Page 21 [21]
OCR
To the Reader. elamation in Engliſh, * that had it fallen zanto my Hands eer I entred on this Work, tke Perufal of 2 would have fearcely dijcourag at mefrom purfuing theUndertaking: For to hav adventured abroad a Second Edition of this antiquated Verſion, would doubtleſs haze beenz Interpreted as a Deſign rather of Exerciſing the Reader in the unpleaſant Task of laborioufly picking out the Meaning of obſolete Words and Expreffions, than of fairly leading him into the True and Genuine Sense of the Original ; although what is here aljerted might be eaſily made out beyond all Pojibility of Exception 5 yet the Learned- Author acquitted bimfèlf Jo very well herein, that he comes fully up, even to the moſt commendable Way of Wretzug, which obtain d in bis Lime. The Modern Tranflator (ro whom I intended the Rule,but now laid down,to be chiefly applied) reed himfelf fo ftrztily toa Literal OLfervance of the Latin, that to.a bare Englith Reader, unacquaënted with Allufions to the Eloquence of the Latin Tongue, bis Verfion. is fometimes puzzling and obſcure, at leaſt never fo finooth and voluble, as.the Gaiety of the Argument nvould better have difpeusd with ; whereas, éz thes Rehearfal of mine, I have (more I confeſs to my own Eafe, and more gratefully, I queftion not, to the Palate of others) allowed my Jeif Juch Elbow-room of Expreffion, às the Humourfomencfs of the Subject, and the Idiom of Language, did invite, tf not sn — * Done bySir Thomas Chaloner, and Printed at Lone don, 1549; in qto., Ca) command,
