f from<br />

this chief character. It is the first grand<br />

duty <strong>of</strong> an interpreter to give his author<br />

entire and unmaimed; and for the rest,<br />

the diction and versification only are his<br />

proper province, since these must be his<br />

own, but the others he is to take as he<br />

finds them.

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