Latin ode to Hester Thrale
On 6 September 1775 Samuel Johnson wrote a Latin Ode to Thrale whilst on a tour of the Scottish Shetlands.
Jonathan says,
I am not a Thrale but found your website enthralling. I hope my attempt at verse will please some of your readers.
Dr. Johnson is arguing that the tough, squalid and filthy life that a crofter was compelled to lead precluded all culture. The Sapphic verse is a metre perhaps invented by Sappho, the Greek poetess of Lesbos, which was taken into Latin by Catullus and later, with brilliant success, by Horace. Johnson uses it here and I have attempted to use it here in an English dress.
| Latin | English |
|---|---|
| Permeo terras, ubi nuda rupes Saxeas miscet nebulis ruinas, Torva ubi rident steriles coloni Rura labores. |
Through lands I travel, where the naked cliff-top Merges in cloud its stark and craggy ruins, Where the stern landscape ridicules the crofter's Profitless labours. |
| Pervagor gentes, hominum ferorum Vita ubi nullo decorata culto, Squallet informis, tigurique fumis Faeda latest. |
Through tribes I wander where barbarian clansmen Live a rude life, unbeautified by culture, Squalid, distorted, by but-and-ben's1 thick vapours2 Eclipsed and filthy. |
| Inter erroris salebrosa long, Inter ignotae strepitus loquelae, Quot modis mecum, quid agat requiro, Thralia dulcet? |
Through all the joltings of a lengthy journey Through all the babel of an unknown language In countless ways I ask myself the question: "How's my sweet Thralia?" |
| Seu viri curas pia nupta multe, Seu fovet mater sobolem benigna, Sive cum libris novitate pascit Sedula mentem: |
Whether, as good wife, she soothes her husband's worries, Whether, as mother, gently tends her offspring, Whether, as scholar, feasts her mind on reading Gaining new knowledge: |
| Sit memor nostri, fideique merce, Stet fides constans, meritoque blandum Thraliae discant resonare nomen Littora Skiae. |
May she remember me! Be her faith rewarded! Her faith stand firm; and deservedly enchanting The name of Thralia, learn, Skye, to re-echo Through all your headlands! |
Written by Samuel Johnson in Skye on 6 September 1775. Published in Anecdotes of the late Samuel Johnson by Hester Thrale, and also in Thraliana - December 1777 entry.
- 1. 'But-and-ben' is the traditional crofter's cottage in the Highlands of Scotland. It translates the Latin 'tugurium' which means 'cottage'. Johnson wanted to make the point that the tough, grimy and squalid crofter's life stymied all culture.
- 2. The 'thick vapours' is the Latin 'fumis', which means 'smokings'. Dr. Johnson is referring to the black soot which is characteristic of the old croft's walls and general interior.
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Henry Thrale M.P. 1724/9 - 2 May 1821 |
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| Henry Thrale | Family tree and portraits · Homes · H. Thrale & Co. brewery · Parliamentary career · Pets · Travels · Coaching accident · Ill health · Death · Mourning tablet · Burial vault · Will · Testimonials |
| Hester Salusbury | Courtship · Marriage dowry · Marriage · Children · 13th anniversary |
| People | Father: Ralph Thrale M.P. · Arthur Murphy · Samuel Johnson · Jeremiah Crutchley · Sir John Lade · Streatham Worthies · King Louis XVI & Queen Marie Antoinette |
| Writings about | Dr Johnson's 'Own Dear Master · The Thrales of Streatham Park · Three Centuries · Thraliana |
| Signature |  |
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Hester Lynch Thrale née Salusbury 1741 - 2 May 1821 |
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| Hester Thrale | Family tree and portraits · Homes · Works · Writings . Thraliana · Pets · Travels · 80th party · Criticism · Death · Obituaries |
| Henry Thrale | Courtship · Marriage dowry · Marriage · Children · 13th anniversary |
| Gabriel Piozzi | Marriage · 7th anniversary · Adopted son · Miscarried daughter |
| People | Samuel Johnson · Streatham Worthies · Proposal from Mr. Swale · King Louis XVI & Queen Marie Antoinette |
| Writings about | The Thrales of Streatham Park · Dr Johnsons Women · Intimate letters · Hester Lynch Piozzi · Dr Johnsons Women · Doctor Johnson's Mrs Thrale · By Samuel Johnson: Ode to · 35th verses · By Herbert Lawrence: Song to Hester |
| Signature |  |