Sun Surfer, thanks for the great analysis of some of the translations that are out there. After having a go at the Leaf, Lang and Myers, the Butler, and the Pope translations I have elected to go with the Pope. I found it the most readable of the three and I also like the consistent rhyming couplets. It just makes the whole thing flow nicely for me.

I've completed the first two books and very soon found it helpful to keep a pad of paper and pencil handy to make a note of the names and brief description of who each was.