Contentment
I joy not much in earthly joys;
I…
Joshua Sylvester (1563-1618) was an English poet and translator well-regarded for his contribution to Jacobean literature. Born in Kent, Sylvester showed early literary promise and was noted for his facility with languages and his poetic skill. He is perhaps best known for translating the works of the French poet Guillaume de Salluste Du Bartas, particularly "Divine Weeks and Works," an epic poem that sought to recount the Biblical history of the world from creation onward. This translation, published in various editions from 1592 and onwards, was highly influential in England and garnered the admiration of his contemporaries, including King James I and the young John Milton.
Sylvester’s polished and fluent verse, combined with the moral and religious themes of Du Bartas's original text, resonated deeply with the Protestant intellectual and religious climate of the time. In addition to his translations, Sylvester wrote original poetry and maintained a successful career as a merchant, a juxtaposition reflecting the versatile spirit of Renaissance man. Despite facing occasional economic difficulties, he managed to secure patronage from various notable figures, ensuring his work's dissemination. Sylvester passed away in Middleburg in the Dutch Republic, where he had moved late in life. His literary legacy endures through his translations, which continued to be read and appreciated long after his death.