This anthology contains poems written by Julian scutts. As the words quoted from Milton's cheerful poem suggest, on the surface at least many poems are humorous in tone and even jaunty. However, a close reading reveals under the surface the verses concern serious and daunting subjects, such as human mortality

"A selection of English poetry, in a chronological series, from the beginning of the sixteenth century (or, including an extract from Chaucer, from the latter part of the fourteenth) to the present time, upon a plan hitherto unattempted, at least in this country. ... No alteration (except in apparent mistakes) has been attempted either in the language or in the orthography, as as little as possible even in the punctuation, of the edition followed ... nor has any piece been inserted which had already appeared in "A Select Collection of English Songs," published in 1783"--Advertisement.

The publication of The Broadview Anthology of Seventeenth-Century Verse and Prose is a literary event; this comprehensive volume is the first anthology of the period to reflect the breadth of seventeenth-century studies in recent decades. Over one hundred writers are included, from John Chamberlain at the beginning of the century to Elisabeth Singer Rowe at its end. There are generous selections from the work of all major writers, and a representation of the work of virtually every writer of significance. The work of women writers figures prominently, with extensive selections not only from canonical writers such as Behn and Bradstreet, but also from other writers (such as Katherine Philips and Margaret Cavendish) who have been receiving considerable scholarly attention in recent years. The anthology is broadly inclusive, with writing from America as well as from the British Isles. Memoirs, letters, political texts, travel writing, prophetic literature, street ballads, and pamphlet literature are all here, as is a full representation of the literary poetry and prose of the period, including the poetry of Jonson; the prose of Bacon; the metaphysical poetry of Donne, Herbert, Marvell, and others; the lyric verse of Herrick; and substantial selections from the poetry and prose of Milton and Dryden. (While Samson Agonistes is included in its entirety, Milton’s epic poems have been excluded, in order to allow space for other works not so readily accessible elsewhere.) The editors have included complete works wherever possible. A headnote by the editors introduces each author, and each selection has been newly annotated.

This two-volume work provides some of the most anthologized material in English literature, with one difference: a number of those works are presented in their entirety to expose students to a much more comprehensive reading experience. For those who have read only simple snippets of short pieces or parts of works, these complete poems, works of drama, and prose fiction will help them to expand the depth of their reading. From Beowulf to Swift, this anthology promises to introduce a wider range of material for the reader's enjoyment. The selections are broad enough for those students who wish to explore--in some detail--the world of the writers' imagination. Included are brief author or work headnotes to aid the reader in capturing the backdrop to the authors and their works.