Note 123 — EASTERN ODE, TRANSLATED FROM THE PROSE OF SIR WILLIAM JONES.[122]

l. 3. Like spears—This simile, in the original, of the sun-beams darting through the rains, and tinging the wet banks with the colour of blood, to sharp lancets; and the preceding one, of dew upon lilies, to the watry lustre of polished steel, are each peculiarly in the spirit of the oriental poets, whose comparisons are bold and sublime, but rather broad and general, than answering at all points; yet not the less beautiful for such want of precision. Surprise, to find these two characteristic similes omitted in Sir W. Jones’ versification of this ode, induced the author of these poems to give the above translation.