[The translation of Ion, like that of The Banquet, was first given by Mrs. Shelley in the Essays &c. (1840); but, unlike the text of The Banquet, the text of Ion is not free from complications. Mrs. Shelley's remarks on this subject shew that she had to make good certain gaps in the translation as found among Shelley's papers; but her intention to indicate by means of brackets the portions not by Shelley was frustrated by what seems to be a printer's omission. Only two brackets appear in the printed texts of this dialogue; and these are both commencing brackets: the corresponding bracket, to shew where the interpolation ends, being in each case absent. Now I have in my possession a very careful transcript of this translation of Shelley's in the handwriting of the late Miss Claire Clairmont. Up to the point at which Mrs. Shelley's first bracket appears, or, strictly, up to the middle of the sentence preceding it, and within a few words of that point, the transcript and the printed text present no further variation than two transcribers of Shelley's rough MS. would be certain to produce by reason of alternative readings standing in the original. One word or phrase is often in Shelley's drafts placed above another without the rejected reading being struck through; and it is well known how large an option exists in making ready fair copies for the press from many of the poet's unfinished MSS. At the point where Mrs. Shelley indicates the beginning of the first gap, and for several pages, the transcript diverges so completely from the printed text, as to be clearly a different translation : then for half a dozen short speeches there is the same measure of correspondence as in the first portion; and then comes a gap in the version of the transcript and a note by Miss Clairmont that there is a gap. This gap is represented by four pages of printed text without any indication that it was supplied by Mrs. Shelley. This again is followed by a dozen short speeches extending to Mrs. Shelley's second mark of the beginning of a supplied passage-a dozen speeches shewing, when compared with the transcript, a high average of variation, as if taken from very rough and difficult notes, but unquestionably the work of the same hand. Mrs. Shelley's second hiatus would seem to be one of three pages and a half; for, from the bracket indicating where it begins, to the end of the dialogue, where I presume it to close, the printed text and the transcript differ wholly. These facts seem to indicate very clearly that Miss Clairmont's transcript, which is old-looking enough to have been written during Shelley's life-time, was made when the rough MS. was less confused and imperfect than when Mrs. Shelley performed her labour of love; and I have no doubt that the transcript is wholly from Shelley's notes. If, as I also feel sure, Mrs. Shelley's text of that part where there is a gap in the transcript was not meant to be included within one of the missing brackets, it results that we have the whole dialogue from Shelley's hand, and that the imperfections found in 1839 were the result of the same fortuitous circumstances which left the text of Shelley's other works a matter of gradual growth. To avoid risk of loss on either hand I have carefully collated the two sources of the following revised text, and noted all variations of consequence. Not knowing positively how far the passages added by Mrs. Shelley extend, I have inserted as footnotes the whole of the two long passages which vary in toto from the transcript by Miss Clairmont. Throughout this, there are reference figures in the text evidently referring to notes on this dialogue; but whether Shelley wrote such notes, or only meant to write them, I know not. Miss Clairmont has left a space for the six verses quoted from the twenty-third book of the Iliad,- --a space only just large enough for the original; and hence it may perhaps be fairly concluded that the extracts from Pope's translation, given in this and other cases in the printed editions, were inserted by Mrs. Shelley.-H. B. F.] ION, OR OF THE ILIAD; TRANSLATED FROM PLATO. PERSONS OF THE DIALOGUE, SOCRATES and ION. SOCRATES. HAIL to thee O Ion! from whence returnest thou amongst us now ?—from thine own native Ephesus'? ION. No, Socrates; I come from Epidaurus and the feasts in honour of Esculapius.2 SOCRATES. Had the Epidaurians" instituted a contest of rhapsody in honour of the God? 1 The transcript starts with an inauspicious but not unnatural clerical error, happily obvious, spheres for Ephesus. To avoid repetition, it is to be understood that all phrases printed in italics in foot-notes to this dialogue, without remark, are variations found in Miss Clairmont's transcript. 2 Epidaurus of the Esculapians. 3 Esculapians. ION. And not in rhapsodies alone; there were contests in every species of music. SOCRATES. And in which did you contend? And what was the success of your efforts? ION. I bore away the first prize at' the games O Socrates. SOCRATES. Well done! You have now only to consider how you shall win the Panathenæa. ION. That may also happen, God willing. SOCRATES. Your profession O Ion has often appeared to me an enviable one; for together with the nicest care of your person and the most studied elegance of dress, it imposes upon you the necessity of a familiar acquaintance with many and excellent poets, and especially with Homer, the most admirable of them all. Nor is it merely because you can repeat the verses of this great poet, that I envy you, but because you fathom his inmost thoughts; for he is no rhapsodist who does not understand the whole scope and 1 of. 2 persons. 3 thought. intention of the poet, and is not capable of interpreting it to his audience. This he cannot do without a full comprehension of the meaning of the author he undertakes to illustrate; and worthy indeed of envy are those who can fulfil these conditions! ION. Thou speakest truth O Socrates, and indeed, I have expended my study particularly on this part of my profession. I flatter myself that no man living' excels me in the interpretation of Homer; neither Metrodorus of Lampsacus, nor Stesimbrotus the Thasian, nor Glauco, nor any other rhapsodist of the present times can express so many various and beautiful thoughts upon Homer as I can. SOCRATES. I am persuaded of your eminent skill O Ion. You will not, I hope, refuse me a specimen of it. ION. And indeed it would be worth your while to hear me declaim upon Homer. I deserve a golden crown from his admirers." SOCRATES. And I will find leisure some day or other to request 1 and I flatter myself that no human being. 2 So in the printed text; but descendants in the transcript. Pro fessor Jowett renders ὥστε οἶμαι ὑπὸ Ομηριδῶν, κ.τ.λ., thus: “I think that the Homeridae should give me a golden crown," &c. you to favour me so far; at present I will only trouble you with one question. Do you excel in explaining Homer alone, or are you conscious of a similar power with regard to Hesiod and Archilochus ? ION. I possess this high degree of skill with regard to Homer alone, and I consider that sufficient. SOCRATES, Are there any subjects upon which Homer and Hesiod say the same things? Many, as it seems to me. ION. SOCRATES. Whether do you demonstrate these things better in Homer or Hesiod?1 ION. In the same manner, doubtless, inasmuch as they say the same words with regard to the same things. SOCRATES. But with regard to those things in which they differ. Homer and Hesiod both treat of divination, do they not? Whether do you illustrate these subjects better for Homer or in Hesiod? 2 3 respect. |