Synopses & Reviews
He was the finest modern poet in the English language--plus a playwright, theatre manager, politician, and passionate believer in supernatural. William Butler Yeats' writing captures all the magic and mystery of his native Ireland, and here are some 26 of his finest, most mesmerizing verses. In "The Stolen Child," fairies come in the night to entice a boy away forever to "where the wave of moonlight glosses the dim grey sands with light." Yeats claimed that a Greek folk song inspired "The Song of Wandering Aengus": the excerpt here follows Aengus on his quest to locate an enchanted girl. Visions of a fierce and terrible battle-where "unknown perishing armies beat about my ears"--emerge in "The Valley of the Black Pig," all seen in a dream. Matching the beauty of Yeats' written images are a series of exquisite and evocative paintings, which range from panoramic natural landscapes to compelling portraits of characters both human and fantastic. And, as always, this acclaimed series features fascinating biographical information, introductions to each verse, and full annotations that define difficult unfamiliar vocabulary.
Synopsis
and#147;A well-researched biographical introduction...26 works, many of which reflect the mystery and beauty of Yeatsand#8217;s native Ireland. A dramatic painting of a rocky Sligo coast accompanies and#145;The Meditation of the Old Fisherman.and#8217;and#8221;and#151;Publishers Weekly. and#147;Beautiful paintings, many full page, show landscapes, people, and animals referred to in the selections. An impressive introduction to this Nobel Prize winner.and#8221;and#151;School Library Journal.
Table of Contents
Sad shepherd --Stolen child --Meditation of the old fisherman --Lake Isle of Innisfree --To some I have talked with by the fire --Hosting of the sidhe --Fish --Song of wandering Aengus --Valley of the black pig --He wishes for the cloths of heaven --Fiddler of Dooney --Old men admiring themselves in the water --At Galway races --Running to paradise --To a child dancing in the wind --Coat --Wild swans at Coole --Irish airman foresees his death --Balloon of the mind --To a squirrel at Kyle-na-no --Hawk --Cat and the moon --Two songs of a fool --Second coming --Sailing to Byzantium --Stare's nest by my window.