OF THE NATURE OF THINGS, Translated into English VERSE; In Two VOLUMES. Explain'd and Illuftrated with NOTES and Being a compleat Syftem of the Epicurean Philofophy. MINERVA LONDINENSIS. LONDON: Printed by J. MATTHEWS for G. SAWBRIDGE, at the PREFACE. HE Poems of the Antients, tranflated into modern Languages, are justly compar'd to Flowers, of the Growth warmer Regions, tranfplanted thence into our colder Climates: They often die in the Raifing; but, if with Difficulty they are brought to bear, the Flowers they produce, wanting the indulgent Warmth of their native Sun, degenerate from their antient Stock; they impair in Livelines of Colour, and lofe their Fragrancy of Smell, or retain at best but a faint Odour. Verfe in like manner, when transplanted from the Language of one Countrey into that of another, participates of all the Defects of the Air and Soil: and when antient Wit comes to be taught and confin'd in modern Numbers, the noble Spirit, for want of the Warmth with which the Original was written, evaporates in Tranfufing, and often becomes little better than a dead and fenfeles Image. Hence we fee, that, tho' Compofing be indeed the nobler Part of Poetry, yet to tranflate well is fcarce a leß difficult Task. The Materials, Igrant, are found to the Tranflator's Hands; but then his Fanfy is bound up, and confin'd; for he must build according to bis Model: and tho' his Invention toil the leß, his Judgment must labour the more; otherwife he will never copy bis Qriginal, nor do Juftice to his Authour. B 212912 I will |