I encourage anyone who studies Latin to read at least the first few books of the Aeneid. It's great fun.

O Muse! the causes and the crimes relate;
What goddess was provok'd, and whence her hate;
For what offense the Queen of Heav'n began
To persecute so brave, so just a man;
Involv'd his anxious life in endless cares,
Expos'd to wants, and hurried into wars!

The Aeneid, by Virgil [Vergil to those who read Latin], Written 19 B.C.E Translated by John Dryden from Book I

For more samples:
http://classics.mit.edu/Virgil/aeneid.1.i.html

Thanks for the recommendation. It's fun even in translation.

Which makes me wonder: How faithful is the translation to the original? And, if the translation is as meritorious as this one obviously is, what credit does the translator receive for his/her labors?

Some people think that Edward Fitzgerald eclipsed Omar in his translation of the "Rubaiyat of Omar Khayyam".

I can't offer an opinion on either question as I can't read either Latin or Arabic. [Wish I could. Admire those who do.]

http://www.okonlife.com/