This volume investigates the literary significance and historical context of Christopher Smart’s translation of the fables of Phaedrus. The editors, working within the Oxford English Texts framework, provide a comprehensive scholarly apparatus to evaluate Smart’s contribution to 18th-century English literature. By pairing the original Latin fables with Smart’s English verse, the text establishes a critical foundation for analyzing his stylistic choices and translation methodology.

Scholars and academics frequently cite this volume as the definitive reference for studying Smart’s translation work. The text is recognized for its rigorous editorial standards and its utility as a primary resource for researchers of 18th-century poetry.