This volume seeks to provide a comprehensive and representative survey of the English poetic tradition spanning seven centuries. Helen Gardner, a distinguished literary scholar and critic, curates this collection to demonstrate the evolution of English verse from the mid-13th century to the mid-20th century. By selecting works that range from the sublime to the satirical, the editor establishes a framework that balances canonical masterpieces with significant but lesser-known contributions to the language.

Critics and scholars frequently cite this anthology as a foundational reference for students of English literature. Readers often note the academic rigor of the selection process and the historical breadth provided by Gardner's editorial choices.