What This Collection Is
Francis Turner Palgrave gathers significant lyrical pieces of the English language into a four-volume structure. Assisted by Alfred Tennyson, Palgrave seeks to create a 'lifelong fountain' of aesthetic pleasure, moving from the pastoral songs of the 1500s to the introspective works of the early 19th century. The collection excludes dramatic and purely narrative verse, focusing instead on the single thought or emotion. By arranging the poems in 'gradations of feeling,' the anthology traces the evolution of the British poetic voice, balancing the wit of the Cavalier poets with the naturalism found in the later selections. It aims to provide the reader with a source of animation and the companionship of the wise and good in solitude.
Figures & speakers
- Francis Turner Palgrave
The primary editor and selector of the anthology's verses.
- Alfred Tennyson
The Poet Laureate who offered advice and encouragement for the work.
- Henry Hallam
The deceased historian to whom the work was originally intended for dedication.
What it's really about
- The Passage of Time
- Reflections on aging, lost youth, and the cycle of generations.
- Unrequited Love
- Persistent focus on parting, betrayal, and the pain of memory.
Why it's memorable
- A lover asking to take back his kisses as 'seals of love' used in vain.
- A traitor's grave where an eagle flaps its wings and a wolf laps blood.
Where it lands
The anthology concludes by indexing a vast range of opening lines that move from quiet sighs to nationalistic calls for maritime dominance.
For your book club
- How the four-book structure reflects the changing cultural sensibilities of different English historical eras.
- Tennyson's specific influence on which poems were deemed 'best' for a national treasury.