three Stories added. The present Edition has been revised carefully throughout, and adapted to the last Edition of the PUBLIC SCHOOL LATIN PRIMER. Very considerable additions have been made both to Notes and References, and I think it will be found that no difficulty for a young scholar has been passed over without help being given, either by explanation or suggestion. Now that verse-making is taking a less prominent place in most of our schools, I cannot think it wise to take Ovid's Elegiac Poems as reading-books for low forms. We have long been slaves to this habit, from the supposed necessity of having Elegiacs for repetition lessons; but Elegiac Poetry, from its metrical bonds, and consequent conciseness and antithesis, is too subtle to be appreciated so soon. The Metamorphoses are more free from these bonds, and are quite easy enough for young scholars, while in the interest of the story, and the poetical beauty of the descriptions, the same poet's hand is visible throughout. TAVISTOCK, October 1880. THE LOVERS OF BABYLON. (IV. 55-166.) (This is the second story in Chaucer's 'Legende of Goode Women.') 'PYRAMUS et Thisbe, iuvenum pulcherrimus alter, 106 (a) P. 140, II. (a) Tempore crevit amor: taedae quoque iure coissent: {138 Through wall's chink, poor souls, they are content 118 p.137, E Fissus erat tenui rima, quam duxerat olim Cum fieret paries domui communis utrique. Id vitium nulli per saecula longa notatum- Quid non sentit amor?-primi vidistis amantes, Et vocis fecistis iter; tutaeque per illud Murmure blanditiae minimo transire solebant. Saepe, ubi constiterant, hinc Thisbe, Pyramus illinc, Inque vices fuerat captatus anhelitus oris, "Invide" dicebant "paries, quid amantibus obstas ? Quantum erat, ut sineres toto nos corpore iungi, p. 101, I. 2 B Aut hoc si nimium, vel ad oscula danda pateres ! Quod datus est verbis ad amicas transitus aures.". 161, I. 3 Sub noctem dixere vale, partique dedere Oscula quisque suae non pervenientia contra. By moonshine did these lovers think no scorn Postera nocturnos Aurora removerat ignes, Ad solitum coiere locum; tum murmure parvo 30 Multa prius questi, statuunt, ut nocte silenti p. 161, II. 1(2) Quumque domo exierint, urbis quoque tecta relinquant : Conveniant ad busta Nini, lateantque sub umbra This grisly beast, which Lion hight by name Which Lion vile with bloody mouth did stain. Venit ecce recenti Caede leaena boum spumantes oblita rictus, 107 (d) 196 100 100 153 (2) |