Page:Essay on the Principles of Translation - Tytler (1791, 1st ed).djvu/214

 beginning, which seems to be a customary prologue to a nursery-tale among the Spaniards, which must therefore be translated by a corresponding phraseology in English; and secondly, the blunder of Caton Zonzorino. Both these are, I think, most happily hit off by Motteux.

"In the days of yore, when it was as it was, good betide us all, and evil to him that evil seeks. And here, Sir, you are to take notice, that they of old did not begin their tales in an ordinary way; for 'twas a saying of a wise man, whom they call'd Cato the Roman Tonsor, that said, Evil to him that evil seeks." Smollet thus translates the passage: "There was, so there was; the good that shall fall betide us all; and he that seeks evil may meet with the devil. Your worship may take notice,