Irish poet, translator and editor Michael Smith is based in Dublin and this volume collects a number of his more unusual translations - The Battle of Maldon, from the Anglo-Saxon, two long poems from the 18th-century Irish, and a large selection of cantes flamencos (flamenco songs). The book will fill out the view of Smith's work in Britain, where he is better known as a translator of Spanish baroque poetry. He founded New Writers' Press in Dublin in 1967, an enterprise which was responsible for the publication of a number of neglected Irish poets, as well as several important younger writers. He was also co-founder and editor of the literary magazine The Lace Curtain.

Author Biography

Michael Smith lives in Dublin, where he was born in 1942. He founded New Writers' Press in 1967, which published a number of neglected Irish poets, as well as several important younger writers. He was also co-founder and editor of the literary magazine The Lace Curtain. He has translated extensively from the Spanish. His translations include Pablo Neruda: Twenty Love Poems & a Poem of Despair (NWP, 1974); Antonio Machado: Early Poems (NWP, 1976); Miguel Hernandez: Unceasing Lightning (Dublin, Dedalus, 1986); Francisco de Quevedo: On The Anvil (Dedalus, 1987); and Luis de Gongora: Selected Shorter Poems (London, Anvil Press Poetry, 1995). Michael Smith has also edited the Selected Poems of James Clarence Mangan (Gallery Books, Oldcastle, Co. Meath), and Irish Poetry, The Thirties Generation (Raven Arts Press, Dublin, 1983). His awards include The European Academy of Poetry Medal for his services to the translation of poetry.