About David R. Slavitt David R. Slavitt is a widely known poet, novelist, critic, and translator. He prepared these English versions of The Lays of Marie de France because he loved them. Books by David R. Slavitt The Lays of Marie de France translated by David R. Slavitt The Metabolism of Desire The Poetry of Guido Cavalcanti by (author) Guido Cavalcanti translated by David R. Slavitt