Seven Centuries of Poetry in English – Revised Edition

This revised and expanded edition of Seven Centuries of Poetry in English comprises poets of diverse national backgrounds.

Poets from Africa, New Zealand, Australia, India, Canada and the West Indies are included, as well as the major figures in British and American poetry. There is an effective balance between common choices (Shakespeare, Marvell, Eliot etc.), and some surprise items (Anne Finch, Anne Bradstreet).

The text breaks with tradition in that it proceeds backwards chronologically, from Seamus Heaney, Margaret Atwood and Les A. Murray to lyrics of the thirteenth and fourteenth centuries. Reversal of the usual order provides a natural introduction to earlier forms of language and styles of poetry.

The book is designed not only as a teaching anthology, but will prove a source of enjoyment for anyone inclined towards poetry. It includes a full range of poetic metres, forms and voices. Spelling and punctuation are not modernised, except to remove distractions. Footnotes and marginal glosses are provided to explain unfamiliar allusions and archaic words and usages. Brief biographical notes on each poet are given in the text to assist in locating the poet in his or her place in time.

There is also a discussion, with examples, of rhythm, metre and form.