hen all these pamphlets have
had their day, then throw them into a volume under some such title as
this, "Specimens of the Ancient Poetry of different Nations." I have for
some time had a project of this kind, and, with a view to it, I am
exciting several of my friends to contribute their share. Such a work
might fill up two neat pocket volumes. Besides the Erse Poetry, the Rune
Poetry, and some Chinese Poetry, that was published last winter, at the
end of a book called "Han Kirn Choaan," or the Pleasing History, 4
vols.,--besides these, I have procured a MS. translation of the "Tagrai
Carmen," from the Arabic; and have set a friend to translate Solomon's
Song afresh from the Hebrew, with a view to the Poetry. This also is
printing off, and will soon be published in a shilling pamphlet. Then I
have myself gleaned up specimens of East Indian Poetry, Peruvian Poetry,
Lapland Poetry, Greenland Poetry; and inclosed I send you a specimen of
Saxon Poetry. The subject is a victory gained by the Anglo-Saxon,
Athelstan, over the Dane Anlafe and his confederate Constantius King of
Scotland. If you compare it with the Runic Ode of Regner Lodbrog, you
will see a remarkable affinity between them, some of the phrases and
imagery being common to both, as the play of arms, &c., &c. The Latin
version falls from the pen of my very learned friend Mr. Lye, who has
made many important emendations in the original. The English was a
slight attempt of my own, to see if one could not throw a little spirit
into a literal interlineary version, but I have no reason to boast of my
success. I believe the best way would be to publish the English by
itself, like the Runic Odes, and throw the two columns of Latin and Saxon
to the end. Give me your opinion of my proposal, with regard to the
various specimens mentioned above, and the share I would recommend to
yourself in particular. Be pleased also to return my Saxon Ode, when
perused, for I have kept no copy.

I suppose you have no British Poetry extant, that was written before the
conversion to Christianity, as we have of the Runic, and as they affect
to have of the Erse; if not, then the most ancient you have is to be
chosen. Could not you give some of the Poetry of Taliesin and Merddin?
I must observe one thing, that your Odes will require a few explanatory
Notes, chiefly with regard to the proper names; and, if you would not
think it too great an innovation, I could wish you would accom