 | Letters, by several eminent persons deceased (1772) |  |
SONGS .
I.
Of mortal race thou can'st not be;
Thy purple cheek outshines the rose;
And thy bright eye is brighter far
Than any planet, any star.
Thy sordid way of life despise,
Above thy slavery, Sylvia, rise;
Display thy beauteous form and mien.
And grow a goddess, or a queen.
II.
1
Constantia, see, thy faithful slaveDies of the wound thy beauty gave!
Ah! gentle nymph, no longer try
From fond pursuing love to fly.
2
Thy pity to my love impart,Pity my bleeding aching heart,
And with a smile remove my fears.
3
A wedded wife if thou would'st be,By sacred Hymen join'd to me,
Ere yet the western sun decline,
My hand and heart shall both be thine.
III.
For thee a servant's form I wear;
Though blest with wealth, and nobly born,
For thee, both wealth and birth I scorn:
Trust me, fair maid, my constant flame
For ever will remain the same;
My love, that ne'er will cease, my love
Shall equal to thy beauty prove.
In the year 1709, Mr. Hughes was concerned in a periodical work, entitled “The monthly amusement,” printed for Midwinter and Lintot. His translation of Moliere's “Misantrope” [see p. 44] was the second number, May 1709. “The fair-maid “of the inn” was translated by him, from Cervantes, for the same purpose, but not printed. These songs were inserted in it. They are “original,” but so artfully drawn up, as to give occasion for the same critical remarks that Cervantes makes on his “own” songs. Many years after, Mr. Jabez Hughes translated the same “novel,” probably without having seen or heard of his brother's translation. The songs are there closely traced from Cervantes, which was a work of some difficulty. It is inserted among “The select collection of novels and histories,” printed for Watts, 1729, vol. ii, p. 173.
| Letters, by several eminent persons deceased (1772) | |