On the Divine Names and the Mystical Theology — trans. C. E. Rolt
The translator’s English as printed (C. E. Rolt). The original-language text is not held; names are romanised as the translator printed them.
It is only right to add that the translator laboured under certain disadvantages. The original text of Dionysius is perplexing and confused, and no modern critical edition has as yet been produced. Rolt was frequently in doubt what the Author had really written.
But, beside the drawback incidental to any student of Dionysius, there was the fact of the translator’s solitary position at Watermillock, a village rectory among the Lakes, shut off from access to libraries, and from acquaintance with former writers on his subject. This is a defect of which the translator was well aware, and of which he pathetically complained. Friends endeavoured to some extent to supply him with the necessary books, but the lack of reference to the literature of the subject will not escape the reader of these pages. He was always an independent thinker rather than a person of historical investigation.
Hence it is that one branch of his subject was almost omitted; namely, the influence of Dionysius on the history of Christian thought. This aspect is far too important to be left out. Indeed Dionysius cannot be critically valued without it. An attempt therefore has been made to supply this omission in a separate Essay, in order to place the reader in possession of the principal facts, both concerning the Areopagite’s disciples and critics.
It is only right to add that the translator worked under certain disadvantages. The original text of Dionysius is perplexing and confused, and no modern critical edition has yet been produced. Rolt was often uncertain what the Author had really written.
But besides the drawback that every student of Dionysius faces, there was the translator's isolated position at Watermillock, a village rectory among the Lakes, cut off from access to libraries and from acquaintance with earlier writers on his subject. The translator was well aware of this defect and complained of it with real pathos. Friends tried to some extent to supply him with the necessary books, but the reader of these pages will not fail to notice the lack of reference to the literature of the subject. He was always an independent thinker rather than a historical investigator.
That is why one branch of his subject was almost left out: namely, the influence of Dionysius on the history of Christian thought. This aspect is far too important to omit. Indeed, Dionysius cannot be critically assessed without it. An attempt has therefore been made to supply the omission in a separate Essay, so as to put the reader in possession of the principal facts concerning both the Areopagite's disciples and his critics.