‘My dear Rogers,—Lord and
Lady Cowper will be—what shall I
say, since you like neither the word “delighted” nor any of its
synonyms?—they will feel just what you wish them to feel, neither more
nor less, on your appearance at Panshanger on Saturday next. In
| A GREEK EPIGRAM APPLIED | 391 |
‘We had here yesterday Lord and Lady Tankerville, Lords Lansdowne and Dudley, and William Ponsonby. Lord and Lady Gower came over to-day from their father’s lately purchased villa in the neighbourhood. And so on I conclude, with a fresh infusion daily from town at the dinner hour, some sleepers and some returners, after the manner of villas. I shall remain here till Friday, and on Saturday without fail go to Panshanger.
‘I thought I would finish my translation of the Greek epigram we talked of yesterday with reference to a certain gentleman. Here is the original, as well as I can recall what has not occurred to me since my boyhood. I wish you well through my Hellenic pothooks—
|
Μυν
Άρκληπιάδης
ό ϕιλάργνρος
ειδεν έν
οικω,
Και, “Τί
θέλεις αρʹ,
εϕη, ϕίλτατε
μυ, παρʹ
εμοί;”
Ήδυ δʹ μυς
γελάσς,
“Μηδεν, ϕίλε,
ϕησι,
ϕοβήθης,
Ουχι τροϕης
παρά σοι
χρήζομεν,
αλλα
μονης.”
|
‘The following is as close a fit as I can make of it in English—
‘Cries ——, in his closet once spying a mouse, “Pray what business have you, little friend, in my
house?” Says the mouse with a smile to the lover of hoarding, “Don’t be frightened, ‘tis lodging I look for,
not boarding.” |
‘Since that’s all, replies ——,
‘twould be hard to deny you, You may lodge how you can, but to board I defy you. |
| 392 | ROGERS AND HIS CONTEMPORARIES |
‘Perhaps you will write me a line to say if it is done and done between us for Saturday. In that case you may direct here.
‘Should you mention me in the house, pray offer my best compliments to Lord and Lady Grenville.
