Ouids Metamorphosis translated grammatically, and also according to the propriety of our English tongue, so farre as grammar and the verse will well beare. Written chiefly for the good of schooles, to be vsed according to the directions in the preface to the painefull schoole-master, and more fully in the booke called Ludus Literarius, or the Grammar-schoole, Chap. 8

To the painefull Schoolemaster, de∣sirous to reape the fruits of his labours, and to see the blessing of the Lord, by the new meanes and helps which he affordeth daily.

IF you desire to finde the benefit, and reape the fruit of this, and the like Grammaticall translations with mee, without inconuenience, doe these things; at least make triall that you may be able to iudge truely hereof.

1. Cause all your schollars, who take construction to bee very perfect in the rule of con∣struing, as it is set downe in the Ludus Literarius Chapt. 8. or more shortly in the Posing of the Accidence.

2. To be able to say perfectly without book, or to turne vnto presently any of the rules of Grammar which are vsu∣ally learned.

3. For taking of their lectures, direct them in this man∣ner following, and see that they can doe it.

1. That one of the two Seniors of the forme which is to vse the help hereof, hauing the translation, doe in all more hard places reade vnto the rest of the forme either the lecture in English first, as it is translated, or at least the brief summe & sense of it out of the inmost columnes, ouer against the translation of the lecture, to giue them some light and vnderstanding of the meaning of it.

2. That one or both of the Seniors looking vpon the tran∣slation together with the Author in Latine, cause the rest, each in his order, first to reade his peece, and in reading to obserue all things according to the direction in the said rule of construing, and then to construe and giue a reason accor∣ding to the same rule, why it must be so construed, and not otherwise. And where any sticke or goe amisse, varying from the translation, to recall them to the rule, demanding of them what the rule teacheth to be taken first, and what in the next place; so to help them by the translation, where none of their fellowes can finde it out, to giue both Grammar, sense and variety of phrase in English, according to the text in the translation and to the third columne compared toge∣ther, by the helpe of the markes.

Thirdly, when they haue construed twice or thrice ouer, and that the very lowest and worst can construe, that they cause them likewise to parse according as they construed, viz. each his peece, giuing the reasons of euery word.

Fourthly, afterward let them direct them to be able to giue each thing obserued in the vttermost columne for nota∣tion, history or otherwise. And this for taking their lec∣tures.

Secondly, for preparing their lectures herein;

First, cause each to study and make their lectures per∣fect by the helpe of the translation and their Grammar, to be able, so soone as they shall be called to say, First, to de∣liuer the English, secondly, the Latine both in prose and verse, viz. first, in a pure Latine stile in prose, and then turning that into the Poets verse. Which practice will be both a good helpe for making Latine, and also a most plaine way to enter them in making a verse. And afterwards to be able to construe and parse without booke, rendering a

reason of euery thing; to giue the phrases, to vary them, and to doe whatsoeuer the translation directs vnto. Thus let them doe in all the Authors thus translated, so farre as the Author and translation afford them helpe.

Secondly, Cause them at their leasure, oft to construe o∣uer amongst themselues all which they haue learned in the Author, the two seniors onely, or one of them directing the rest by the translation that they construe truely. And espe∣cially make them to construe it oft out of the translation, loo∣king only on it, each his peece, all the rest looking vpon their Latine books: which will be a helpe to cause them to keep all most perfectly, and chiefly if they obserue phrase and dif∣culty as they proceed. And much more if they be warned to construe them oft ouer, priuately at home, and sometimes be examined of a sodaine in seuerall places.

By these meanes (vnlesse daily experience can deceiue) these translations will prooue worthie the accept••nce and vse of our chiefe Schooles; when hereby all the middle formes of the schoole may both take and each waies prepare their owne lectures of themselues, at least with very little helpe or trouble of the master; & that as profitably and surely in euery respect, as if the master gaue, or heard the giuing of them himself: vvhen they are caused hereby to search out and giue a reason of each word why it must be so construed, parsed, and vsed in that place, that the master ordinarily shall need but onely to examine them, when they are prepa∣red. Thus to auoid not onely that common toyle to the Ma∣ster in giuing each lecture, but also that he may saue all that time which is so spent, to imploy much of it with his highest formes in the chiefe Authors Latine or Greeke in giuing their lectures, or hearing them to take their owne lectures of themselues, for their greater furtherance & better fitting

for the Vniuersity, and likewise for the credit of the school, and in examining and posing, which is the best quickner of their wittes, and spurre to all good learning. Hereby, more∣ouer▪ shall the children be fitted with vnderstanding and iudgement, how many waies to make their benefit of their Authors. Or else that the Master may bestowe the more time and paines, amongst the lowest and first formes, for the better entring and grounding of them, which beeing rightly performed makes all their proceeding afterwards ful of certainty and pleasant delight. In this one thing (and that by meanes of these helps, there may bee many moe of a forme, and euery one able to prepare his owne lecture, and also that all of them may so easily and surely by oft repetiti∣ons, and their owne priuate paines keepe all which they haue learned) I finde so great gaine without losse, in redeeming so much time to be imployed vpon other most necessary vses in the schoole, yea so much freedome from many occasions of discontentment and ouer-wearying my selfe, and so sweete an allurement to prouoke the children to study of themselues with contention & delight, as that it makes me bould to com∣mend the vse of them to all of this function, that they maie be partakers of the same comforts. To omit the sundry other benefits; and namely for beating out the right sense, & Gram∣mar rule in each place, with propriety in our owne tongue, so∣much as I haue beene yet able in my streights of time. Giue them not ouermuch at a time, but that they may learne all so perfectly as that what they haue learned may bee a schoole-master to that which followeth, and make experiment heere∣of: for this Essay and the many defects and slips in it, let the difficulty in this kinde of translating (to frame it each waie

both for Grammar propriety purity, variety, and to fit it to the childrens capacities in euery respect and meete to all the intended purposes without inconuenience & that in my con∣tinuall imployment in my calling) plead for me. I doubt not but all they who haue or shall make triall of it, (as some lear∣ned haue done) will fauourably accept it. Afford mee your helpe in shewing how to amende it, directing your Letters to the Printer to be deliuered, & future editions shall God wil∣ling send it forth more perfectly, with all the rest. In the meane time desiring still an increase of your loue and praiers for finishing my worke, I commend you to him, whose this & all my labours are; and shall rest yours as his goodnesse shall vouchsafe mercy.