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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 January 2025
Note.—Those who are acquainted with several translations will not need telling that this latest is indebted to several. Unlike any others, it avoids jerks and female rhymes, and aims at faithfulness, literal faithfulness when possible. Others may see in many lines or verses an opening for still greater faithfulness; they are welcome to suggest as seems good.
Verse I is ‘ lifted ’ almost without change. Verse 2 aims at rendering the ‘ est venturus.’ Verse 3 deliberately renders spargens by shattering, which is one and the same word with scattering. Verse 6 does not contain a faulty rhyme—the old pronunciation still used in Ireland, of none, is long o. Verses 7 and 8 atone in perfect literalness for the comparative freedom of 4 and 5. Verse 10 uses fain in the more ancient sense of being so low as to be glad of any help. Verse 11 echoes our Lord’s own word about being reconciled ‘ on the way ’ to court for trial. In verse 17, line 3, those who do not like old words are permitted to suggest as an alternative : ‘Keep mine end in Thy control.’ I personally prefer what I have written. In hymns one has to keep a very open mind as to diction, and one must tolerate whatever is in reason. The imperfectly instructed are often faddy and fastidious about things that do not matter in the least, because their personal preferences override general broad considerations. I once knew a man who was quite savage at the very mention of Faber’s lovely hymn on Our Lady’s expectation, such a song as Faber alone could write.