Subject
Fairy poetry, English Books
Best books
Walter De la Mare
Down-adown-derry : $b a book of fairy poems
"Down-Adown-Derry: A Book of Fairy Poems" by Walter De la Mare is a charming collection of fairy poems written in the early 20th century, specifically published in 1922. The book explores the enchanting world of fairies, witches, and magical creatures, immersing readers in a whimsical and dreamlike atmosphere. The collection is characterized by its lyrical quality, rich imagery, and the celebration of nature's beauty and mystery. The poems in this collection range from delightful encounters with fairies dancing in moonlit meadows to the haunting allure of witches and the mysterious realms they inhabit. Each poem captures the essence of childhood wonder and the timeless appeal of fairy tales, delving into themes of longing, enchantment, and the bittersweet nature of dreams. The illustrations by Dorothy P. Lathrop complement De la Mare's evocative verses, bringing the fairy realm to life. Overall, "Down-Adown-Derry" captures the magic and innocence of youth, making it a captivating read for both children and adults who cherish the beauty of imagination.
Unknown
Elfin music : $b An anthology of English fairy poetry
"Elfin music : An anthology of English fairy poetry" by Waite and Sharp is a collection of poetry written in the late 19th century. The volume gathers English-language fairy verse across roughly six centuries, curated and introduced to explore the lore, landscapes, and figures of Faërie. It foregrounds iconic beings such as Oberon, Titania, Puck, and Queen Mab alongside sprites, pixies, water-nymphs, and mermaids, arranged in themed sections that move from vistas of Fairyland to chronicles, travels, and human–fairy encounters. The opening of this anthology presents Arthur Edward Waite’s substantial introduction, which traces a contemporary revival of the romantic and supernatural in poetry; the etymology of “fairy” from Latin via French romance; and the blending of French, Teutonic, Celtic, and classical traditions into England’s elfin mythology. Waite contrasts lineages and beliefs (from Spenser’s elfin emperors to Shakespeare’s Indian-threaded lore), debates fairy stature and religion, and sketches the elfin court—Oberon, Titania/Mab, and Robin Goodfellow—alongside a taxonomy of land, sea, and underworld spirits. He retells key medieval romances—“Orfeo and Heurodis” and “The Knight Launfal”—to show how mortals journey into Fairyland, and explains the book’s thematic arrangement. After this, the selections begin with Poe’s dreamlike “Fairyland” and Hemans’s invocation to recall the elves, followed by portraits of the fairy family: Spenser’s dynastic rolls, Steward’s dressing of Oberon, Jonson’s and Shakespeare’s Queen Mab and lullaby for Titania, Puck’s fleet song, and Herrick’s playful fairy chapels and feasts. Early pieces also widen the realm to pixies, water sprites, and mermaids, setting a lyrical, otherworldly tone for the sections that follow.
Walter Crane
A floral fantasy in an old English garden
"A Floral Fantasy in an Old English Garden" by Walter Crane is a beautifully illustrated collection of poems, likely written in the late 19th century. This work combines vivid descriptions of flowers and garden scenes with whimsical verse, creating a lyrical homage to the charm of an English garden and its floral inhabitants. The book reflects the artistic trends of the Victorian era, blending nature and fantasy in a way that enchants readers. The content of the book invites readers on a fantastical journey through an old English garden, where flowers are personified as characters engaging in human-like activities and interactions. Each flower is presented with a unique identity, often associated with human behaviors or societal roles, emphasizing the connection between nature and the human experience. The verses capture a variety of scenes, from romantic encounters to playful gatherings among the flowers, all set against the backdrop of a lush garden. The charming illustrations convey the beauty and whimsy of the garden, enhancing the enchanting atmosphere that Crane masterfully crafts throughout the collection.
Rose Fyleman
The fairy flute
"The fairy flute by Rose Fyleman" is a collection of children’s poems written in the early 20th century. The book revels in fairies and everyday magic, offering playful lore, gentle advice, and nature-rich scenes that invite young readers to notice enchantment in gardens, fields, and city streets. The verses show how to greet fairies, describe their dances and music, and reveal traces of them at dawn, in orchards, and along rainy lanes. Brief tales introduce a fairy tailor, a cat who is really a prince, a canary who was once a singing fairy, witches and a goblin out junketing, and “willow princesses” swaying in the trees. Set pieces include a green loch where fairies bathe, a skylark ride, a moonlit voyage in a glass boat, a fairy ball, and the magical flute whose tune charms birds, flowers, and townsfolk. Sprinkled through are lullabies, hints and rules, comic turns (a child’s temper “blows out” the moon), and closing pieces where fairies complain about stolen mushrooms and give thanks to kind gardeners—blending wonder, warmth, and light-hearted morals.
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