An Anthology of the New England Poets: from Colonial Times to the Present Day

From colonial times, through the Revolution and for over the one hundred and fifty years that followed, the lyric voice of New England has been dominant in our national poetry. The hardy strain which has continued through our entire history has retained its character while reflecting sharply changing fashions and new interests. In the three centuries sine Anne Bradstreet wrote with Puritan severity and yet with elaborate fantasy, a long and distinguished line of poets from the New England States has maintained, while constantly altering, a rich national tradition. Their roster includes a wide diversity of lyricists, moralists, revolutionists, mystics, skeptics, transcendentalists, impressionists, imagists and pastoral poets. They represent as no other regional writers the conscience and the eloquence of America. This volume is a rich harvest of verse that grew from the soil of New England. Thirty-three writers offer more than 300 poems, and each poet is generously represented. As Mr. Untermeyer says in his Foreward, The prime objective of this work is to balance the familiar with the little known, to add to the pleasure of recognition the delight of discovery."