ABSTRACT
Freer adaptation of the general style of the psalms and fables is evidenced in the poet's imitative periodical poems. Horace is a prime candidate for such cultural appropriation, as demonstrated by the imitations and paraphrases by Alexander Pope and others that transport entire sermones from Augustus Caesar to Augustan England. The preface to Smart's verse translation displays the poet's particular interest in Horace, and his particular approach to the text that he translates. Smart's approach to Horace, then, is unexpected and bold, although it is congruent with his entire Englishing endeavour. For many writers, print signifies permanence. Horace's impressiveness is made clear to Smart because his works, 'the finest lines of all heathen antiquity', have passed through generations as a printed text. It is fitting that Smart presents Horace under the banner of impressive writing because the Roman poet was clearly preoccupied with writing verse that would be successful enough to acquire a lasting, physical existence.
