The Art of Poetry: an Epistle to the Pisos / Q. Horatii Flacci Epistola Ad Pisones, De Arte Poetica.
In a conversation begun some months ago, a translator sets out to rescue Horace's celebrated Epistle to the Pisos from the long-standing charge that it is a loose, disordered jumble of brilliant fragments. Addressing his learned readers as masters rather than pupils, he offers a fresh English translation alongside the Latin original, together with critical observations. Drawing on the work of an acute earlier commentator, he argues that the poem is not a haphazard treatise on poetry at large but a purposeful, unified composition whose true design must be traced from within.
At its heart lies Horace's enduring counsel to writers: regard the author's end, honour order and propriety, and submit to the discipline of art. The work matters because it became the ancient world's summary of good writing, a touchstone of taste and composition to which later masters returned, and a defence of method against the appearance of disorder.
How it begins
In a conversation, some months ago, I happened to mention to you the idea I had long entertained of that celebrated Epistle of Horace, commonly distinguished by the title of THE ART OF POETRY. I will not say that you acceded to my opinion; but I flattered myself that I at least interested your curiosity, and engaged your attention: our discourse, however, revived an intention I had once formed, of communicating my thoughts on the subject to the Publick; an intention I had only dropt for want of leisure and inclination to attempt a translation of the Epistle, which I thought necessary to accompany the original, and my remarks on it. In the original, Horace assumes the air and stile of an affectionate teacher, admonishing and instructing his young friends and pupils: but the following translation, together with the observations annexed, I address to You as my Masters, from whom I look for sound information, a well-grounded confirmation of my hypothesis, or a solution of my doubts, and a correction of my errors.
Text from Project Gutenberg, public domain.