Marcellus Palingenius Stellatus - AN ENCOUNTER WITH EPICURUS - translated excerpt from “Zodiacus Vitae”

    Here is a newly rendered English version, created by TauPhi (PDF document)

    Excerpt translated by Marcellus Palingenius Stellatus’ poem “Zodiacus Vitae” (1536)[Liber III - Gemini]

    Translated out of Latin into Early Modern English under the title of “The Zodiake of Life” (1588) [The third Booke - Gemini] by Barnabe Googe

    Annotated and rendered into Modern English (2026)

    Bravo, TauPhi,

    I loved reading this modern English version of the Encounter with Epicurus!

    Would it be possible for you to post a version with the intro, just the Modern English text, and your helpful Footnotes?

    I think such a modern English version document might be an interesting way to present Epicurus to a young person (in their 20s-30s), who is still asking life’s biggest questions. I find “Encounter” like a short version of France’s Wright’s “A Few Days in Athens”; with similar young people seeking wisdom from Epicurus.


    Also, is this translation the entirety of the Encounter With Epicurus?

    After the young man posing this natural next step question, we’re left hanging, waiting for the next instructions from wise old Epicurus.

    Quote

    “One doubt within my breast does yet assuredly remain: For we must not only learn of the deeds, but also obtain them. Therefore I do require you now, to teach me here the way That will lead me to pleasure’s place, whereby I may have it."


    And then it ends with “…” :/:?:

    Patrikios

    Quote from Patrikios

    Also, is this translation the entirety of the Encounter With Epicurus?

    After the young man posing this natural next step question, we’re left hanging, waiting for the next instructions from wise old Epicurus.

    This fragment is an excerpt from a much larger body of work, which focuses only on a presentation of Epicurean philosophy. The rest of the story is not Epicurean at all. If anyone is interested how the story ends, on the last page of the PDF there's a link to the original which is available on Archive.org.