A war ensues, the Cretans own their cause, 635 640 INTRODUCTORY NOTE. The first translated hymn, the “Veni, Creator Spiritus,” has been from the first in collections of Dryden's Poems: it was printed in Tonson's folio edition of 1701. The translations of the "Te Deum" and the " Hymn for St. John's Eve" were first published by Sir Walter Scott, who had no doubt of their authenticity. Scott received them from Captain MacDonogh of the Inverness militia: they had been the property of Mr. Charles Butler, who has mentioned them in his "Tour through Italy: on Mr. Butler's death they passed into the hands of Dr. Alban, from whom Captain MacDonogh acquired them. Scott, in publishing them, says: "I think most of my readers will join with me in opinion that both their beauties and their faults are such as ascertain their authenticity." Four small pieces ascribed to Dryden in the "State Poems" (vol. i. pp. 215 and 216, and vol. iii. p. 132), on Hyde, Earl of Rochester's dismissal from the Treasury in 1687, on King James II. after the Revolution of 1688, on the Duke of Buckingham, and on the Duchess of Portsmouth, are probably none of them his. A longer piece, called “Tarquin and Tullia,” in the third volume of the “ State Poems,” also ascribed to Dryden, is clearly not authentic; and the same may be said of “Suum Cuique." The two last-named poems are Satires on William and Mary and their Government. All these spurious pieces are printed in Scott's edition of Dryden's works, being treated by him as doubtful, if not spurious. They all appeared in a collection of Dryden's poems for the first time in the edition of the British Poets, for which Johnson made his celebrated Lives. VENI, CREATOR SPIRITUS. TRANSLATED IN PARAPHRASE. CREATOR Spirit, by whose aid To sanctify us, while we sing. Plenteous of grace, descend from high, Rich in thy sevenfold energy! Thou strength of his Almighty hand, Whose power does heaven and earth command. 5 ΤΟ 15 Refine and purge our earthy parts; 20 But, oh, inflame and fire our hearts! Make us eternal truths receive, Immortal honour, endless fame, Who for lost man's redemption died : Eternal Paraclete, to thee. * There is a pronunciation in Scotland of glebe as glibe, which may help to explain this rhyme of light and Paraclete. See rhyme of decrees with ratifies and relies in "The Hind and the Panther," part 2, line 82. TE DEUM. THEE, Sovereign God, our grateful accents praise ; And thrice returning echoes endless songs supply. Thou King of Glory, Christ, of the Most High Thou who, to save the world's impending doom, Then spare those souls for whom thy veins have bled. O take us up amongst thy blessed above, To share with them thy everlasting love. For ever raise their hearts, and rule their ways, Thy blessing on thine own inheritance. Each day we bless thee, and proclaim thy praise; Preserve our souls, O Lord, this day from ill; 40 Scott points out this line as peculiarly characteristic of Dryden. "Vocal blood" occurs in "The Hind and the Panther," part 1, line 15. |