Robert Fitzgerald

Robert Stuart Fitzgerald (12 October 1910 – 16 January 1985) was an American poet, critic and translator. Quotes The Odyssey (1961) thumb|Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the story... Sing in me, Muse, and through me tell the storyof that man skilled in all ways of contending,the wanderer, harried for years on end,after he plundered the strongholdon the proud height of Troy.He saw the townlandsand learned the minds of many distant men,and weathered many bitter nights and daysin his deep heart at sea, while he fought onlyto save his life, to bring his shipmates home.But not by will nor valor could he save them,for their own recklessness destroyed them all—children and fools, they killed and feasted onthe cattle of Lord Hêlios, the Sun,and he who moves all day through the heaventook from their eyes the dawn of their return.Of these adventures, Muse, daughter of Zeus,tell us in our time, lift the great song again. opening lines The Iliad (1974) thumb|Anger be now your song, immortal one... Anger be now your song, immortal one,Akhilleus' anger, doomed and ruinous,that caused the Akhaians loss on bitter lossand crowded brave souls into the undergloom,leaving so many dead men—carrionfor dogs and birds; and the will of Zeus was done.Begin it when the two men first contendingbroke with one another—the Lord MarshalAgamémnon, Atreus' son, and Prince Akhilleus.Among the gods, who brought this quarrel on?The son of Zeus by Lêto. Agamémnonangered him, so he made a burning windof plague rise in the army: rank and filesickened and died for the ill their chief had donein despising a man of prayer. opening lines The Aeneid (1983) thumb|I sing of warfare and a man at war. I sing of warfare and a man at war.From the sea-coast of Troy in early daysHe came to Italy by destiny,To our Lavinian western shore,A fugitive, this captain, buffetedCruelly on land as on the seaBy blows from powers of the air—behind themBaleful Juno in her sleepless rage.And cruel losses were his lot in war,Till he could found a city and bring homeHis gods to Latium, land of the Latin race,The Alban lords, and the high walls of Rome.Tell me the causes now, O Muse, how galledIn her divine pride, and how sore at heartFrom her old wound, the queen of gods compelled him—A man apart, devoted to his mission—To undergo so many perilous daysAnd enter on so many trials. Can angerBlack as this prey on the minds of heaven? opening lines External links Category:1910 births Category:1985 deaths Category:Academics from the United States Category:Poets from the United States Category:Translators from the United States Category:Critics from the United States Category:People from Illinois Category:Translators of Homer