Читать книгу Geofroy Tory. Painter and engraver; first royal printer; reformer of orthography and typography under François I онлайн

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He who'll cure this pain of mine is certain of succeeding

In giving Tantalus the fruit that cheats his eager palm.

Yea, he the piercèd pails may fill, and heavy burden lighten,

The slender Danaïds endure, with ceaseless toil opprest;

From the bleak cliff of Caucasus unchain the fettered Titan,

And scare away the bird of prey that tears his mangled breast.[178]

I naturally said to myself on the spot: If I were Machaon, or Chyron, or Æsculapius, I should be glad to remedy this matter. But what if I were to make such slight effort as I can? Might I not be able to be of service? Perhaps; at least, I should have tried, and I should have had this object in view: to make him somewhat more free from faults.

And if my powers of song should fail—to dare were surely fame:

Enough that I have had the will; no higher praise I claim.

Proper. ii, ad Musam (ad Augustum?).

I have accordingly added a very few annotations; provided with which, under the protection of your name (for you are a devoted admirer of letters and lettered men), under, as the saying is, favourable auspices, let Pomponius Mela now go forth in greater security than before. Farewell.