"12. Homers Iliads and Odisses, translated. . . .by John Ogelsby [Licensed to Master Thom. Tycroft, April 18, 1656.]
Reprinted: [Iliad only] 1660; [Odyssey only] 1665; 2 vol. 1669."
(Foster, p. 64).
I do not know of any editions of Ogilby's Iliad and Odyssey earlier than those of 1660 and 1665, although Dr. Foster calls them reprints. 1660.—"The First Booke of Homer's Iliads. Translated by Thomas Grantham, M. A. of Peter-House in Cambridge. . . .London, 1660."
The first book is translated into heroic couplets. The writer does part of the second book, but the catalogue of the ships is too much for him, and he explains: "I see no reason why I should afflict my Brain any further in translating a Buttery-Book, which will be irksome to the Reader; therefore I will acquiesce for the second Book, and go on to the third, by the help of my Almighty God, to whom be glory for ever." There follows the translation of the third book, which however shows no internal evidence of divine aid.
1726.—"The Iliad in a Nutshell: or Homer's Battle of the Frogs and Mice. [Translated in verse, and illustrated with notes by S. Wesley.]. . . .London, 1726. 8o"
"25. Iliad, Book I. H. Fitz-Cotton. 1749. 8o," (Foster, p.66).
This is a travesty, and should not be included.
1755.—"An Essay towards a translation of Homer's Works. In blank verse. With notes, by J. N. Scott . . . . . London, 1755. 4o."
Dr. Foster may have omitted this because it consists of translations of excerpts, but there are so many of these that it seems worth mentioning.
"30. Hymn to Venus. [Translated by W. Congreve] [In Johnson's English Poets]. 1779-81." (Foster, p.67).
In a chronological table this surely ought to appear under its original date, 1710 (Works, Tonson).
1781.—"Homer's Hymn to Ceres, translated in English verse, by R. Hole. . . .Exeter, 1781."
Hole is named by Dr. Foster (p.65), but only as one of a number of translators in an American reprint of 1872.
"36. Homer's Works in English. 12 vol., 1805-06. 8o." (Foster, p. 67).
This is one of a good many items for which the bibliographer does not supply enough details for identification.
1810.—"The Frog-and-Mouse-Fight, translated from the Greek by Edward, Lord Thurlow . . . [1810?] .4o. Forming pp. 28-50 of some larger work apparently written by the second Lord Thurlow."[1]
- ↑ Quoted from the Brit. Mus. Cat. My titles are taken almost wholly from the titlepages of books in the Brit. Mus., or from the Museum Catalogue.
