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Contraposition Posted 14 years ago
Grammar

translating into modern English

Would you please translate this poem into modern English?

But oh! what art can teach,
What human voice can reach
The sacred organ's praise?
Notes inspiring holy love,
Notes that wing their heavenly ways
To join the choirs above.
  

Top answer

It is modern English. It was written in the 17th century, but there is not a word there that is used differently than it is today. Dryden is praising the music produced by the pipe organ: But oh!

— Mister Micawber

  • It is modern English.
  • It was written in the 17th century, but there is not a word there that is used differently than it is today.
  • Dryden is praising the music produced by the pipe organ: But oh!
  • what art can teach, what human voice can reach the sacred organ's praise?
  • Notes inspiring holy love, notes that wing their heavenly ways to join the choirs above.
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5 Answers
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It is modern English. It was written in the 17th century, but there is not a word there that is used differently than it is today. Dryden is praising the music produced by the pipe organ:

But oh! what art can teach, what human voice can reach the sacred organ's praise?
Notes inspiring holy love, notes that wing their heavenly ways to join the choirs above.
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What does 'teach' here mean?
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Sorry, but it just means 'teach'— instill understanding of the organ's capability. 'Art' means 'technique'.
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One more problem.
Some copies contain 'mend' instead of 'join'.
'Mend' and 'join' mean much different things as far as I know.
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I agree. I am not familiar with the various published versions of this work. The Bible has many variations, too.
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