[a] This translation has been severely criticised by Dr. Warton, in his edition of Pope, vol. i. p. 105, 8vo. 1797. It certainly contains some expressions that are not classical. Let it be remembered, however, that it was a college exercise, performed with great rapidity, and was, at first, praised, beyond all suspicion of defect--This translation was first published in a Miscellany of Poems by several hands. Published by J. Husbands, A.M. fellow of Pembroke college, Oxon. 8vo. Oxford, 1731. Of Johnson's production, Mr. Husbands says, in his preface, "The translation of Mr. Pope's Messiah was delivered to his tutor as a college exercise, by Mr. Johnson, a commoner of Pembroke college in Oxford, and 'tis hoped will be no discredit to the excellent original." Mr. Husbands died in the following year. [Jan. 20, 21, 1773.] Vitae qui varias vices Rerum perpetuus temperat arbiter, Laeto cedere lumini Noctis tristitiam qui gelidae jubet, Acri sanguine turgidos, Obductosque oculos nubibus humidis Sanari voluit meos; Et me, cuncta beaus cui nocuit dies, Luci reddidit et mihi. Qua te laude, Deus, qua prece prosequar? Sacri discipulis libri Te semper studiis utilibus colam: Grates, summe pater, tuis Recte qui fruitur muneribus, dedit. [Dec. 25, 1779.] Nunc dies Christo memoranda nato Fulsit, in pectus mihi fonte purum Gaudium sacro fluat, et benigni Gratia coeli! Christe, da tutam trepido quietem, Christe, spem praesta stabilem timenti; Da fidem certam, precibusque fidis Annue, Christe. [In lecto, die passionis, Apr. 13, 1781.] Summe Deus, qui semper amas quodcunque creasti; Judice quo, scelerum est poenituisse salus: Da veteres noxas animo sic flere novato, Per Christum ut veniam sit reperire mihi. [In lecto, Dec. 25, 1782.] Spe non inani confugis, Peccator, ad latus meum; Quod poscis, hand unquam tibi Negabitur solatium. (Nocte, inter 16 et 17 Junii, 1783[a]) Summe pater, quodcunque tuum[b] de corpore Numen[c] Hoc statuat[d], precibus[e] Christus adesse velit: Ingenio parcas, nee sit mihi culpa rogasse[f], Qua solum potero parte, placere[g] tibi. [a] The night, above referred to by Dr. Johnson, was that, in which a paralytic stroke had deprived him of his voice; and, in the anxiety he felt, lest it should, likewise, have impaired his understanding, he composed the above lines, and said, concerning them, that he knew, at the time, that they were not good, but then, that he deemed his discerning this to be sufficient for quieting the anxiety before mentioned, as it showed him, that his power of judging was not diminished. [b] Al. tuae. [c] Al. leges. [d] Al. statuant. [e] Al. votis. [f] Al. precari. [g] Al. litare.