Folio Archives 248: The Eclogues by Virgil 2000
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1wcarter
The Eclogues by Virgil 2000
Virgil, in his eclogues (“reckonings”) takes scenes from contemporary Roman life to create a work of pastoral poetry that has inspired European writers for centuries. The ten episodes portray poetic love, tragedy, civil war and other daily life experiences. They were the predecessor of both the Aeneid and the Georgics and make entertaining and thoughtful reading. Each eclogue is only 4 to 6 pages long and the book can be easily read within an hour.
This short book of 61 pages contains the ten poems in a translation by James Michie, and there is a twelve page introduction by Gilbert Highet. The illustrations are all printed in pale brown (making them difficult to photograph) and consist of a full page frontispiece and introductory piece, one-third page headers for each eclogue, and numerous tailpieces.
The book is quarter bound in brown buckram with cream paper sides printed with images in white and grey. It has cream endpapers and a brown slipcase that is 26x18.2cm.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
Virgil, in his eclogues (“reckonings”) takes scenes from contemporary Roman life to create a work of pastoral poetry that has inspired European writers for centuries. The ten episodes portray poetic love, tragedy, civil war and other daily life experiences. They were the predecessor of both the Aeneid and the Georgics and make entertaining and thoughtful reading. Each eclogue is only 4 to 6 pages long and the book can be easily read within an hour.
This short book of 61 pages contains the ten poems in a translation by James Michie, and there is a twelve page introduction by Gilbert Highet. The illustrations are all printed in pale brown (making them difficult to photograph) and consist of a full page frontispiece and introductory piece, one-third page headers for each eclogue, and numerous tailpieces.
The book is quarter bound in brown buckram with cream paper sides printed with images in white and grey. It has cream endpapers and a brown slipcase that is 26x18.2cm.
An index of the other illustrated reviews in the "Folio Archives" series can be viewed here.
3wcarter
>2 Hanno:
Thanks for the correction. I don’t know where that came from, some aberrant part of my brain!
Altered in original post.
Thanks for the correction. I don’t know where that came from, some aberrant part of my brain!
Altered in original post.
4PeterFitzGerald
>1 wcarter: “The illustrations are all printed in pale brown (making them difficult to photograph)”
You’ve done an amazing job nonetheless!
You’ve done an amazing job nonetheless!
6MobyRichard
>1 wcarter:
Classy production! Interesting wording there. "Decorations by..." I assume the 'Decorator' is also the 'Illustrator'? The copyright page confirms it so I know the answer but...
Classy production! Interesting wording there. "Decorations by..." I assume the 'Decorator' is also the 'Illustrator'? The copyright page confirms it so I know the answer but...
7Eumnestes
Thank you for this generous photo spread. I was so impressed that I ordered a copy for myself on eBay. "Near-fine," so hoping for the best. I think that FS made a great decision commissioning James Michie for the translation (he also did their Catullus and Horace); he balances literal accuracy with a modern colloquial directness. And fine illustrations by Richard Shirley Smith, who did the FS Metamorphoses five years earlier. Seems to be a great volume overall, and I'm looking forward to reading it.
8Eumnestes
Update: the volume arrived in the mail today, and it surpasses my expectations. I would call it fine condition, with the buckram binding still glossy and bright. The only thing I might add to the original review and photo spread by 1wcarter is the easy readability of the volume: a quick glance suggests an excellent translation by James Michie, with generous font, and slim, convenient dimensions. Highly recommended.
