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.

`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 `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 `West's format - text, translation, and essay on each poem in Odes 1 - precludes tying everything together, but his eclecticism excludes nothing. ... lively imagination and pugnacious style.' The Classical Journal, Feb-March 1997 `West, long recognized as an adept interpreter of the poet, includes a useful translation in this volume. The notes contain insightful observations on the elements of a Horatian ode ... his book should not fail to instruct and delight even the most sophisticated reader of Horace.' Mark Edward Clark, University of Southern Mississippi, Religious Studies Review, Volume 23, Number 1/January 1997 `his book should not fail to instruct and delight even the most sophisticated reader of Horace.' Religious Studies Review, vol.23, no.1, January 1997