Author Description
In the 1860s, Francis Turner Palgrave set out to collect the finest English lyrical poems in one volume. What he created was The Golden Treasury, an instant classic of verse anthologies. Over the last century, it has withstood the test of time as an immensely popular collection--becoming virtually synonymous with English verse for generations of readers.Now available in a new edition for the first time in thirty years, The Golden Treasury is as delightful as ever, offering old classics together with the finest works of our own time. Here you can find priceless gems by Shakespeare, Byron, Tennyson, Yeats, and other immortal lights of literature. This new edition also serves as a map to the changing landscape of today's British verse, presenting outstanding poetry by both famous and lesser-known writers of Ireland and Great Britain: Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath, Fleur Adcock, Carol Ann Duffy, Douglas Dunn, Gavin Ewart, Tony Harrison, Elizabeth Jennings, Derek Mahon, Peter Porter, Carol Rumens, Anne Stevenson, and Hugo Williams, among others. Editor John Press is himself an accomplished poet and translator, and was editor of the previous edition, thus ensuring that the spirit of the original Golden Treasury is preserved. The result is a marvelous collection of British verse--a source of unexpected delights and old favorites alike.
Menrva's Summary
THE THESIS
This volume investigates the evolution and enduring quality of English lyrical poetry by curating a comprehensive selection of verse from the 19th century to the modern era. Editor John Press, an accomplished poet and translator, builds upon the foundational work of Francis Turner Palgrave to maintain a standard of excellence in lyrical expression. The book argues that the lyrical tradition remains a vital, shifting landscape that connects historical masters with contemporary voices from Great Britain and Ireland.
THE SCOPE MAP
What You Will Find
- A curated selection of English lyrical poems spanning from the classical era to the late 20th century.
- Inclusion of canonical figures such as Shakespeare, Byron, Tennyson, and Yeats.
- Representation of contemporary British and Irish poets including Seamus Heaney, Sylvia Plath, and Carol Ann Duffy.
Scope Limits
- The collection focuses primarily on lyrical verse and does not attempt to cover epic poetry or dramatic works in their entirety.
- The selection is geographically restricted to British and Irish poets, excluding a broader international scope of English-language poetry.
THE AUTHORITY PERSPECTIVE
Critics and scholars recognize this edition as a significant continuation of a historical literary project that has defined the canon for generations. Readers frequently note the balance between traditional classics and modern selections, making it a standard reference for those interested in the development of British lyrical verse.
Page Count:
720
Publication Date:
1996-07-18
ISBN-10:
0192823159
ISBN-13:
9780192823151
Poetry
British literature
SONGS ENGLISH
Classic Literature
Anthology
Literary Criticism