Daffodils
by William WordsworthI wandered lonely as a cloud That floats on high o’er vales and hills, When all at once I saw a crowd, A host, of golden daffodils; Beside the lake, beneath the trees, Fluttering and dancing in the breeze. Continuous as the stars that shine And twinkle on the milky way, They stretched in never-ending line Along the margin of a bay: Ten thousand I saw at a glance, Tossing their heads in sprightly dance. The waves beside them danced; but they Out-did the sparkling waves in glee: A poet could not but be gay, In such a jocund company: I gazed—and gazed—but little thought What wealth the show to me had brought: For oft, when on my couch I lie In vacant or in pensive mood, They flash upon that inward eye Which is the bliss of solitude;
The Charge of the Light Brigade
by Alfred Lord TennysonHalf a league, half a league, Half a league onward, All in the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade! Charge for the guns!” he said. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred. “Forward, the Light Brigade!” Was there a man dismayed? Not tho’ the soldier knew Someone had blundered. Theirs not to make reply, Theirs not to reason why, Theirs but to do and die. Into the valley of Death Rode the six hundred.
If—
by Rudyard KiplingIf you can keep your head when all about you Are losing theirs and blaming it on you, If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you, But make allowance for their doubting too; Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it, And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!
The Tyger
by William BlakeTyger Tyger, burning bright, In the forests of the night; What immortal hand or eye, Could frame thy fearful symmetry? In what distant deeps or skies. Burnt the fire of thine eyes? On what wings dare he aspire? What the hand, dare seize the fire? And what shoulder, & what art, Could twist the sinews of thy heart? And when thy heart began to beat, What dread hand? & what dread feet? What the hammer? what the chain, In what furnace was thy brain? What the anvil? what dread grasp, Dare its deadly terrors clasp! When the stars threw down their spears And water’d heaven with their tears: Did he smile his work to see? Did he who made the Lamb make thee? Tyger Tyger burning bright, In the forests of the night: What immortal hand or eye, Dare frame thy fearful symmetry?
Ode to a Nightingale
by John KeatsMy heart aches, and a drowsy numbness pains My sense, as though of hemlock I had drunk, Or emptied some dull opiate to the drains One minute past, and Lethe-wards had sunk: ‘Tis not through envy of thy happy lot, But being too happy in thine happiness,— That thou, light-winged Dryad of the trees In some melodious plot Of beechen green, and shadows numberless, Singest of summer in full-throated ease.
A Red, Red Rose
by Robert BurnsO my Luve’s like a red, red rose That’s newly sprung in June: O my Luve’s like the melodie That’s sweetly played in tune. As fair art thou, my bonnie lass, So deep in luve am I; And I will luve thee still, my dear, Till a’ the seas gang dry. Till a’ the seas gang dry, my dear, And the rocks melt wi’ the sun: I will luve thee still, my dear, While the sands o’ life shall run. And fare thee weel, my only Luve! And fare thee weel awhile! And I will come again, my Luve, Though it were ten thousand mile.
A Fairy Song
by William ShakespeareOver hill, over dale, Thorough bush, thorough brier, Over park, over pale, Thorough flood, thorough fire! I do wander everywhere, Swifter than the moon’s sphere; And I serve the Fairy Queen, To dew her orbs upon the green; The cowslips tall her pensioners be; In their gold coats spots you see; Those be rubies, fairy favours; In those freckles live their savours; I must go seek some dewdrops here, And hang a pearl in every cowslip’s ear.
A Madrigal
by William ShakespeareCrabbed Age and Youth Cannot live together: Youth is full of pleasance, Age is full of care; Youth like summer morn, Age like winter weather; Youth like summer brave, Age like winter bare: Youth is full of sports, Age’s breath is short, Youth is nimble, Age is lame: Youth is hot and bold, Age is weak and cold, Youth is wild, and Age is tame:- Age, I do abhor thee; Youth, I do adore thee; O! my Love, my Love is young! Age, I do defy thee- O sweet shepherd, hie thee, For methinks thou stay’st too long.
Dirge of the Three Queens
by William ShakespeareURNS and odours bring away! Vapours, sighs, darken the day! Our dole more deadly looks than dying; Balms and gums and heavy cheers, Sacred vials fill’d with tears, And clamours through the wild air flying! Come, all sad and solemn shows, That are quick-eyed Pleasure’s foes! We convent naught else but woes.
John Donne
John Donne (1572–1631) was a leading figure of the metaphysical poetry movement, celebrated for his intricate language and profound themes of love, death, and spirituality. His work often blurs the boundaries between the sacred and the profane, employing striking metaphors and intellectual wit. Donne’s poems, particularly his sonnets, explore the complexities of human relationships and the nature of divine love, establishing him as a unique voice in English literature.
John Milton
John Milton (1608–1674) was a pivotal English poet and intellectual, renowned for his epic poetry and complex exploration of themes like free will, religion, and human nature. Best known for his masterpiece “Paradise Lost,” Milton’s work reflects his staunch Puritan beliefs and profound understanding of classical literature. His innovative use of blank verse and intricate imagery has established him as a towering figure in English literature.
William Blake
William Blake (1757–1827) was a visionary poet and artist, celebrated for his imaginative works that explore the complexities of human experience, spirituality, and social critique. Blake’s unique blend of poetry and visual art challenged conventional thought and sought to inspire deep emotional and intellectual responses. His innovative use of symbolism and myth continues to influence literature and art, marking him as a key figure in the Romantic movement.
Elizabeth Barrett Browning
Elizabeth Barrett Browning (1806–1861) was a prominent Victorian poet known for her passionate and innovative verse. Her poetry often addressed themes of love, social injustice, and women’s rights. She gained widespread acclaim with her collection “Sonnets from the Portuguese,” where her exploration of romantic love stands out. Browning’s influence extends beyond her time, inspiring future generations of poets.
T. S. Eliot
T. S. Eliot (1888–1965) was a groundbreaking modernist poet and critic whose work reshaped 20th-century literature. His innovative use of form and structure, along with his exploration of fragmentation and disillusionment, marks a significant departure from traditional poetic conventions. Eliot’s profound impact on literature extends to his role as a critic and a key figure in modernist poetry.
Warsan Shire
Warsan Shire (1988) is a British-Somali poet and activist renowned for her evocative and poignant poetry that explores themes of identity, displacement, and womanhood. Her works reflect her experiences as an immigrant, delving into the intricacies of cultural heritage and personal trauma. Shire’s unique voice and perspective resonate with readers, making her a significant figure in contemporary poetry.