The Metaphysical Poets

Summary

John Donne, Andrew Marvell, George Herbert, Thomas Carew, and Henry Vaughan—these were some of the seventeenth-century writers who devised a new form of poetry full of wit, intellect, and grace, which we now call metaphysical poetry. They wrote about their deepest religious feelings and their carnal pleasures in a way that was radically new and challenging to their readers. Their work was largely misunderstood or ignored for two centuries, until twentieth-century critics rediscovered it, finding in it a deep originality and a willingness to experiment that made much conventional poetry look merely decorative. This collection provides the perfect introduction to this diverse group of fascinating poets.

Included in this audiobook:

• The Anniversary by John Donne, read by Geoffrey Whitehead

• The Good Morrow by John Donne, read by Geoffrey Whitehead

• The Sun Rising by John Donne, read by Will Keen

• The Canonisation by John Donne, read by Will Keen

• A Valediction Forbidding Mourning by John Donne, read by Geoffrey Whitehead

• A Nocturnal Upon St Lucy’s Day by John Donne, read by Geoffrey Whitehead

• The Flea by John Donne, read by Will Keen

• The Relic by John Donne, read by Will Keen

• The Collar by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Redemption by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Love I by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Love II by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Love III by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Jordan I by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Jordan II by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• The Pearl by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• The Flower by George Herbert, read by Jonathan Keeble

• To His Coy Mistress by Andrew Marvell, read by Nicholas Boulton

• The Coronet by Andrew Marvell, read by Nicholas Boulton

• The Definition of Love by Andrew Marvell, read by Nicholas Boulton

• The Garden by Andrew Marvell, read by Nicholas Boulton

• On a Drop of Dew by Andrew Marvell, read by Nicholas Boulton

• The Retreat by Henry Vaughan, read by Roy McMillan

• The World by Henry Vaughan, read by Roy McMillan

• They Are All Gone Into the World of Light by Henry Vaughan, read by Roy McMillan

• To His (Supposed) Mistress by Richard Crashaw, read by Nicholas Boulton

• To Our Lord, Upon the Water Made Wine by Richard Crashaw, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Mediocrity in Love Rejected – by Thomas Carew, read by Nicholas Boulton

• To a Lady That Desired I Would Love He by Thomas Carew, read by Nicholas Boulton

• The Spring by Thomas Carew, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury – To His Watch… by Edward, Lord Herbert of Cherbury, read by Roy McMillan

• Hoc Ego Versiculos by Francis Quarles, read by Jonathan Keeble

• On Time by Francis Quarles, read by Jonathan Keeble

• On the World by Francis Quarles, read by Jonathan Keeble

• Against Love by Katherine Philips, read by Laura Paton

• John Hall – On an Hourglass by John Hall, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Thomas Traherne – Shadows in the Water by Thomas Traherne, read by Jonathan Keeble

• To Lucasta, Going to the Wars by Richard Lovelace, read by Nicholas Boulton

• The Scrutiny by Richard Lovelace, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Aubade The Lark Now Leaves… by Sir William Davenant, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Sir John Suckling – Of Thee, Kind Boy, I Ask No Red and White by Sir John Suckling, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Out Upon It, I Have Lov’d by Sir John Suckling, read by Nicholas Boulton

• Edmund Waller – Of the Last Verses in the Book by Edmund Waller (1606–1687), read by Jonathan Keeble