But, however
defective their poetry may be in point of harmony of numbers, it
describes, in vivid and barbaric language, scenes of barbaric grandeur,
which in these days are never witnessed; and, which, though the modern
muse may imagine, she generally fails in attempting to pourtray, from the
violent desire to be smooth and tuneful, forgetting that smoothness and
tunefulness are nearly synonymous with tameness and unmeaningness.
I expect shortly to lay before the public a complete translation of the
KIAEMPE VISER, made by me some years ago; and of which, I hope, the
specimens here produced will not give an unfavourable idea.
It was originally my intention to publish, among the "Miscellaneous
Pieces," several translations from the Gaelic, formerly the language of
the western world; the noble tongue
"A labhair Padric' nninse Fail na Riogh.
'San faighe caomhsin Colum naomhta' n I."
Which Patrick spoke in Innisfail, to heathen chiefs of old
Which Columb, the mild prophet-saint, spoke in his island-hold--
but I have retained them, with one exception, till I possess a sufficient
quantity to form an entire volume.
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