Microcosmography by John Earle is a remarkable collection of character sketches and moral reflections, offering a vivid portrayal of early 17th-century English society. First published in 1628, this work presents a unique blend of humor, insight, and ethical observation, capturing the virtues, follies, and idiosyncrasies of human nature in a series of short, engaging essays. Earle's writing provides a window into the lives of a wide variety of characters, from the ambitious courtier to the...

"Microcosmography" by John Earle is a fascinating exploration of human nature and society, presented through a series of vivid character sketches. Earle's keen observations and witty prose bring to life a diverse array of personalities, each representing different facets of the human experience. The book serves as both a mirror and a lens, reflecting the complexities of social interactions while providing insightful commentary on the quirks and idiosyncrasies that define individuals. Earle...

In "Anglo-Saxon Literature," John Earle meticulously examines the rich tapestry of early English writings, spanning from the poetic grandeur of Beowulf to the vivid allegories of religious texts. Earle's literary style is characterized by an engaging blend of meticulous analysis and accessible prose, offering readers both scholarly insight and a deep appreciation of the linguistic beauty of the period. His work situates Anglo-Saxon literature within its historical context, highlighting the...

TO THE MEMORY OF THE REVEREND DAVID WRIGHT, “THE GRAVE DIVINE” OF THESE PAGES, WHOSE NAME WILL LIVE IN BRISTOL

A PRELIMINARY VIEW. The Latin literature with which we are best acquainted was the result of study and imitation of Greek literature. But the old vernacular Latin was a homely and simple speech, much more like any modern language in its ways and movements than would be supposed by those who only know classical Latin. The old Latin poetry was rhythmical, and fond of alliteration. Such was the native song of the Italian Camenae, unlike the aesthetic poetry of the classical age, with its metr...

In this elegant, portable Anglo-Saxon epic, the hero Beowulf fights horrifying, ghastly monsters in his bid to save the hall of Hrothgar, King of the Danes.Composed by an anonymous Anglo-Saxon singer toward the end of the first millennium CE, Beowulf is an Old English epic tale recounting the adventures of Beowulf, a Geatish hero from present-day Sweden. He is called on by Hrothgar, King of the Danes, to defeat Grendel, th...

Stories from fishing on the Labrador coast to the fire in Nain in 1921, enjoy tales from a bygone era in Labrador.

The Tale of the Rim is an epic, adventure-fantasy in three parts with overarching themes of heroism, fidelity and sacrifice. In a richly detailed, medieval world known as the Rim, twin brothers lost as toddlers - one stolen into the Dark Realm, the other saved by a simple farmer - must inevitably meet and do battle to lay claim on a token of power and the title of King.

In their introduction to this anthology, James Bruce Ross and Mary Martin McLaughlin remind us that "no area of the past is dead if we are alive to it. The variety, the complexity, the sheer humanity of the middle ages live most meaningfully in their own authentic voices." The Portable Medieval Reader assembles an entire chorus of those voices—of kings, warriors, prelates, merchants, artisans, chroniclers, and scholars—that together convey a lively, intimate impression of ...

John Milton, whose epic poem ‘Paradise Lost’ is widely regarded as the greatest exemplar of its form in the English language, created a body of poetry and prose that reflected his strong personal convictions and passion for freedom during the political turmoil of his day. The Delphi Poets Series offers readers the works of literature's finest poets, with superior formatting. This volume presents Milton's complete poetical works, with rare texts, beautiful illustrations and the usual Delphi...

The Ecclesiastical History of the English People, written by the Venerable Bede in the 8th century, is a history of the Christian Churches in England, and of England generally; its main focus is on the conflict between the pre-Schism Roman Rite and Celtic Christianity. It was originally composed in Latin, is considered to be one of the most important original references on Anglo-Saxon history and has played a key role in the development of an English national identity. It is believed to ha...

Gerald of Wales was among the most dynamic and fascinating churchmen of the twelfth century. A member of one of the leading Norman families involved in the invasion of Ireland, he first visited there in 1183 and later returned in the entourage of Henry II. The resulting Topographia Hiberniae is an extraordinary account of his travels. Here he describes landscapes, fish, birds and animals; recounts the history of Ireland's rulers; and tells fantastical stories of magic wells and deadly whir...