Abbreviated Lays

by Swift Edgar

The double-dactyl, a poetic form never intended for `the serious or high-minded', was invented in 1951. One of the form's rules is that the verse must contain a double-dactyl name, such as `Higgledy-Piggledy . This collection, the result of an obsession of the authors, substitutes the doubl-dactyl rhyme with a Latin expression or tag, providing a witty poetic tour through Roman history. Beginning with Aeneas and ending with the last emperors, each brief poem is faced with an original drawing and accompanied by a short piece of text that sets the historical scene. Includes a glossary of Latin tags.

Genres: Poetry, Linguistics

105 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2003

Reviews

[Drianne · Rating 2 out of 5]

A great idea: a book of double-dactyl poems about Roman history.

I wanted this to be a lot better than it was. :( A few of the individual poems were cute or clever, but there was SO much sexism and cissexism in this book that it honestly ruined it for me. ēheu!

(Also some of the Latin didn't scan, pro dolor!)

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Written by my Greek teacher for my Latin teacher. With notes and drawings by students. Opus amoris est.

[Jamie L · Rating 4 out of 5]

it is not the same book my edition is 1898

[Jayson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perhaps you'd also like to read a book consistently solely of double dactyls regarding ancient Rome. You have essentially no option other than this book.