Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski (1595–1640) was known in his lifetime as the Christian Horace. He was one of the most famous Neo-Latin poets of the Baroque, widely read, commented upon, and translated throughout Europe. He was nominated Poet Laureate by Pope Urban VIII.
His Latin poetry was also read, translated, and imitated in England, especially from 1646 until the first half of the 19th century. The first edition of Sarbiewski’s English translations, by George Hils, was published in 1646. From that time onwards, Sarbiewski was translated by a variety of poets ranging from Hils to such famous authors as Vaughan and Coleridge. His poetry was universally read in grammar schools and used as a medium of improving the knowledge of Latin during a period exceeding two centuries. Thanks to Sarbiewski, English poets started to imitate Horace, which was an important factor in overcoming the Pindaric tradition. Sarbiewski’s oeuvre was also attractive owing to its immersion in various cultural traditions such as Stoicism, Ignatian spirituality, Platonism, and Hermeticism.
This revised and expanded edition includes all known English translations of Sarbiewski’s poems. The texts are accompanied by an introduction presenting the biography and works of Sarbiewski, as well as a short critical analysis of the translations included in the volume.
Acclaim for the first edition:
"These days, enthusiasts of Neo-Latin poetry in general, and Maciej Kazimierz Sarbiewski (Sarbievius) in particular, are few and far between. Perhaps only they will recognize the great importance of this new anthology, but all who do take cognizance of it will receive it with gratitude."
Charles S. Kraszewski, Polish Review (Fall 2008).
"Casimir Britannicus is a landmark publication."
Anne Barbeau Gardiner, Sarmatian Review, 30:1 (January 2010), 1469-71.
Piotr Urbański is the Chair of the Department of Latin and Classical Tradition at the University of Szczecin and Krzysztof Fordoński is assistant professor in the Faculty of Applied Linguistics at the University of Warsaw.
Edited by Piotr Urbański and Krzysztof Fordoński.