The Iliad

In the spring of 1862 some personal friends asked me to print, for private circulation only, a small volume of “Translations of Ancient and Modern Poems,” which was included in the first book of the Iliad. The opinions expressed by some competent judges about the degree of success with this were "an attempt to infuse something of the soul, as well as the simplicity of the great original", in an unpublished English version. Enough to encourage me to continue the work I have started. It has afforded me, in periods of more urgent work, a constant and ever-increasing source of interest; Not without a feeling of remorse at the completion of my task, and sincere shyness at its success, I dare to subject the result of my work to the ordeal of public criticism. The work itself, forbid me to expect any wide popularity of this translation. First, I am afraid that the appreciation and appreciation of classical literature is greatly declining; Then, those who have continued their classical studies, and are able to read and enjoy the original, will not be interested in mere translation; Whereas an English reader, unfamiliar with Greek, would naturally prefer the harmonious uniformity and polished intelligence of the Pope's translation; which, as a happy adaptation of Homer's story to the spirit of English poetry, I suppose I do not presume to enter into competition.