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Cover image of Milton's Latin Poems
Cover image of Milton's Latin Poems
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Milton's Latin Poems

translated by David R. Slavitt
introduction by Gordon Teskey

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In this collection, esteemed poet and translator David R. Slavitt brings to life John Milton’s Latin poetry with deft, imaginative modern English translations.

While Milton is recognized as one of the most learned English poets in history, his Latin poetry is less well known. Slavitt’s careful rendering brings Milton’s Latin poems—many written in his late teens—into the present. He keeps true to the style of the originals, showing Milton’s maturing poetic voice and the freedom he found working in Latin.

On the Gunpowder Plot
O, sly Guy Fawkes, you plotted against your king
and the British lords...

In this collection, esteemed poet and translator David R. Slavitt brings to life John Milton’s Latin poetry with deft, imaginative modern English translations.

While Milton is recognized as one of the most learned English poets in history, his Latin poetry is less well known. Slavitt’s careful rendering brings Milton’s Latin poems—many written in his late teens—into the present. He keeps true to the style of the originals, showing Milton’s maturing poetic voice and the freedom he found working in Latin.

On the Gunpowder Plot
O, sly Guy Fawkes, you plotted against your king
and the British lords, but did you intend to be kind
and make up for your malice in this thing
with at least a show of piety? Do we find
an intention, perhaps, of sending the members of court
up to the sky in a chariot made of fire
the way Elijah traveled. Or do I distort
the simple wickedness of your desire?

Featuring an introduction by Gordon Teskey, this comprehensive English-language collection of Milton’s Latin poems pays due respect to a master. Poetry lovers, Milton fans, and scholars of either will welcome, enjoy, and learn from this work.

About

Book Details

Publication Date
Status
Available
Trim Size
5.5
x
8.5
Pages
112
ISBN
9781421400785
Table of Contents

Introduction
Chapter 1. The Book of Elegies
Chapter 2. The Epigrams
Chapter 3. The Book of the Woods

Author Bios
David R. Slavitt
Featured Contributor

David R. Slavitt

David R. Slavitt is a poet, translator, novelist, critic, and journalist. He is author of more than seventy works of fiction, poetry, and poetry and drama in translation.
Featured Contributor

Gordon Teskey Ph.D.

Gordon Teskey is a professor of American and English literature at Harvard University and the author of Delirious Milton: The Fate of the Poet in Modernity.