Studia Islandica - 01.06.1957, Page 46

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some time in Copenhagen studying the Icelandic and the
Danish languages. At his expense the translation was pub-
lished in Copenhagen in 1828. Its full title is: Ens Enska
Skálds J. Miltons, PARADlSAR MISSIR. Á íslenzku
snúinn af Þjóðskáldi Islendinga, Jóni Þorlákssyni. Kaup-
mannahöfn, 1828.
Nor was Heath’s generosity left unappreciated by
members of the Icelandic Literature Society or the public
at large. On behalf of the former, Finnur Magnússon
(1781—1847) wrote a poem of thanks in Icelandic and
English.1) It is written in the alliterative measure used
by Þorláksson for the translation of Paradise Lost, and
as it is of considerable interest, a few quotations from it
are in order:
“From the World’s
Fair beginning
Many lays
Mankind delighted
Yet not I heard
An higher song
Than John Milton’s
Matchless tune.”
Devoting a stanza to “Blind Homerus, Bard of Hellas”
and to “Blind Ossian, Bard of Albion”, the writer goes on
to describe Milton and his grand theme, concluding:
“Grateful world
Gives him thanks
Loves his lay
And lets it sound
In all tongues
Of Europe
Even it is heard
In Iceland’s Thule.”
1) Minnis-ljóö um Jón Milton og Jón Þorláksson til Herra Jóns
Heatli, M. A., frá Islendingum, Kaupmannahöfn, 1829.