A Selection from the Poems of William Morris

The collection gathers verse ranging from short medieval-inspired ballads and lyric pieces to lengthy narrative poems and mythic retellings, blending classical myths and northern sagas through an intentionally archaic diction. Many pieces evoke a medieval atmosphere, reworking ancient stories into romantic frameworks, while other items present translations and adaptations of Old Norse material. Readers encounter a variety of forms and tones—cantos, tales in verse, and lyrical fragments—that emphasize ornament, landscape, and longing for an imagined past. Editorial material situates the poems within the author's evolving interests in medieval art, saga literature, and the poetic revival that shaped his later, more expansive narratives.