John Ogilby

John Ogilby (17 November 1600 – 4 September 1676) was a Scottish translator, impresario and cartographer.

Virgil's Bucolicks

 * Eclogue I
 * The hope of my poor Flock.


 * Great things to compare with Small.


 * Britany, from all the World disjoyn'd.


 * Eclogue II


 * Sweet Youth, in Colour no such trust repose.


 * Thus every one pursue their own delights.


 * Eclogue III
 * Now fields are green, and trees bear silver buds.


 * Ambush'd in grass, a deadly Serpent lyes.


 * Eclogue IV


 * Begin, sweet Babe, with smiles thy Mother know.


 * Eclogue V

More than soft slumber laid in quiet ease.
 * O Divine Poet, me thy Verses please


 * Eclogue VII

Both match'd to sing, to answer both prepar'd.
 * Arcadians both, in youth both flourishing,


 * Eclogue VIII


 * Now know I what Love is.


 * The Gods most pleasure in od numbers take.


 * Eclogue IX


 * But them I'm not so foolish to believe.


 * Age all things wasts.


 * Singing let's go, the way shall better please.

Here Groves where I could spend my Age with thee.
 * Eclogue X
 * Here sweet Meads, cool Fountains be,


 * Love Conquers all, let us submit to Love.

Virgil's Georgicks

 * Book I
 * Whence Men, a hard Race, sprung.


 * Pray for wet Summers, Winters wanting Rain.



Up to their height.
 * Various Arts by study might be wrought

And urgent Want strange Projects undertakes.
 * Then Arts began; fierce toyl through all things breaks,

So hastens to grow worse, and backward goes; As one against a stream his Vessel rowes, Who if by chance his arm a little slack, The Boat in the swift Chanel hurries back.
 * Each thing by Destiny


 * First the Gods adore.


 * Book II


 * Bacchus loves the Sunny hills.


 * Such strength hath Custome in each tender Soul.



And unrenown'd, haunt Rivers, Hills and Woods.
 * I'le delight in Vales, near pleasant Floods,


 * Happy is he that hidden causes knowes.

Shall make my Name through all the World renown'd.
 * Book III
 * Yet I a way to raise my self have found,


 * No stop, no stay.


 * The same Love works in all.




 * But time irreparable hasts away.


 * Book IV
 * If I may great things compare with Small.

Is mix'd through Earth, the Sea, and lofty Skie.
 * They say the Deity


 * Nor is there place for Death.

Stretching my hands, t'embrace thee, thine no more.
 * Farewell, farewel, Night shades my Body o're,

Virgil's Æneis
Fate-forc'd from Troy, on the Lavinian Strand; Whom angry Gods at Sea and Land engage, And cruel Juno's persecuting Rage. Much suffer'd he by War, whilst Walls he rear'd, And Trojan Gods to Latian Realms transferr'd; Whence Latins, and the Alban Princes come, And lofty Tow'rs of all-commanding Rome.
 * Book I
 * Arms, and the Man I sing, who first did land,


 * Can in Celestial minds such Passion reign?


 * So great the Task to raise the Roman State!

And greater, God these too will end at last.
 * Dear Friends, for we have many Dangers past,



Delightful be to tell another day.
 * This Story may

This said, although opprest with weighty Care, He shews glad Looks, and hides his deep Despair.
 * Live, and with Hope such happy Dayes expect.


 * Having drown'd her sparkling Eyes in tears.

What was the wasted Trojans great offence? How could my pious son thy pow'r incense? Or what, alas! is vanish'd Troy's offense?
 * How could my Son so highly thee incense
 * Compare John Dryden's translation:

Not Mortal is; thou art of Heavenly Race.
 * But who art thou? that Voyce, and beauteous Face,


 * She all the Goddesses excels.

Yet know, the Gods both Right and Wrong record.
 * If Men, and Mortal Powers you not regard,


 * Taught by my Woes, to succour the distrest.


 * Book II

Be what it will, Greeks bringing Gifts I fear.
 * Trojans beware, within some Mischief lyes;

And we conceive it brave to dye in Arms.
 * Fury our Judgement charms,


 * Vanquisht men's safety is to hope for none.

And Death in various Shapes seen every where.
 * In all parts cruel Grief, in all parts Fear,


 * Ah! who may hope, when Heaven hath Help deni'd!

Which could not pierce his sounding Target through, But on the Margin hung the harmless Spear.
 * Th' Old Man a feeble Javelin threw,

Dear Countreymen, let's once more charge the Foe; Let us renew the Fight, on bravely fall, We shall not perish unrevenged all.
 * Arm, arm, bring Arms, the last day bids us go;

Nor shall your Burthen be to me a Weight. What ever chance, one common Danger we Shall equal share, to both one safety be: I shall Ascanius my Companion chuse; My Wife must follow, but some distance use.
 * Dear Father, get upon my shoulders streight,

My hand, and follow'd with no equal pace.
 * Ascanius did embrace


 * Speechless I was, upright did stand my Hair.

Thrice her in vain my circling Arms entwin'd She like a swift Dream flyes, or nimble Wind.
 * Three times I strove to cling about her Neck,

Bearing my aged Father on my Back.
 * I the Mountain take,


 * Book III


 * What dares not impious man for cursed Gold!

Down in a Cave, who long hath Fate foretold; Which writ in Leaves, the Maid in order puts, And to secure, in hollow Marble shuts. They keep their Stations just as she design'd: But the Door op'ning, with the smallest Wind, The slender leaves do every way disperse.
 * A Prophetess inspir'd thou shalt behold


 * Suffer thou with patience this delay.


 * Go, raise great Troy by prowess to the Skies.

Stern Fates, to Fates more cruel, us constrain.
 * May you live happy, you whose Woes are done.

At Heaven we tilt, then suddenly we fell, Watry Foundations sinking low as Hell.
 * On high Backs mounted of the swelling Flood,


 * A horrid Monster, huge, deform'd, and blind.


 * Book IV

Bleeds inward, and consumes in hidden Fire.
 * Mean time the Queen wounded with deep desire,


 * What strange Dreams disturb my rest?


 * Fear speaks degenerate minds.

Hath he been toss'd? what Battles he relates! Were I not fix'd, did not my changeless Vow All thoughts of second Marriage dis-allow, Since my first Love by Death deceiv'd me... I had perhaps with this one Crime comply'd.
 * Ah, by what Fates


 * I feel the Sparks of my old Flame revive.

Or Jove's dire Thunder sink me down to Hell, Where Shades, pale Shades, of Night eternal dwell, E're I with Shame, and those dear Ties dispense: He who my first Love had, hath born it hence, And in his Grave for ever let it rest.
 * But may the Earth first swallow me alive,


 * This, think'st thou Dust intomb'd, or Ghosts regard?


 * Stupendious Works unfinish'd lye.


 * The Queen neglected Fame for Love.

Which grows by Motion, gains, by flying, Force; Kept under first by Fear, soon after shrouds, Stalking or Earth, her Head amongst the Clouds.
 * Fame far out-strips all Mischiefs in her course,


 * He must hoyst Sail, and fly.

And swift through all imaginations glides.
 * His active Soul a thousand waies divides,


 * Who a Lover can deceive?

Me thus? and secretly our Kingdom leave?
 * And could'st thou hope, perfidious, to deceive

Now by these Tears, by this Right hand I thee (Who now unfortunate can boast no more) By our late Vows, our Nuptial Rites implore; If e're I did oblige, if ever please, Take pitie on a falling House; And these Designes, if Praier may yet find rome, lay by.
 * Fliest thou me?

I never shall forget Eliza's name.
 * Whilst a Soul supports this mortal Frame,

Homer His Iliads Translated (1660)
Great Goddess, sing, which did the Greeks engage In many Woes, and mighty Hero's Ghosts Sent down untimely to the Stygian Coasts: Devouring Vultures on their Bodies prey'd, And greedy Dogs, (so was Jove's Will obey'd;) Because Great Agamemnon fell at odds With stern Achilles, Off-spring of the Gods.
 * Achilles Peleus Son's destructive Rage,
 * Book I, opening lines




 * Him here he found preparing for the field His bow, his breast-plate, and his glittering shield: Whilst beauteous Helen 'mongst her maids in state Their several works and tasks disposing sate.
 * Book IV

As patterns of benignity extoll'd: Whom, though their bosoms did with anger boil; Rich gifts and softer words would reconcile.
 * Ah! much those ancient heroes were of old
 * Book IX

Who all king Œneus' fertile fields destroys: The stately trees tore from their fiber'd roots, Silver'd with blossoms of delicious fruits.
 * With cruell tusks a savage boar imploys,
 * Book IX

Try, what our forces may united do.
 * Come, let us arm with speed; and let us two
 * Book XIII

The other half lay broken in the field.
 * Like a burnt stake, half stuck upon his shield;
 * Book XIII

Or still old grudges foster in thy breast, Because thou Troy, and I the Grecians aid?
 * Wilt thou, dear daughter, grant me one request,
 * Book XIV

To keep his post, and stand where others stood.
 * But Ajax now no longer thought it good
 * Book XV

Who running by her busie mother cries To be ta'en up, and by her garments holds, Till she the fondling in her arms infolds.
 * Why com'st thou like a girl with blubber'd eyes,
 * Book XVI

And did with her as men with women do.
 * Then let him swear he ne'er the lady knew,
 * Book XIX

Spending thus idle breath, enough to freight An able vessel of the primer rate? Our tongues are voluble, and store of words Invention on all arguments affords, Scatter'd on fresh occasions here and there, And what thou say'st thou shalt from others hear. Let us no longer vainly thus contend, Like fenceless women, railing to no end.
 * Why prattle we like children at their play,
 * Book XX

And like a malefactor thee abused? She sighing then replied; Juno thy wife, Who still foments contention here and strife.
 * Who, dearest daughter! thus unkindly used,
 * Book XXI

For lust-rewards prefer'd the Cyprian dame.
 * When they and Venus to his cottage came,
 * Book XXIV; the Judgement of Paris.

Homer His Odysses Translated (1665)
Who (Troy b'ing sack'd) coasting the Universe, Saw many Cities, and their various Modes; Much suffering, tost by Storms on raging Floods, His Friends conducting to their Native Coast: But all in vain, for he his Navy lost, And they their Lives, prophanely feasting on Herds consecrated to the glorious Sun; Who much incens'd obstructed so their way, They ne'er return'd: Jove's Daughter this display.
 * That prudent Hero's wandering, Muse, rehearse,
 * Book I, opening lines

And a carv'd foot-stool, he Minerva plac'd. There 'gainst a column sets her lance, where stood Ulysses' javelins, planted like a wood. Against a column, fair with sculpture grac'd; Where seemly rang'd in peaceful order stood Ulysses' arms, now long disus'd to blood.
 * Then in a chair, with a rich cushion grac'd
 * Book I. Compare Pope's translation:
 * The spear receiving from her hand, he plac'd



'Mongst rowling pebbles, and sharp pointed stones.
 * There had his flesh been rent, fractur'd his bones,
 * Book V

Free from rough clifts, safe from disturbing winds.
 * At last a pleasant river's mouth he finds,
 * Book V

Death at their heels: they brush the briny wave, And soon our ship the open sea enjoy'd; But all the rest the Læstrigons destroy'd.
 * Their oars I bid them ply, their lives to save,
 * Book X

But say, blest prophet, and the truth relate; I see my mother's shade, who not her son Will speak to, nor so much as look upon: Silent she sits by sacred blood: ah, how May she, poor shadow! her dear offspring know?
 * These Heaven decrees, and ever-fixed Fate.
 * Book X

The Fables of Aesop (2nd ed. 1668)




And Mortals to themselves are greatest Foes.
 * He is too blest that his own Happiness knows,
 * Fab. II: Of the Dog and Shadow


 * He that loves Gold, starves more, the more he's fed.
 * Fab. II: Of the Dog and Shadow, Moral


 * Great Expectations oft to nothing come.
 * Fab. VIII: Of the Mountain in Labour


 * True Valour best is without Witness shown.
 * Fab. IX: Of the Lyon and the Mouse


 * Mercy makes Princes Gods.
 * Fab. IX: Of the Lyon and the Mouse, Moral


 * Small Help may bring great Aid.
 * Fab. IX: Of the Lyon and the Mouse, Moral


 * This cruel Prince that made his Will a Law.
 * Fab. XII: Of the Frogs desiring a King

Pick Quarrels, and, pretending Justice, kill.
 * They that have Power to do, may, when they will,
 * Fab. XIV: Of the Wolf and the Lamb

May be the first the Error understands.
 * Who Weapons put into a Mad-Man's Hands,
 * Fab. XXXVI: Of the Husband-man and the Wood

None for themselves are born.
 * None can Protect themselves with their own Shade.
 * Fab. XLVII: Of the Rebellion of the Hands and Feet


 * No Beast is half so False as Man.
 * Fab. XLIX: Of the Fox and the Cock

Oft Conqueror proves, because he thinks he can.
 * Fortune assists the Bold, the Valiant Man
 * Fab. LII: Of the Forrester, the Skinner, and a Bear, Moral

And Peace and Plenty with soft Beds disdain. But when in Forrein War Death seals his Eys, His Birth-place he remembers e'r he Dies.
 * Thus at Home happy, oft fond Youth complain,
 * Fab. LIII: Of the Tortoise and the Frogs, Moral

Change Nature, nor transform and Ape into a Man.
 * Rich Cloaths, nor Cost, nor Education can
 * Fab. LV: Of an Ægyptian King and his Apes


 * Those that can Help, to Hurt may find a way.
 * Fab. LVI: Of the Eagle and the Beetle


 * One good Art's better than a thousand bad.
 * Fab. LVII: Of the Fox and the Cat


 * Lost Reputation hard is to be found.
 * Fab. LXI: Of Cupid, Death, and Reputation

Vicissitudes of Fortune Constant are.
 * Of Pride in thy Prosperity beware,
 * Fab. LXII: Of the Gourd, and the Pine

Pierce gentle Breasts sooner than sharpest Swords.
 * Loud Threatnings make men stubborn, but kind Words
 * Fab. LXV: Of the Sun and Wind, Moral

Madmen against a violent Torrent row. Thou mayst hereafter serve the Common-weal; Then yield till Time shall later Acts repeal.
 * Though Strong, Resist not a too Potent Foe;
 * Fab. LXVII: Of the Oke and the Reed, Moral

Quotes about Ogilby



 * He had such an excellent inventive and prudentiall witt, and master of so good addresse, that when he was undon he could not only shift handsomely (which is a great mastery), but he would make such rationall proposalls that would be embraced by rich and great men, that in a short time he could gaine a good estate again, and never failed in any thing he ever undertooke but allwayes went through with profits and honour.
 * John Aubrey, Brief Lives, ed. Andrew Clark, Vol. II (1898), p. 103


 * Ogilby, the favourite of Pope's schoolboy days, and the banker on whom he not unfrequently drew for rhymes while composing his own translation, though a faithful interpreter of the Greek, ranks as an epic poet below Sir Richard Blackmore.
 * John Conington, "The Poetry of Pope", in Oxford Essays (1855), p. 32


 * John Ogilby, the well-known translator of Homer, was originally a dancing-master. He had apprenticed himself to that profession on finding himself reduced to depend upon his own resources, by the imprisonment of his father for debt in the King's Bench. Having succeeded in this pursuit, he was very soon able to release his father, which he did, very much to his credit, with the first money he procured. An accident, however, put an end to his dancing, and he was left again without any permanent means of subsistence. In these circumstances, the first thing he did was to open a small theatre in Dublin; but just when he had fairly established it, and had reason to hope that it would succeed, the rebellion of 1641 broke out, and not only swept away all his little property, but repeatedly put even his life in jeopardy. He at last found his way back to London, in a state of complete destitution: but, although he had never received any regular education, he had before this made a few attempts at verse-making, and in his extremity he bethought him of turning his talent in this way, which certainly was not great, to some account. He immediately commenced his studies, which he was enabled to pursue chiefly, it is said, through the liberal assistance of some members of the university of Cambridge; and although then considerably above forty years of age, he made such progress in Latin that he was soon considered in a condition to undertake a poetical translation of Virgil. This work was published in the year 1650. In a very few years a second edition of it was brought out with great pomp of typography and embellishments. Such was its success that the industrious and enterprising translator actually proceeded, although now in his fifty-fourth year, to commence the study of Greek, in order that he might match his version of the Æneid by others of the Iliad and the Odyssey. In due time both appeared; and Ogilby, who had in the meanwhile established himself a second time in Dublin in the management of a new theatre, was in the enjoyment of greater prosperity than ever, when, having unfortunately disposed of his Irish property, and returned to take up his residence in London, just before the great fire of 1666, he was left by that dreadful event once more entirely destitute. With unconquerable courage and perseverance, however, he set to work afresh with his translations and other literary enterprises; and was again so successful as to be eventually enabled to rebuild his house, which had been burned down, and to establish a printing-press; in the employment of which he took every opportunity of indulging that taste for splendid typography to which his first works had owed so much of their success. He was now also appointed cosmographer and geographic printer to Charles II.; and at last, at the age of seventy-six, terminated a life remarkable for its vicissitudes, and not uninstructive as an evidence both of the respectable proficiency in literature which may be acquired by those who begin their education late in life, and also of what may be done by a stout heart and indefatigable activity in repairing the worst injuries of fortune. Ogilby was no great poet, although his translations were very popular when they first appeared; but his Homer, we ought to mention, had the honour of being one of the first books that kindled the young imagination of Pope, who, however, in the preface to his own translation of the Iliad, describes the poetry of his predecessor and early favourite as "too mean for criticism."
 * George Lillie Craik, The Pursuit of Knowledge Under Difficulties: Illustrated by Anecdotes (1830), Chapter IV, pp. 68–70. Quoted in The Monthly Review (September, 1829), Art. XII: "The Library of Entertaining Knowledge", pp. 143–144. Also in Biography of Self Taught Men (1832) by Bela Bates Edwards, pp. xlii–xliii.


 * It is a curious co-incidence of circumstances, that Pope was initiated in poetry at eight years of age by the perusal of Ogilby's Homer. A friend having presented Dr. Beattie, in the latter part of his life, with a copy of Ogilby's Virgil, made him very happy, in thus recalling to his imagination all the ideas with which his favourite author had at first inspired him, even through the medium of a translation.
 * Sir William Forbes, 6th Baronet, An Account of the Life and Writings of James Beattie (1806), footnote on p. 11


 * But why without Annotations? Because I had no hope to do it better than it is already done by Mr. Ogilby.
 * Thomas Hobbes, Preface to Homer's Odysses (1675)


 * [ Hobbes's] poetry, as well as Ogilby's, is too mean for criticism.
 * Alexander Pope, Preface to The Iliad of Homer (1715)


 * Here swells the shelf with Ogilby the great.
 * Alexander Pope, The Dunciad, Variorum (1729), Book I, line 141, p. 82


 * Ogilby's translation of Homer was one of the first large poems that ever Mr. Pope read; and he still spoke of the pleasure it then gave him with a sort of rapture, only on reflecting on it.
 * Joseph Spence, Observations, Anecdotes, and Characters, of Books and Men (1820), pp. 46–47


 * [Alexander Pope] treads in the steps of Ogilby; below criticism, perhaps, but not imitation.
 * Gilbert Wakefield, The Iliad of Homer, Vol. V (1796), footnote on p. 302


 * John Ogilby was one, who from a late Initiation into Literature, made such a Progress therein, as might well stile him to be the Prodigy of his time, sending into the world so many large and learned Volumes, as well in Verse as in Prose, as will make posterity much indebted to his Memory.
 * William Winstanley, The Lives of the Most Famous English Poets (1687)