ABSTRACT
Gilbert Highet in The Classical Tradition distinguishes clearly between the Pindaric and Horatian traditions in Western literature: The Pindarics admire passion, and extravagance. Horace’s followers prefer reflection, economy. Pindaric odes follow no pre-established routine, but soar and dive and veer as wind catches their wing. Horace enjoyed a quiet life and practised a moderate, though quite unspeculative, Epicureanism. He was a keen observer, and in his poetry he raised worldly common sense to the level of wisdom. Some of the characteristic qualities of his Odes may be suggested to readers who have little Latin by the example of a poem which John Milton translated into English. In this, Horace addresses the inconstant Pyrrha, whose latest lover fondly hopes that she will remain always free and amiable. In the seventh and sixth centuries before Christ, Greek lyrics, or poems to be sung to the lyre, took two forms. There were monodies, sung by single persons, and choral odes, sung by choirs.
