with great beauty and pathos; and the whole story forms one of the most affecting and poetical incidents in the Shahnameh. I wish it were in my power to gratify the reader with a translation of it, but I want both time and abilities for the task. I shall, however, venture to present him with the version of a few lines, which Ferdusi puts into the mouth of Sohrab, immediately after he had received the fatal wound, describing the mode in which the two heroes discovered each other; the passage (in the original at least) is neither deficient in merit nor interest. To find a father only known by name, Wretch that I am, I sought the field of fame. Yet, hero! deem not unreveng'd I bleed, No! couldst thou quit this earth, and viewless trace, My sire, pursuing, shall revenge my death. "What sire ?" the victor cries; with fault'ring breath, 66 My spotless mother, nam'd me Rustum's heir." The plan of the proposed Tragedy, appears to have been frequently revised and corrected; the business of each act is detailed, but after all, it is too imperfect for publication. From the introduction of a chorus of Persian Sages or Magi, it may be inferred, that Sir William Jones proposed writing it, after the model of the Greek tragedy, and he certainly intended to observe a strict ad herence to the costume of the age and country, in which the events of his Tragedy were supposed to have occurred. The following Epode, is the only part of the composition sufficiently complete for the reader's perusal. E PODE. What pow'r, beyond all pow'rs elate, "Tis not nature, 'tis not fate, But provident of endless good, By ways nor seen, nor understood, Which e'en his angels vainly might explore. High, their highest thoughts above, Truth, wisdom, justice, mercy, love, Wrought in his heav'nly essence, blaze and soar. Mortals, who his glory seek, Rapt in contemplation meek, Him fear, him trust, him venerate, him adore. I annex a fac-simile of the writing of Sir William Jones, and I close the volume with some lines on his death, written by her Grace the Duchess of Devonshire, and inserted at the particular request of Lady Jones. On Father and God of mercy, give me Wisdom, the assistant of thy give and her from my holy heavens, from the seat of thy greatness ; & the may be present with that labour with, ne and тер and teach teach me is acceptable to Thee: On the Death of Sir WILLIAM JONES. Teignmouth, 1795. Unbounded learning, thoughts by genius fram'd, To guide the bounteous labours of his pen, Distinguish'd him, whom kindred sages nam'd, "The most enlighten'd of the sons of men"." Upright through life, as in his death resign'd, His friends rever'd him, and his country bless'd. Admir'd and valued in a distant land, Regret and praise the general voice bestows, And public sorrows with domestic blend; But deeper yet must be the grief of those, Who, while the sage they honour'd, lov'd the friend. * Dr. Johnson. FINIS. |