Memoir of the Life of the Honorable William Blowers Bliss - Page 41

ally of the profession amongst whom he had faithfully labour" for so many years, whose respect, and affection he had so full retained. Time has amply justified the high encomium passed on him as a man and as a Judge—His works speak for themselves.

It now remains briefly to refer to another side of his life-his scholarly tastes, and attainments. Educated at King College he became a ripe, and excellent classical scholar. This may be seen everywhere in his reported decisions which are models of diction and apt language for conveying h meaning. He was a lover of the poets, and at one time d livered a series of lectures on the early English bards. imbued was he with classical lore, that he translated in English verse printed only for private circulation some of the most beautiful odes of Catullus, Horace, and Ovid. The translations he tells us in a short preface were principally made after his retirement to fill in his leisure time. I am permitted to give one or two extracts from this little volume which must fill us with admiration of his elegant taste and accurate classical scholarship.

The first is a translation from the Roman poet Catullus entitled "Sacrifices at a brother’s Tomb."

"Through many a land, o’er many a sea I come

To sacrifice, dear brother, at thy tomb.

With these last rites to drop the unheeded tear,

And call that name, thou canst no longer hear

But oh my brother since by fate’s decree

Alas too early thou was torn from me,

Accept this offering to thy honored shade

By custom sanctioned, by affection paid,

And while these frequent tears, my sorrows tell,

Take, dearest brother, this my last farewell."

 

In a different vein is this translation of a Nuptial Song c

Cätullus— -

To the new made bridegroom’s home

Bids its willing mistress come

 

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