The Works of Lord Byron, Vol. 1. Poetry

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

8861

Title

The Works of Lord Byron, Vol. 1. Poetry

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume presents a new, revised edition of Lord Byron's early poetry, curated by Ernest Hartley Coleridge. It compiles his juvenilia, including the satirical 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers' and the sentimental 'Hours of Idleness,' alongside translations and occasional verses. The collection offers a candid glimpse into the tumultuous mind of the young poet, blending wit, romantic longing, and biting social critique.

Summary up to 500 words

This volume presents the early poetic works of Baron George Gordon Byron, meticulously edited by Ernest Hartley Coleridge to offer readers a comprehensive view of the poet's development from a 'moody stripling' into a major literary figure. The collection is arranged chronologically, beginning with 'Poems on Various Occasions,' which features anonymous 'Fugitive Pieces' alongside early signed works such as 'The Tear' and 'To Caroline.' A significant section is dedicated to 'Hours of Idleness and other Early Poems,' a compilation of youthful verses ranging from playful epigrams to serious elegies, including the poignant 'Elegy on Newstead Abbey.' The volume also prominently features 'English Bards and Scotch Reviewers,' a scathing satire directed at contemporary critics and poets, notably the Edinburgh Review. Beyond original compositions, the text includes translations from classical authors like Catullus, Horace, and Anacreon, as well as paraphrases of epic fragments. Coleridge highlights the inclusion of at least thirty hitherto unpublished poems, offering a rare glimpse into Byron's private creative process. The editorial approach is rigorous, based on a collation of manuscripts and successive editions to correct textual errors and restore the author's intended meaning. Extensive footnotes and prefaces provide essential context, clarifying allusions to historical figures like Lord Holland and Sir John Carr, and explaining references to current events such as the Regency era and the Peninsular War. By stripping away the eulogies of contemporaries, the edition invites a more intimate scrutiny of Byron's genius, serving as both a literary anthology and a historical document of early 19th-century British culture.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Poetry