English Romantic Poetry

by Stanley Appelbaum (Editor), William Wordsworth, Samuel Taylor Coleridge

Encompassing a broad range of subjects, styles and moods, English poetry of the late 18th and early 19th centuries is generally classified under the term "Romantic," suggesting an emphasis on imagination and individual experiance, as well as a preoccupation with such themes as nature, death and the supernatural.

This volume contains a rich selection of poems by England's six greatest Romantic poets: William Blake (24 poems, including "The Tyger" and "Auguries of Innocence"), William Wordsworth (27 poems, including "Ode: Intimations of Immortality" and "I wandered lonely as a cloud"), Samuel Taylor Coleridge (10 poems, including "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" and "Kubla Khan"), Lord Byron (16 poems, including "The Prisoner of Chillon" and selections from Don Juan and Childe Harold's Pilgrimage), Percy Bysshe Shelley (24 poems, including "Ode to the West Wind" and "Adonais") and John Keats (22 poems, including all the great odes, "Isabelle" and "The Eve of St. Agnes").

For this edition, Stanley Appelbaum has provided a concise Introduction to the Romantic period and brief commentaries on the poets represented. The result is a carefully selected anthology that will be welcomed by lovers of poetry, students and teachers alike.

Genres: Poetry, Classics, Romanticism, Literature, Anthologies, 19th Century, British Literature

240 pages, Paperback

First published November 8, 1996

Reviews

[Benjamin Fasching-Gray · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lord Byron is kind of cheesey though. He is like a hair metal band... the lyrics are sometimes strained, and he is a total horn-dog. Coleridge is a little better, more like a pretentious stoner band or progrock thing. Wordsworth is great but then he just keeps living and turns into some old man blowhard. I have been digging William Blake for a while now, and I really want to like Shelley but it hasn't really clicked for me yet. I think I would have some different Shelley poems in here if it was up to me. Like, Revolt of Islam and Queen Mab and Mask of Anarchy... but I guess those were too long or something. Anyway, Shelley is a creep... the kind of guy who waits for his woman to fall asleep and then tiptoes over to give you a back rub. I bet he was a real Sensual Santa type. If the others are more metal, he's like R. Kelly. Keats is fantastic. I have been trying to read more poetry this year and I think I must be getting a real taste for it because I really liked Keats. Of all of them, he's the one you want to travel to the Mediterranean with and sit on the balcony watching the sun set on the waves while he coughs. He is not going to go all moony over some dark haired beauty on you or nod off or preach at you or something. It's just going to be like, man, those Greek ruins were something else, huh? Are you ready for another draught of vintage that hath been cool'd a long age in the deep-delved earth?

[Mister Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the kind of book I'm always currently reading, and one I never get tired of; yes, you can find these poems in beaucoups of textbook anthologies, but I like how this one edition focuses on, what I believe to be, the single most influential and greatest period of poetry. Wordsworth, Coleridge, Shelley, Byron, and Keats are all there, and presented in such a way, that you don't feel like you're looking for an express way exit when you're three lanes away during the 4 o'clock rush hour. This is a good edition, and the poems are certainly accessible, and the book doesn't weigh heavier than the chasis on a 57 Chevy. God, I love "Tintern Abbey" !

[robin friedman · Rating 5 out of 5]

Priceless Poetry At A Budget Price

I have had this inexpensive Dover Thrift Edition anthology of English romantic poetry for many years. I keep it on a readily accessible shelf in my office and browse in it for inspiration. It is always a pleasure during a harried and wearying day simply to hold this little volume in my hands.

The book consists of a generous selection of 123 poems from six English romantic poets: William Blake (1757 - 1827); William Wordsworth (1770 -1850); Samuel Taylor Coleridge (1772 - 1834); Lord Byron (1778-1824); Percy Shelly (1792 - 1822); and John Keats (1795 - 1821). The book also includes a short introduction by editor Stanley Appelbaum, who has edited several books in the Dover series, together with a brief sketch of each poet.

For each poet, the selections include both short and long poems. The selections are extensive enough that they go beyond the familiar and will introduce most readers to works that are likely unfamiliar to them. The Blake selections include short poems from both "Songs of Innocence and "Songs of Experience" and other short lyrics. They also include longer works such as the "Proverbs of Hell" from "The Marriage of Heaven and Hell." Blake remains my favorite poet, and it is always good to be reminded of him. For example, here is Blake's short poem, "Mock on, mock on, Voltaire, Rousseau", (p. 10) for my own edification and, I hope, to whet the reader's interest.

"Mock on, Mock on Voltaire Rousseau
Mock on Mock on! tis all in vain!
You throw the sand against the wind
And the wind blows it back again

And every sand becomes a Gem
Reflected in the beams divine
Blown back they blind the mocking Eye
But still in Israels paths they shine

The Atoms of Democritus
And Newtons Particles of light
Are sands upon the Red sea shore
Where Israels tents do shine so bright."

The Wordsworth selections include a collection of sonnets, the famous "Lines Composed a Few Miles above Tintern Abbey", and selections from "The Prelude". Coleridge's inexhaustible "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner" is given in full together with "Kubla Khan" and other works. The Byron selections include several short love lyrics, including "She walks in beauty" together with selections from "Don Juan" and "Childe Harold". The Shelley selections include the great sonnet "Ozymandias" and the "Hymn to Intellectual Beauty", "The Cloud" and "Adonais: an Elegy written on the Death of John Keats." Keats himself is represented by his four great odes and by sonnets such as "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" and "Bright Star."

As other reviewers have observed, this book includes little in the way of background, commentary, or analysis. The volume would not be suitable for scholarly purposes or, probably, for introducing high school or college students to this great poetry. But the Thrift Editions are not designed for these purposes. For readers who want an inexpensive, easy to handle and reasonably large selection of poetry from the English romantics to read from time to time and to refresh their hearts, this volume is ideal.

Robin Friedman

[Emma Papworth]

He is made one with Nature: there is heard
His voice in all her music, from the moan
Of thunder, to the song of night's sweet bird;
He is a presence to be felt and known
In darkness and in light, from herb and stone,
Spreading itself where'er that Power may move
Which has withdrawn His being to its own;
Which wields the world with never-wearied love,
Sustains it from beneath, and kindles it above.

[Dayna Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A selection of English romantic poems by such fantastic poets as William Blake, John Keats, William Wordsworth, Lord Byron, Samuel Coleridge, and Percy Bysshe Shelley. A must read for all poetry lovers.

[Jacob · Rating 4 out of 5]

Only read a handful of these, might revisit to go through some other famous ones. I gotta say though, Byron and a bunch of these other guys aren’t really for me, but Coleridge!! Holy shit! Coleridge rocks! Rime of the Ancient Mariner, I was not familiar with your game!!

[Teri-K · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of my 2023 goals is to read a little poetry or essay almost every day. I'm taking it slowly, sometimes only reading part of a poem, so I can absorb it and think about it. This small book contains selections by Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge, Byron, Shelley and Keats. I've been reading classical and modern poetry since I was a girl, and I definitely have my favorites, but this year I hope to learn to appreciate some other poets better, too. I think the point of a small collection like this, presented without notes or explanation, it to give the reader a feel for the scope of a poet. Then they can branch out from there, so I'm going to give my first reactions to each as I go along.

That didn't work with Blake - in fact he almost defeated me. I've always known I wasn't a big Blake fan, but I had a really difficult time making myself read through his section. I just don't find that his overly emotional, oh look at the poor innocent little children, style suits me. But I powered through.

What a relief to reach Wordsworth, and get to "connect the landscape with the quiet of the sky"! Tinturn Abbey felt like a lovely palate cleanser to my soul. In fact, I noticed that "My heart leaps up when I behold" Wordsworth after dining on Blake for so long.

Coleridge I mostly know because my Granddad had a folio edition of The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, and I read it a lot. (Along with lots of other classics. Thanks, Granddad!) And there's Kubla Khan, most of which my Mom could still recite from when she was a little girl. Other than that I wasn't too familiar with his works.

Byron is someone I've read growing up and in college. What caught my attention this time was one very modern line - "I'm fond of rhyme - Good workmen never quarrel with their tools." He seems to me to straddle old-fashioned and modern poetic sensibilities.

Shelley is someone I seem to mostly appreciate in certain phrases or lines - "Life's unquiet dream", "Lift not the painted veil which those who live call life", for instance.

Keats wrote some personal favorites of mine including On First Looking Into Chapman's Homer, To Autumn, When I Have Fears, and several of his Odes.

So how did my experiment go? I definitely want to keep reading Byron, Keats and Wordsworth. Blake just doesn't seem to be for me, Coleridge left me kind of "meh", and frankly Shelley puzzles me. I think if you gave me something obscure to read I wouldn't know if it was Shelley or Keats, but if I really liked it the latter would turn out to have written it. But I don't know why the difference. That's something I can look into some day. All in all this is a good collection of short and longer works by the poets if a big anthology intimidates or you just want a smaller book to tote around.

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of works was very engaging. It was almost as if the poets took me on a journey through their lives, showing the dearest aspects of it. The book manifested ghosts, fairies, and even Lady Death. The book had me enraptured by evocative language and descriptive scenes. One of my favorite poems from the book was "The Rime of the Ancient Mariner". The story shocked me. Like the wedding guest, I was held captive by the Mariner's tale. The language of the book is a little difficult, so keep a dictionary (or Mr. Google) on hand whilst reading.

[Jim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Whilst me doth like and feel a kinship with ye Romantic poets, especially Wordsworth (whose poesy a young seeker of Beauty and Truth wouldst no doubt find sublime if he wouldst but read it), their antiquated English doth at times vex and perplex me, and cause me to frown and grimace and e’en at times swoon. Nevertheless, thou canst not be a true lover of poesy if thou chooseth to read not the Romantics. So hasten thither!

[MrsAintheLibrarywiththeCoffee · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like most of this anthology. (Keats' "Basil Pot" anyone?🤦🏻‍♀️)

But I liked a few, especially:
1. Wordsworth's "We Are Seven"
2. Keats’ “To Autumn"
3. Keats' "To Mrs. Reynold's Cat"
4. Shelley's "Love's Philosophy"
5. Only a few lines from Coleridge and Byron

I just didn’t think it was a great anthology overall, and certainly not something I would want to repeat as a whole.

[Ashley · Rating 4 out of 5]

The perfect book to start reading poetry. I told my close friend who reads that I wanted to dive in to poetry and she suggested me this as a starter. This book has exposed me to various English poets and it helps me to decide what style that I like and not. I paused for while for a couple of time to highlight the ones that I love and there were plenty. A lovely book, in general.

[Daniel · Rating 2 out of 5]

ugh... (most of it)

[Lindsey Doolan · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read selections from Blake, Wordsworth, Coleridge and Keats. Doesn't really float my boat. Is this stuff supposed to be subjective?

[Christiana · Rating 4 out of 5]

Obviously, since this is an anthology, this rating is an average. Some poems I would have given 0 stars to if that were an option...others I'd love to give 10.

[Aysar Ibrahim · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love poetry , i was so amused by colrladge part and all his poemes' Blake's part didnt have that luch of his great poemes .
It was nice

[Matthew Mabry · Rating 4 out of 5]

My preference was: 1. Shelley, 2. Coleridge, 3. Keats, 4. Blake, 5. Byron, 6. Wordsworth.

[Gavin D. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Central Idea:
Didn’t really have any central idea. It was a big compilation of English poetry and nothing else so I’m going to pick one poem in the book and tell that poems central idea. The central idea of the poem Ode to Duty is that duty is a guide and empowering force. It says duty gives power to men and talks about how duty can bring direction and strength to those feeling weak and lost. The poem has lots of simile in it and I like it I wish the whole book had a subject matter though.

Figurative language:
The figurative language is everywhere in the book although it’s more of a compilation of poems. But one I saw in almost every poem has alliteration and rhyme in every poem it has a rhyme pattern. Another I saw was metaphor it wasn’t in every poem but in the longer poems there was heavy metaphor which seemed strange due to language shifts but if you are able to understand them they convey a lot of meaning and allow you a frame of reference for the poem. A simile is yet another figurative device similes like metaphors can be misunderstood due to language shifts. The book has many more figurative devices but I could go on and on about them so I’ll just say that these three are the most common figurative devices found throughout the book. I really love using alliteration and rhyme in my poems so this book helped give me ideas when writing my own poems.

Opinion:
The book has some really good poetry although most are of a more serious matter. The poems are laid in a long poem several short poems long poem pattern in the book and the long poems can be a few pages along. There’s a lot of alliteration and tons of figurative devices. The poetry is hard to understand but this isn’t the actual writing’s fault the time the poems are from use different language which creates these misunderstandings but other than this the poetry in the book is very well crafted. I wouldn’t read the book again that’s more of a personal bias I have a hard time reading poetry at all but this books poetry is good the layout of the book is my favorite thing with the book is the short poems giving you a break on long ones to show another side of English poetry

[Audrey · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Some favourite lines I noted:

"Time writes no wrinkle on thy azure brow" Lord Byron

"My sleep had been embroider'd with dim dreams" John Keats

"I was angry with my friend:
I told my wrath, my wrath did end.
I was angry with my foe:
I told it not, my wrath did grow." William Blake

"Drive my dead thoughts over the universe
Like withered leaves to quicken a new birt!
And by the incantation of this verse,
Scatter, as from an unextinguished heart
Ashes and sparks, my words among mankind!
Be through my lips to unawakened earth
The trumpet of a prophecy! O, Wind,
If Winter comes, can Spring be far behing?" Percy Bysshe Shelley

[Joanne Diaz · Rating 4 out of 5]

English romantic poetry from the romanticism era was great. I now have a deeper appreciation for this era of poetry. I loved how the artists incorporated nature, death, and supernatural elements. I enjoyed how intertwined the poems were with how they felt or how others felt and feel today. This is an excerpt of one of the wonderful incorporation, forms found in this book: "Success is counted sweetest by those who ne'er succeed." from the poem "Success is counted sweetest" by Emily Dickinson. This book is one book I would recommend to a friend. I give this book a four out of five stars.

[sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

the other side of the coin of gothic lit— same effulgent writing, brimming with emotion and sensuality— just dealing with things that are perhaps a bit more hopeful; also great set up for me to dive into A.S. Byatt’s Possession which has been patiently sitting on my shelf for quite some time now and sitting on my TBR for longer, I think getting familiar with some classic lit from the great commonwealth like Keats, Milton, Tennyson and maybe some Chaucer will help me really immerse myself in Possession and have a fuller experience

cheers to my rambling self set syllabus!

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

It seems poignant that I finished this complete anthology on Ash Wednesday 2022. This has been on my shelf since college, and I have some old notes in my copy from where the teacher tried to explain the poems. Honestly, I couldn’t give it away unless I knew some English major really needs a jumpstart on how to read English Romantic Poetry.

[Steven Severance · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a hard book to get through because there are so many awful long poems in it. However, there are also some excellent ones.
The anthology covers the 6 major English romatic poets.
Blake
Wordsworth
Coleridge
Bryon
Shelley ((a truely horrible poet))
Keats.
Keats is far and away my favorite. The other five poets average only one or two really good poems in their alloted section.

[Eliza · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love myself some good romantic era poetry. I only really loved two poets (Lord Byron and Samuel Taylor Coleridge)
I don’t like how this book is organized because it makes it so hard to read and keep motivated.
However, there are some really nice poems if you’re willing to look for them and if you don’t get distracted super easily.

[Paige · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Rough wind, that moanest loud
Grief too sad for song;
Wild wind, when sullen cloud
Knells all the night long;
Sad storm whose tears are vain,
Bare woods, whose branches strain,
Deep caves and dreary main,--
Wail, for the world’s wrong!

[Cheryl Walsh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Nice anthology of some of the most iconic romantic poetry, by the six most revered English romantic poets (all men, alas). The commentary is helpful and unobtrusive, with interesting (sometime enthusiastic) recommendations for further reading.

[LKay · Rating 1 out of 5]

Cracked this open on a plane ride to find that this was not at all the kind of poetry I was expecting, and there wasn’t much for me to enjoy within this anthology. There were very few poems/lines that stood out or resonated with me, and for the most part I just could not relate.

[Victoria · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5/5

Enjoyed this mix of romantic poets, especially loved the poems describing nature. Definitely needed to take my time to fully grasp each poem with the older language being used but that lended to a deeper understanding of each piece. Just didn’t mesh with a good bit of the poems.

[Emma · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gosh, I love Keats.

[Aaron Hollander · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great primer into the major figures of the Romantic poetic tradition, and inspiring for further reading.

[Sillysiri · Rating 4 out of 5]

While some of these were absolutely stunning, Wordsworth's "The Daffodils" and Byron's "The Prisoner of Chillon", I don't necessarily think that the English romantics are my cup of tea.