The Odes Of Horace In A Metrical Paraphrase (1874)

By Ferry David, Horatius, James Michie, et al.

Book Overview

""The Odes of Horace in a Metrical Paraphrase"" is a book written by the Roman poet Horace in the year 23 BC. This book contains a collection of 87 poems, or odes, that are written in a variety of meters and styles. The odes are addressed to a variety of people, including friends, patrons, and even gods. This particular edition of the book, published in 1874, is a metrical paraphrase of the original Latin text. This means that the translator has attempted to capture the meaning and spirit of the original poems while also putting them into a form that can be easily understood by English readers. The translator of this edition is unknown, but they have done an admirable job of capturing the essence of Horace's poetry. The odes cover a wide range of topics, including love, friendship, nature, and the joys of life. They are written in a style that is both elegant and accessible, making them a pleasure to read for anyone interested in classical poetry. Overall, ""The Odes of Horace in a Metrical Paraphrase"" is a beautiful and engaging collection of poems that is sure to delight readers of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you are a student of classical literature or simply someone who enjoys beautiful poetry, this book is well worth your time and attention.This scarce antiquarian book is a facsimile reprint of the old original and may contain some imperfections such as library marks and notations. Because we believe this work is culturally important, we have made it available as part of our commitment for protecting, preserving, and promoting the world's literature in affordable, high quality, modern editions, that are true to their original work.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1120204496
• ISBN13: 9781120204493
• Release Date: September 2009
• Publisher: Kessinger Publishing
• Length: 196 Pages
• Weight: 0.59 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.4" x 6.0" x 9.0"

Customer Reviews

Original not a translation

Introduction and commentary are in English but the Odes themselves are in the original so unless you read Latin or want to learn, get another edition

Marvellous collection

This collection of creative translations by some of the best of contempory poets is marvellous. For those of us who are somewhat Latin-challenged, the Latin on facing pages is very helpful.

Just wonderful

If you love poetry, treat yourself to this spelendid collection. Horace's Latin is too difficult for most of us whose high school education is distant. These translations are never less than readable and often beautiful. This may be a book that reminds us of why Horace has been read and loved for two thousand years.

Best available English translation

Of the various translations of Horace's Odes into English, this is the best I have found. The translations stay close to the literal meaning and sequence of the originals, yet are rendered into English poetry (not a prose crib.) Horace is a frequently complicated, dense poet, so the translations are often rather complicated and dense. A reasonable number of explanatory notes are provided in the back. My main reason for withholding a fifth star is the cheapness of the physical presentation: in order to save space, the poems are run together rather than being presented on separate pages, and the typeface is small.

Horace in the "Chaotic Age"

This is one of the finest translations of Horace ever compiled, all done by modern poets. Each translation seem done with care, more for the spirit of the poem than its transliterative meaning. The method of approaching Horace, by distributing the odes among some forty poets, keeps the timeless beauty of his poetry fresh. This is also a bilingual edition of Horace, which is an indispensable condition. Harold Bloom concurs that this is the best English translation of Horace's Odes.

Uncommon Poems of the Commonplace

No doubt that a command of Greek and Roman mythology adds immeasurably to the enjoyment of Horace's Odes but in many cases the context explains the reference. Horace's commonplace themes are deeply imbedded in our culture and he illuminates them with uncommon insight and poetry: love is cruel, seize the day, greed wants more, death equalizes, happy the one who wants nothing, don't be beguiled by past success, luck changes, accept your place, beauty fades, death comes, money can't buy peace, a friend is our other half. I love Horace the man, the Odes and the Ferry translation which brings a contemporary idiom to the poems without seeming contrived.