THE ODES OF HORACE.
The Odes of Horace, and other Verses. By Francis Law Latham, M.A. (Smith, Elder, and Co. 6s. net.)—The Sixteenth Epode (Altera jam teritur bellis tivi/ants aetas) has inspired Mr. Latham to write some excellent verses in "The Islands of the Blest," which more than once recall the dieites insa/as which the nobler sons of Rome ware to seek. But when he deals with the Odes directly as a translator the inspiration sadly fails. Here are the last two stanzas of "Quit desiderio" :— " For if that harp heard by the forest wood Thou shoulcret control with more persuasive hand Than Thracian Orpheus, never would the blood
Beturn to the thin ghost which with dread. wand Mercury, loath for prayers to unlock fate,
Has once compelled his murky flock_ within. 'Tie hard ; but patience will alleviate The sorrow which to remedy is sin."
The first is barely tolerable, the second not even that.
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