Seven centuries of verse, from 1250 to 1950. Dame Helen Gardner reflects the critical consensus of the day in broadening her choices beyond those of Quiller-Couch's lyrical tastes. The anthology balances poems dealing with public events and historic occasions, poems of private life, and religious, moral.

The New Oxford Book of English Verse is now firmly established as a classic anthology of English poetry. Chosen by the distinguished scholar and critic, Dame Helen Gardner, the book makes available in one volume the full range and variety of English non-dramatic verse. Dame Helen Gardner reflected the critical consensus of the day in broadening her choices beyond those of Quiller-Couch's lyrical tastes, and the anthology balances poems that deal with public events and historic occasions with poems of private life, and religious, moral or political verse with satire and light verse. All the major poets are fully represented, and there are also superb works by lesser known poets, and many surprises among the favourites.