Great Poets: John Masefield

ISBN: 1843797372

Author: John Masefield

Condition: New

John Masefield (1878 1967) was one of the most prolific, popular and successful poets of the twentieth century. Masefield broke upon Edwardian literature with the startling work entitled The Everlasting Mercy, a long narrative poem that described the spiritual enlightenment of a drunken poacher. Its daring and controversial use of language and form caused a literary sensation. Over the span of his lifetime, he was appointed Poet Laureate and amassed a large number of admirers, which included such high-profile names as John Betjeman, Robert Graves, and W.B. Yeats. This collection contains thirty-six poems spanning Masefields entire career from 1902 to 1967. There are poems from Salt-Water Ballads (1902) and Ballads (1903), which give examples of the poets early verse. These are followed by thrilling passages taken from the narrative poems The Everlasting Mercy, Dauber, and Reynard the Fox. The selection also includes a number of sonnets, and examples of Masefields more pastoral and reflective poetry from the 1920s, including On Growing Old, as well as his poetry on the Romans. A number of rarities that have, until now, languished in obscure publications are also included.