Another objection to the Lusiad, very generally ad duced, is the baldness and want of cies ation of the style This Mickle has strenuously denied, and insists, that an uniform simplicity and manly diction characterises the Portuguese epic. This question we ought to leave Por tuguese scholars to decide ; obsery ing, at the same time, that the translator's ornamental diction is not a proof of such a fault in the original. English poetry was in a high state of artificial efflorescence when Mickle wrote, and he might find or deem it impossible to arrest the public attention by a faithful adherence to the primitive simpli city of his author. Mickle has also addled considerably to the outlines of the very story of the poem. In so do ing. be has been generally commended by the best judges. This we think a more conclusive circumstance against Camocns. The colour of a poem may require heighten ing in passing from a simpler to a more refilled language, but the form and substance of a story we should suspect to be defective, which needs addition to make it interest ing in any transinission.
Paradoxical as it may seem, it has been said, perhap, with more truth of the Lusiad than of any other epic. that its defects prove its beauties, since the attractions of the poem have prevailed to render it popular in spite of those defects. The Lusiad with nictur-- of manners, from LI, - f the highest chivalry to those of the rudest. LI.ercest, and most simple barbarism. The -1,0.,..eers are strongly sketched ; the heroism of Gama and of his friend Monzaida (the Achates of the Lusiad.
are nobly contrasted w itn the base, selfish, and perfidious portraits of the Zamorim and the Moors. To the man ners of the piece, the novelty of fire-arms is als1 added ; and this artificial trait in the modern materials of a battle, is introduced w ith a most dignified and dexterous sim plicity. The island of Venus of Camoemis furnished to Tasso the prototype of his enchanted forest, as the gar den of Armida furnished our Spenser with his bower of bliss. In this part of his poem he is alike rich and ori ginal. The apparition which, in the night, hovers athwart the fleet near the Cape of Good Hope, is one of the grandest of poetical fictions, and the invention is com pletely his own. We subjoin the translation : "Rising through the darken'd air, Appall'd, we saw a hideous phantom glare ; High and enormous o'er the flood he towe•'d, And 'thwart our way with sullen aspect lower'd. An earthy paleness o'er his cheeks was spread ; Erect uprose his hairs of wither'd red. Writhing to speak, his sable lips disclose, Sharp and disjoin'd, his gnashing teeth's blue rows ; His haggard beard How'd quivering on the wind ; Revenge and horror in his mien combin'd.
His clouded brow, by withering lightnings scar'd, The inward anguish of his soul declar'd.
His red eyes glowing from their dusky caves, Shot livid fires :—far echoing o'er the waves His voice resounded ; as the caveru'd shore With hollow groan repeats the tempest's roar." 0))