Original
Modern English
The climate’s delicate, the air most sweet, Fertile the isle, the temple much surpassing The common praise it bears.
The weather is mild, the air smells so nice, The island is rich, and the temple is far more impressive Than the common praise it gets.
I shall report, For most it caught me, the celestial habits, Methinks I so should term them, and the reverence Of the grave wearers. O, the sacrifice! How ceremonious, solemn and unearthly It was i’ the offering!
I’ll report back, Because most of it amazed me, the heavenly ways, I’d call them that, and the respect For the wise priests. Oh, the sacrifice! How formal, serious, and otherworldly It was during the offering!
But of all, the burst And the ear-deafening voice o’ the oracle, Kin to Jove’s thunder, so surprised my sense. That I was nothing.
But above all, the loud sound And the deafening voice of the oracle, Like Jove’s thunder, so overwhelmed my senses That I was completely stunned.
If the event o’ the journey Prove as successful to the queen,--O be’t so!-- As it hath been to us rare, pleasant, speedy, The time is worth the use on’t.
If the outcome of this journey Turns out as successful for the queen—Oh, let it be so!— As it has been for us: rare, pleasant, quick, Then the time spent will be well worth it.
Great Apollo Turn all to the best! These proclamations, So forcing faults upon Hermione, I little like.
Great Apollo, Make everything turn out for the best! These public statements, So unfairly accusing Hermione, I don’t like them at all.
The violent carriage of it Will clear or end the business: when the oracle, Thus by Apollo’s great divine seal’d up, Shall the contents discover, something rare Even then will rush to knowledge. Go: fresh horses! And gracious be the issue!
The harsh way it’s being handled Will either clear up or end the matter: when the oracle, Sealed by Apollo’s great divine power, Reveals its message, something extraordinary Will come to light. Go: get fresh horses! And may the result be good!