Horace is the greatest Latin lyric poet, and certainly the most influential. This book provides a new translation of the famous first book of Odes which is both accurate and readable, supported by a basic commentary for students showing how the poems work. The book includes the Oxford Classical Text edition of the Latin text.

This book will be needed by all who know Horace. ... can new readers start here? Resoundingly, yes. They will gain a sound idea of what Horace means and how his poetry works, and these are achievements not to be obtained from other translations. s `Professor West takes us closer to understanding his ancient master works. This may not be fashionable literary theory. It is better than that: to help us to understand a great poem is an act of creative poetry itself.' The Times `displays both West's great positive qualities (clarity, vigour, a wilingness to push a line of argument as far as possible) and his great negative qualities (clarity, vigour, an unwillingness to allow others to push a line of argument)' TLS `In this volume, West has built upon and surpassed his earlier work...It is what we might call the genre of this book which makes it such an important contribution to the study of Latin poetry...can be both helpful to students of all levels and scholarly...particularly good at placing the poems within a historical and cultural context...West's edition is full of new ideas and original interpretations...West's commentary should stimulate much fruitful discussion both among Latin scholars and students.' New England Classical Journal XXIII.4 `he is a fine reader of dramatic situations and imagery, and his translations are accurate and clear ... splendid and concise readings ... West's masterful job has made at least one convert, and I hope he plans more in this vein. All in all this book is a tool both dulce and utile, and if West after retirement can still be an enfant terrible, more power to him.' Vergilius, Volume 42: 1996 `The translations are splendid; they can be read with pleasure in their own right and attempt to do justice to Horace's effects on as many levels as possible ... also provides generous sidelights that disseminate a joy in literature' F. Jones, University of Liverpool, The Classical Review, Vol. XLVII, No. 1 '97