Books

London: [Poems] Printed by M.F. for John Marriot, 1633; [Juvenilia] Printed by E.P. for Henry Seyle,, 1633. Nothing else is First edition of Donne's collected poems, issued two years after his death, and representing the first printing of some of the greatest poems in the English language, including "A Valediction Forbidding Mourning", "The Good Morrow", "The Sunne Rising", and "The Flea". It is here bound in contemporary calf with the second edition of his Paradoxes and Problems, published the same year as the first. Though his poems were widely circulated in manuscript in his time, Donne rarely published them in print, and regretted the few small pieces he did: "the fault that I acknowledge in my self, is to have descended to print any thing in verse" (Donne, Letters to Severall Persons of Honour). Donne wrote most of his poems in the 1590s, when he was in his twenties; in his later years, as Dean of St Paul's, he was anxious to emphasize that those early works were…

"Poems" by John Keats, published in 1817, marks the initial foray of the celebrated Romantic poet into the literary world. This collection encompasses a diverse array of poems that encapsulate Keats's exploration of themes such as nature, beauty, love, and the transient nature of life. Among the notable pieces in this collection are Keats's renowned odes, including "Ode to a Nightingale," where he delves into the contrast between the immortal beauty of art and the transient nature of human existence. In "Ode on a Grecian Urn," he muses on the eternal nature of art and its ability to capture moments frozen in time. The collection also features his sonnets, showcasing Keats's skill in capturing complex emotions and sentiments in a concise yet evocative form. Poems like "On First Looking into Chapman's Homer" express his awe and exhilaration upon discovering Homer's works through the translation by George Chapman. Keats's appreciation for the beauty of the natural world is evident throughout the collection. His vivid descriptions and sensuous imagery in poems such as "To Autumn" paint a captivating picture of seasonal beauty, showcasing his ability to intertwine the human experience with the splendor of nature. The themes of love and desire permeate several of Keats's works in this collection. Poems like "Bright Star" express his longing for enduring love and immortal fame, while "La Belle Dame sans Merci" explores the enchantment and peril of romantic entanglement. "Poems" serves as a testament to Keats's remarkable poetic talent, displaying his mastery of language, vivid imagery, and profound exploration of universal themes. Although this collection initially received mixed reviews and modest recognition during Keats's lifetime, it has since solidified his reputation as one of the most influential and revered poets in English literature. His rich and evocative verses continue to resonate with readers, captivating them with their emotional depth and timeless beauty.