Studia Islandica - 01.06.1957, Blaðsíða 8

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Þorláksson’s translations of Tullin’s poems (p. 24 in text) doubt-
less contributed to their popularity. Further, Professor Þorsteins-
son points out that in his selection of meter, fomyrSislag, for his
translation of Paradise Lost, Þorláksson most likely was influenced
by Benedikt Gröndal’s translation of The Temple of Fame, which
began appearing in the Publications of the Icelandic Literature
Society (Lærdómslistafélag) in 1790, the year before Þorláksson
commenced his translation (See text pp. 31—32). This may well
have been the case. It is less certain, however, to what extent
Þorláksson was, to begin with, familiar with the first edition of
Scemundar-Edda, which began appearing in 1787. (Cf. “Séra Jón
Þorláksson” by Jón Helgason, Frón, II, 1944).
Finally, though belatedly, I record my great indebtedness to
my old teacher, Professor Halldór Hermannsson of Cornell Uni-
versity, for numerous valuable suggestions and other assistance
in the preparation of the original dissertation.
The University of North Dakota, June 1957.
RICHARD BECK.