Chaldaic Oracle

[krius]

"The intellect of the Father made a crashing noise, understanding with unwearied counsel omniform ideas. But with winged speed they leaped forth from one fountain: for both the counsel and the end were from the Father. In consequence, too, of being allotted an intellectual fire, they are divided into other intellectual forms: for the king

Comments

[hotel_noir]

It's a very beautiful translation, perhaps a little too beautiful, I worry there is a touch too much poetic licence - comparing a section with a few other versions

[krius]

Wow, there really is quite a lot of difference isn’t there? Since both sections from other translators are less grand sounding it would suggest that this translation (Thomas Taylor) has employed some poetic licence. The Greek was supplied alongside this translation

[hotel_noir]

As a rule I'm in favour of prose translations of poetry, especially as there is no way we'll ever convey even the vaguest element of the music of polytonal ancient Greek (though admittedly this particular work is later than that).

You are probably either already aware or already own them, but many of Thomas' translations of Proclus are available to download in PDF for free through google books:
http://books.google.co.uk/books?lr=&as_drrb_is=q&as_minm_is=0&as_miny_is=&as_maxm_is=0&as_maxy_is=&q=inauthor:proclus&as_brr=1&sa=N&start=0

[krius]

I have only had access to very recent reprints of these by the Prometheus Trust and had no idea so many rare works had been scanned in this way. It's a pleasure to read the original pages! Thanks very much :)

[logothetes]

Swarms of bees on terrible bosoms?! I say!

[krius]

Plenty of insect repellent. Should do the trick.