(Vol. iv., pp. 223. 285. 323.)
I trust that a few words more will not be deemed overmuch in pointing
out what I think will be found to be the source of T. W.'s difficulty.
We need not go to French or German translators, because it is reasonable
to suppose that where any sense can be made out of the text as it
stands, the last thing a foreigner would do would be to complete an
elliptical expression. I agree with MR. COLLINS, who says the expression
"is very good sense;" and from his adding "much more Byronic," I expect
he will agree with me in adding also, "but very bad taste." T. W. seems
to have felt this; and nothing can be more conclusive than his criticism
upon this point. I trust that there are few men of taste who have not as
utter an abhorrence of tyranny as Lord Byron; but I think that, strongly
as men of genius may be supposed to feel, few would have lugged in the
tyrants on such an occasion; as it seems to me it was just in the nature
of the noble poet, with or without cause, to do. What Byron says is
perfectly true; it is simply out of place: nevertheless, as the text
stands, it is said with force. But adopt T. W.'s variation, and can a
_flatter_ truism be conceived? And, after all, the objection not
removed; for the allusion would be equally out of place: unless, indeed,
your correspondent could make out of the text that
"Thy waters wasted them while they were free,"
And _wasted them_, _afterwards_, during their slavery,
Or, has continued _to waste them since_.