ancient of bards, but I found I had already swelled my work to a formidable bulk; and I was somewhat apprehensive, that I might have already surfeited the reader, with mythology and fable. It may be necessary, in this age of pompous publication, and typographical luxury and parade, I will not call it elegance, to apologize to the public, for the humble and contracted form, in which I presume to lay my work before it. Certainly, I have to rest my claim to its attention, merely on the matter, which these volumes comprize, without resorting to the adventitious merit, of presenting the admirers of fine printing, with a handsome library book. The reader may be assured, this proceeds neither from a confidence in myself; nor from a disregard of that tribunal, which it is the interest, and the duty, of every author to conciliate, if it is possible. But, simply from the circumstance, of my being obliged to publish these volumes, at my own risque, and finding it expedient, on that account, to consult eco. nomy in my publication. I should gladly have subjoined a copious index to this work, which should refer the reader, to every thing contained not only in Apollonius Rhodius himself, but also in the Notes and Dissertations. I am very sensible, of of the utility and value of indexes. I found, however, that my work had already outgrown the bounds, and measure, I had originally prescribed to it; that it had swelled to a formidable size; and, that if I were to add an index, I must launch out into a fourth volume.—I must throw myself on the indulgence of the reader, and intreat him to excuse this omission, together with many other defects, which he will, no doubt, find in the execution of the present laborious undertaking. I now commit myself to the candour and indulgence of the reader; with an humble hope, that he will consider the length of the poem, which I have attempted to translate; the difficulty, of making an ancient author read well, and naturally, in a modern version; and the variety of subjects, which I have presumed to treat, in the course of the work which I offer to him; and, that if I have in any degree, or in any part succeeded; if he any where finds. either entertainment or information, although he may often be disappointed of both, that the partial success of the author will induce him to overlook a multitude of failures. ERRATA IN THE FIRST VOLUME. Page x, line 12, for founders read founder. TRANSLATION. BOOK I. Page 15, line 399, for th' other read other. BOOK II. Page 78, line 472, for warring read warning. Page 85, line 703, for Arssteus read Aristaus. BOOK III. Page 133, line 473, for oars read sails. Page 153, iine 1193, for Persephons read Persephone. BOOK IV. Page 191, line 383, for they read then. 1 |