Alexander Pope’s Imitations of Horace are one of those texts which are still much cited — obviously, you can’t really talk about the reception of Horace without mentioning them — but, I suspect, not much read, even by the dwindling band of enthusiasts for eighteenth-century literature. This is a shame because — although not close translations — they are by far the most successful Englishing of the hexameter Horace that we have, and a fine introduction to this part of Horace. That makes them, though, sound a bit dry which is the opposite of the truth. Pope’s extraordinary verse still sings with ferocity and precision; and alongside the satiric force for which Pope is famous, I find the the subtlety of his interpretation of Horace very moving. I thought I’d write today about the beginning of probably my favourite of the imitations, the last Pope wrote:
"Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed," said Samuel Johnson. Poets who make it their business to remind us of home truths have fallen into disrepute and are eyed with suspicion, if they're eyed at all, these days; but I don't think it's because our memories have gotten better.
Thank you for this! I've been thinking for a while, "I really need to read Horace: I wonder if my Latin is up to it?" ... and knowing that it's not, really, I haven't known where to turn.
"Men more frequently require to be reminded than informed," said Samuel Johnson. Poets who make it their business to remind us of home truths have fallen into disrepute and are eyed with suspicion, if they're eyed at all, these days; but I don't think it's because our memories have gotten better.
Thank you for this! I've been thinking for a while, "I really need to read Horace: I wonder if my Latin is up to it?" ... and knowing that it's not, really, I haven't known where to turn.
A privilege to read that! Thank you.