An English Translation Recommendation for 'La Divina Commedia'
I have hitherto perused both the Mendelbaum and the Carlyle-Wicksteed translations of 'La Divina Commedia'. The Mendlebaum translation is rather too modern and unpoetic for my fastidious self to ever relish. The Carlyle-Wicksteed translation, on the contrary, bears an essence that is far more antiquated (which I prefer), yet, is slightly more prosaic and less intelligible withal.
Would anyone happen to know who penned the eldest translation of 'La Divina Commedia', and, moreover, the translation that may, to some degree, boast the following criteria: antiquated language, a semi-poetic essence, and, a pre-twentieth century production?
Merci
Grammaticus
The Divine Comedy by Dante
I am currently reading Dante's Inferno and the translation I found that keeps closely to Dante's poetic style is a translation by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow published in 1867. I found Dante's epic poem hard to understand and this book is filled with Endnotes that commet on the images and persons I found to be rather cryptic if you don't have a good understanding of classical history. The complete translated Comedy is also available (Inferno, Purgatory, Paradise) by Longfellow. I hope this helps! :)