Vergil's Eclogues

Library Journal

Vergil's Eclogues, the earliest works of the great Roman poet, have long been a favorite of translators and imitators. Ostensibly the songs of Arcadian shepherds, they celebrate love, nature, and rural life as well as more elevated topics. This new translation by poet Fowler (classics, emerita, Univ. of Wisconsin, Madison) joins the modern versions by C. Day Lewis and Guy Lee. Fowler's verse translations are fluent if not always literal, using idiomatic American English that avoids some of the stilted style of Day Lewis. Her textual notes identify names and major allusions. Although regrettably the Latin original is not included, Fowler's version is a pleasure to read.Thomas L. Cooksey, Armstrong State Coll., Savannah, Ga.

From the Publisher

A handsomely produced poetry book, and in general the verse reads quite well.

Choice

A remarkable translation of an important text. Immediate, relaxed, and close to the spirit of the original.

Eugene W. Bushala, Boston College