Book of Celtic Verse, The: A Treasury of Poetry, Dreams & Visions

by John Matthews

The Celts have always loved words. They called their earliest bards “carpenters of song” and “people of skill,” and they established a tradition that began with the intricate magical poems of Taliesin in the sixth century AD, continued in the richly textured medieval works of Dafyff ab Gwilym and Rhys Goch and the taut nineteenth century lyrics of Gerard Manley Hopkins, and led the way into the outpouring of twentieth-century works by writers such as R.J. Stewart, Robin Williamson, and Catherine Fisher. Alongside these are a legion of Celtic songsmiths who have carried the torch of versecraft and vision into our time.

John Matthews has chosen the finest works by these writers, and has translated many of the oldest in insightful new versions for this volume. He includes work by writers from all periods and all places in the Celtic world—Brittany, Cornwall, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland—some of which have never before been collected on a volume of this kind. His selection reflects aspects of the Celtic tradition that are unique to these people: a love of nature, courage and the rich heritage of myth, legend, magic, and the spirituality that is among the finest in the world.

Genres: Poetry, History, Irish Literature, Mythology, Nonfiction

246 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

John Matthews is an historian, folklorist and author. He has been a full time writer since 1980 and has produced over ninety books on the Arthurian Legends and Grail Studies, as well as short stories and a volume of poetry. He has devoted much of the past thirty years to the study of Arthurian Traditions and myth in general. His best known and most widely read works are ‘Pirates’ (Carlton/Atheneum), No 1 children’s book on the New York Times Review best-seller list for 22 weeks in 2006, ‘The Grail, Quest for Eternal Life’ (Thames & Hudson, 1981) ‘The Encyclopaedia of Celtic Wisdom’ (Element, 1994) and ‘The Winter Solstice’ (Quest Books, 1999) which won the Benjamin Franklin Award for that year. His book ‘Celtic Warrior Chiefs’ was a New York Public Library recommended title for young people.

Reviews

[Justin Wiggins · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of the best volumes of poetry that I have ever read in my life. I was delighted to see that there were two by the great Scottish writer George MacDonald. This is a must read for those who are fascinated by Celtic mythology, spirituality, and history.

[Natalie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm kind of obbsessed with all things Celtic (it's the whimsy in me) and so when I saw this book on the bargain shelf at Barnes and Noble I snatched it up quick.

The poems are from all centuries (Some even BC!) and from all different kinds of authors. I thought many of them were beautifully written. The one section I didn't like was the "Warriors and Warlords" chapter. Poems about fighting and the "prowess of men" are just not amusing to me.

Even though I'm feeling lazy, I'll type excerpts from some of my favorite poems, just to give you a taste:

A White Rose
John Boyle O'Reilly (1844-1890)

The red rose whispers of passion,
And the white rose breathes of love;
Oh, the red rose is a falcon,
And the white rose is a dove.

But I send you a cream-white rosebud
With a flush on its petal tips;
For the love that is purest and sweetest
Has a kiss of desire on the lips.


Pangur Ban
Anon - 9th century

I and Pangur Ban my cat,
Tis a like task we are at:
Hunting mice is his delight
Hunting words I sit all night.

Better far than praise of men
Tis to sit with book and pen;
Pangur bears me no ill will,
He too plies his simple skill.


Silences
Iolo Aneurin Williams (1890-1962)

The sun has charmed our hearts,
Our sense, to tranquility,-
Quiet as weeds in the river
Or the little owl in the tree.


The Deer's Cry
Anon (9th Century)

I arise to day
Through the strength of heaven:
Light of sun,
Radiance of moon,
Splendour of fire,
Speed of lightening,
Swiftness of wind,
Depth of sea,
Stability of earth,
Firmness of rock.


Poetry is a great break sometimes. I'm glad I got this book!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

A collection of poetry written about Celtic mythologies, heroes, and lands.

My favourite lines are:

"I sing the alchemy of the dead and the unborn/I sing the dark origins of the rising year" (29)

"A vitalised symbol/Of earth and of storm/Of Chaos contracted/To intricate form" (71 )

"Moon whiteness piercing/eyes and heart together/fixed, in icy bitter glow" (86)

"Either take all, or all restore/Bind me at least, or set me free" (112)

"Who wins his love shall lose her/Who loses her shall gain/For still the spirit woos her" (131)

[UnControlled Pen · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you enjoy great connecting rhyming and beautiful imagery, you would probably enjoy this book. If the reader is not familiar with the Celtic mythology, like Merlin and so forth, the writing itself will guide you.
It’s great that these poems are written in wonderful connecting rhyming, and about the Celtic and it times, yet, the best part is how the imagery reveals much insight on the surrounding nature.
Overall this is a great read because of the skillful writing with rhyming and imagery.

[Katie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Brilliant book of old celtic poems and incantations.
Favourite lines were:

"Forceful is the Fruitful Sea"--Amairgin, 2nd century BC

"I sing the alchemy of the dead and the unborn. I sing the dark origins of the rising year"-- Robin Williamson, 1943

"I know star-knowledge from the beginning of time"--Taliesin, 6th century AD

"A blossom swings by the high queen's fortress, under the still green tideless sea, the rose of silence and night"--Ella Young, 1867

"Moon whiteness piercing, eyes and heart together. fixed, in icy bitter glow"--JR Steuart, 1949

So many beautiful lines that make my head swim. A wonderful book for my poetry collection.

[Lee McKerracher · Rating 4 out of 5]

I don't usually read poetry but was intrigued by this little book of Celtic verse.

It contains a broad range of works from poets across the ages and I found them fascinating and enchanting. I tended to read one or two per day and try to absorb the work and think about its broader meaning, which I think made the whole experience of the book that much better.

Reading a poem or two at the end of the day was a great way to experience this book.

[Megan]

DNS 7/15/2021

[Reading For Sanity · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read this review and others at https://www.readingforsanity.com/2022...

[Erik · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good collection of poetry but probably not something I'd ever come back to.

[Jessie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This had such beautiful works of poetry. I loved the mix of past and current works and the way they were grouped - magic, nature, love, war, and spiritual - was really cool. Beautiful, beautiful works.

[Stephanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was pretty good. I think I liked the Love poems and Warrior sections the most. I kind of wish that I had been keeping track of the ones that I really liked, but it's ok. The book is going to be on my self for forever anyways :)

[C.R. Richards · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful collection of beautiful verse.