Download Epigrams From The Greek Anthology PDF

In this book the translator express his personal taste, and add his notes about Greek poetry. This little series of versions does not profess to represent the best epigrams in the Greek Anthology, being merely an attempt to render in English verse a few of the poems which appeal to my personal taste, and seem to lend themselves to this treatment. The strict canons of translation laid down by some authorities-for example, Mr. Arthur Symonds-are not, I think, applicable to renderings of Greek Poetry. Not only is it true that imitations of classical meters are rarely successful in English, but also that the elegiac couplet is used for a great variety of subjects, some of which inevitably suggest the use of particular measures in our language; but if the adoption of French forms such as the Rondel, Lai, or Triolet be a mistake, at least I err in excellent company. The short Notes and Translations therein quoted are gathered from many sources, most of which have, I hope, been acknowledged duly, and I have endeavored in many instances to call the reader's attention to admirable versions which I have not been able to quote at length. The references at the foot of each epigram are to the Didot Edition of the Palatine Anthology. In addition to the debt which all readers of the Anthology owe to Jacobs and to the editors of the book above named, I am under special obligations to Professor Murray for permission to print his version from Mimnermus; to Professor Mackail, whom I have often quoted, probably oftener than I know; to the late Dr. Headlam; and to a friend and critic who, with characteristic generosity, refuses to admit my indebtedness. (J. A. Pott )