1977 First edition  hardback, 8vo, 101pp, parallel German and English text, Very good in very good dustwrapper. Owner signature on front endpaper.

The cycle of poems known originally as Erotica Romana and later as Roman Elegies was the artistic fruit of two of Goethe’s happiest experiences : his rejuvenating and liberating visit to Italy in 1786-88, and the beginning of his liaison with Christiane Vulpius. In this new bilingual edition, the translator attempts to convey in English something of the unique flavour of Goethe’s diction, and seeks to preserve that essential element in it. The original German and the English version are printed on facing pages, preceded by an introduction and followed by the necessary minimum of explanatory notes.