Described as a new dual-language edition. What you get is the original poems set out in 16th century French with a prose translation underneath. Therefore to get the most out of this volume you will need some understanding of the French language. I do like the fact that the prose translation appears always on the same page as the poetry which enables the reader easily to check the translation at a glance. There is a good introduction and plenty of notes on each of the poems and even a short essay on how to read French poetry. A glossary of names and places and a chronology of contexts completes a well thought out publication.

The selections seem to cover most aspects of Ronsards poetry. There are of course examples from his three Livres de Amours, odes and elegies, however what I found most fascinating were selections from his hymns. These cover Ronsards view on his inpiration, his fame, his place in history etc, however in Les Daimons he speaks of the popularly held belief in the sphere of the demons and how they influence peoples lives on earth. There are extracts from the political poems and finally poems dictated when he was on his death bed.

The selection leads you to want to read more as you appreciate Ronsards scope and breadth. He could be bawdy, fair minded, political and he wrote some beautiful lyrical poetry. He also had a wicked sense of humour. A brilliant mind and well represented in these poems. 4 stars. ( )