Description
Metaphysical Lyrics and Poems of the Seventeenth Century, edited by Sir Herbert J. C. Grierson, is a landmark anthology that played a pivotal role in reviving scholarly and public interest in the metaphysical poets of the seventeenth century. First published in 1921, this influential collection gathers an impressive range of verse by over twenty-five poets, including well-known names such as John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, and Sir John Suckling.
The anthology showcases a rich tapestry of poetic forms — from love poems and elegies to satires, epistles, meditations, and divine verse. These works are known for their intellectual playfulness, bold imagery, and philosophical inquiry, grappling with themes of love, faith, mortality, and the human soul. Grierson’s insightful introductory essay, included in the volume, remains a respected commentary on the distinctive qualities and historical importance of metaphysical poetry.
A foundational text for students and lovers of English literature, Metaphysical Lyrics and Poems of the Seventeenth Century is essential reading for those interested in the origins and enduring appeal of this vibrant, often enigmatic poetic tradition.
