Studia Islandica - 01.06.1957, Blaðsíða 39

37
quires a thorough knowledge of both his life and works.
It is in this light that Þorláksson’s translation should be
judged. We must not forget that it contains many pas-
sages well rendered, and everything considered, some
excellent ones, cf. Epistle I, 91—94, 177—180, 262—272,
Epistle n, 19—26, Epistle III, 27—42, Epistle IV, 5—62.
Considering the value of the translation as poetry,
much can truly be said in its favour. It flows with ease,
and is at times very eloquent, showing the translator’s
mastery over the language and his facility in versifica-
tion. It is far from being devoid of poetic flight and ima-
gination, demonstrating the fact that the translator pos-
sessed these qualities. In short, while the translation is
not as “Popean” as one might wish, it is, nevertheless,
“a pretty poem”, as Bentley said of Pope’s own transla-
tion of Homer, which the former did not find Homeric
enough.1)
IV. The Transiation of PAIÍADISE LOST.
Icelandic literature owes a great debt to the vision and
literary interest of Halldór Hjálmarsson.2) Through him,
Jón Þorláksson became interested in Milton and under-
took the translation of Paradise Lost. Very likely Go-
vernor Stefán Þórarinsson, previously referred to in con-
nection with the translation of the Essay on Man, also
encouraged the poet to enter upon this later literary
venture. At any rate, Þorláksson sent to his faithful
friend, Governor Þórarinsson, the translation of Para-
dise Lost, or at least a part of it, along with a poem of
1) Cf. Leslie Stephen, Alexander Pope, p. 64.
2) He was “conrektor” at the Hólar Cathedral School, 1773-’84,
and held the position of rector the four following years. He died
in 1805. (Cf. J. Þorláksson, Dánarminning, p. 55). A life-long friend
of Þorláksson’s, Hjálmarsson “was in every respect an excellent
man, very learned, and, in a quiet way, one of the most useful Ice-
landic scholars of his day.” (Op. cit., p. 18).