Solitude An Ode by Alexander Pope
Solitude: An Ode by Alexander Pope I How happy he, who free from care The rage of courts, and noise of towns; Contented breaths his native air, In his own grounds. II...
Category: Poetry
James Russell Lowell Biography (1911)
Family history and childhood Early work and romance Literature, reform, and family life The Biglow Papers Family tragedies Teaching and traveling The Atlantic Monthly Work abroad End of life Overview of writings and influence...
Elizabeth Barrett Browning Biography (1911)
Family history and upbringing Meeting other poets Health troubles Praise and correspondence Browning’s courtship A secret wedding Published poetry Politics and posterity “God took her” Overview of married life and poetry Sources Family history...
Robert Browning Biography (1911)
Robert Browning Biography Family background Early career & personality First major poems (Paracelsus and Sordello) Dramatic works Expanding poetic repertoire Marriage Browning’s masterpiece: The Ring and the Book Growing fame Later writings Beliefs (religious...
How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix by Robert Browning
“How They Brought the Good News from Ghent to Aix” is a vivid and evocative story poem is characteristic of Robert Browning’s dramatic verse. In the first video at the bottom of this post, he...
Fable for Critics Poe to Lowell
A Fable for Critics [Poe to Lowell] by James Russell Lowell Famous writers mentioned in this section—click on the name to move to that part of the poem: Edgar Allan Poe: a writer famous...
Fable for Critics Whittier to Cooper
A Fable for Critics [Whittier to Cooper] by James Russell Lowell Famous writers mentioned in this section—click on the name to move to that part of the poem: John Greenleaf Whittier: learn more about...
Fable for Critics Introduction
A Fable for Critics [Introduction] by James Russell Lowell Phoebus, sitting one day in a laurel-tree’s shade, Was reminded of Daphne, of whom it was made, For the god being one day too warm...
Fable for Critics Emerson to Bryant
A Fable for Critics [Emerson to Bryant] by James Russell Lowell Famous writers mentioned in this section—click on the name to move to that part of the poem: Ralph Waldo Emerson (learn more about...
Verses upon the Burning of Our House by Anne Bradstreet
In this heartfelt poem, Anne Bradstreet muses upon the emotions she experienced during and after the catastrophic fire that consumed her family’s home. Verses upon the Burning of Our House, July 18th, 1666 by...
To My Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet
In this deeply personal and moving poem, Anne Bradstreet writes lovingly of her husband. To My Dear and Loving Husband by Anne Bradstreet 1 If ever two were one, then surely we. 2 If...
The Prologue – A Poem by Anne Bradstreet
The Prologue A poem by Anne Bradstreet 1 To sing of Wars, of Captains, and of Kings, 2 Of Cities founded, Common-wealths begun, 3 For my mean Pen are too superior things; 4 Or...
In Reference to Her Children by Anne Bradstreet
In Reference to Her Children, 23 June 1659 by Anne Bradstreet 1 I had eight birds hatcht in one nest, 2 Four Cocks were there, and Hens the rest. 3 I nurst them up...
In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess Queen Elizabeth by Anne Bradstreet
In Honour of that High and Mighty Princess, Queen Elizabeth by Anne Bradstreet Proem. Although great Queen, thou now in silence lie, Yet thy loud Herald Fame, doth to the sky Thy wondrous worth...
The Four Ages of Man by Anne Bradstreet
The Four Ages of Man by Anne Bradstreet [Introduction] Childhood Youth Middle Age Old Age [Introduction] 1.1 Lo now! four other acts upon the stage, 1.2 Childhood, and Youth, the Manly, and Old-age. 1.3 ...
The Flesh and the Spirit by Anne Bradstreet
The Flesh and the Spirit by Anne Bradstreet In secret place where once I stood Close by the Banks of Lacrim flood, I heard two sisters reason on Things that are past and things...
A Dialogue between Old England and New by Anne Bradstreet
A Dialogue between Old England and New by Anne Bradstreet New England. Alas, dear Mother, fairest Queen and best, With honour, wealth, and peace happy and blest, What ails thee hang thy head, and...
Contemplations by Anne Bradstreet
Contemplations by Anne Bradstreet 1 Sometime now past in the Autumnal Tide, 2 When Ph{oe}bus wanted but one hour to bed, 3 The trees all richly clad, yet void of pride, 4 Were gilded...
By Night when Others Soundly Slept by Anne Bradstreet
By Night when Others Soundly Slept by Anne Bradstreet (1612 – 1672) 1 By night when others soundly slept 2 And hath at once both ease and Rest, 3 My waking eyes were open...
A Fable for Critics by James Russell Lowell
James Russell Lowell’s “A Fable for Critics” (1848) is a funny introduction to many of the nineteenth-century poets and writers. Since the entire poem is very long — it’s really a whole book —...
Anne Bradstreet Poetry
Anne Bradstreet poetry Anne Bradstreet (1612-1672) was one of the first American poets, and her life and work evoke a vivid picture of Colonial America and reflect her Puritan faith and love for her family....
The Author to Her Book by Anne Bradstreet
The Author to Her Book By Anne Bradstreet 1 Thou ill-form’d offspring of my feeble brain, 2 Who after birth did’st by my side remain, 3 Till snatcht from thence by friends, less wise...
The Jumblies by Edward Lear
THE JUMBLIES by Edward Lear I. They went to sea in a Sieve, they did, In a Sieve they went to sea: In spite of all their friends could say, On a winter’s morn,...
The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll
The Walrus and the Carpenter by Lewis Carroll “The sun was shining on the sea, Shining with all his might: He did his very best to make The billows smooth and bright— And this...
Victor Hugo Resources
Victor Hugo (1802-1885) was a beloved and enduring French novelist, playwright, and poet. His classic book Les Misérables inspired the stage musical of the same name. Learn more about Victor Hugo and his work...
Boaz Asleep by Victor Hugo
BOAZ ASLEEP (“Booz s’était couché.”) by Victor Hugo Translation by BP. ALEXANDER [original French is below the English] from Hugo’s volume of poems, La Légende des siècles collected in Poems by Victor Hugo, 1888...
Victor Hugo Poem Read Aloud
Listen to one of Victor Hugo’s poems in French (Demain dès l’aube), read aloud by Lorenzo Diprossimo. If you want to read the English translation, it scrolls along the bottom–this is easiest to view...
The Haunted Oak by Paul Dunbar
THE HAUNTED OAK by Paul Laurence Dunbar Pray why are you so bare, so bare, Oh, bough of the old oak-tree; And why, when I go through the shade you throw, Runs a shudder...
Ships That Pass in the Night by Paul Dunbar
SHIPS THAT PASS IN THE NIGHT by Paul Laurence Dunbar Out in the sky the great dark clouds are massing; I look far out into the pregnant night, Where I can hear a solemn...
Lycidas by John Milton
English poet John Milton wrote this pastoral elegy in mourning for a childhood friend. It is saturated throughout with classical allusions, so it’s best to read it with a Dictionary of Allusions close at...
