Customer Reviews

The Cavalier Poets: An Anthology (Dover Thrift Editions)

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This is how the back book-jacket describes the book, " In the mid- seventeenth century, the poets associated with the court of Charles I of England, kinown as the Cavaliers, were strongly influenced by the Cassicism of Ben Jonson. Their verse , often concerned with the vagaries of love, is characteristically charming, witty, graceful and elegant. This volume contains a rich sampling of more than 120 works by four Cavalier poets: Robert Herrick, Thomas Carew, Sir John Suckling and Richard Lovelace.
The work also contains brief biographical sketches of the four poets. Among the works are such well- known often anthologized pieces as Herrick's ' Gather ye rosebuds while ye may' , Suckling's'Why so Pale and Wan Fair Lover? ' Carew's ' A Cruel Mistress' Herrick's ' Delight in Disorder', Lovelace's 'Lucasta poems'.
Enjoyable reading.

An anthology of English poems that explores the patriotism, triumphalism, and eroticism of professional soldiers. A treasure. I heartily recommend it.

Ben Jonson was the ideal Cavalier poet and died in 1637. Robert Herrick was one of his ardent followers. This was a great era for 'carpe diem' poetry. Herrick added 'joie de vivre' to amorous songs, and some of his poetry don't sound like they were written by an Episcopal minister.

Thomas Carew was an admirer of John Donne who fathered the metaphysical form of writing poems. His society verses were popular with the nobility, prized for their petulant wit. He made an important contribution to the 17th century genre of poems about country homes, an important aspect of the Cavalier poets repertoire.

Most of John Suckling's poems were published in a posthumous volume after he committed suicide in 1642. His verse smacks of the court, being witty, decorous, sometimes naughty; all requisites for the courtier poet. Though his 'oeuvre' is comparitively small, he is an exemplary lyric poet, as well as one of the most vivid personalities of his age. They all prevaricated and exaggered, as was common at the time, but they were favorites of the court of King Charles, the essential Cavalier of them all.

Richard Lovelace spent much time in prison but he wrote lovely, lyrical poetry and uniquely philosophical views which saw him to his untimely death in poverty. His poems display the poet's subtle sense of humor and eye for natural imagery. This is a nice little volume for the student of literature.

Great collection of the works of many authors in Europe. Herrick, Lovelace, and more.