New Collected Rhymes

A lively anthology of verse, this collection gathers the poet’s whimsical rhymes, jaunty ballads, and sprightly folk songs into a single, unpretentious volume. The pieces drift between the intimate and the grand‑hearted, from modest “Loyal Lyrics” that celebrate roses and royal names to spirited narratives of lost ships and historic battles. The language is deliberately lean, allowing each stanza’s cadence to echo the cadence of a minstrel’s tavern tune.

Interwoven throughout are vivid sketches of Jacobite reverie, French courtly pageantry, and breezy cricket chants, all filtered through a gently mocking yet affectionate lens. The poet’s voice flits between earnest nostalgia for a bygone golden age and playful satire of contemporary pretensions, inviting listeners to linger over the rhythm of a bygone world. Whether you are drawn to the romanticized “Young Ruthven,” the nautical legend of the “Queen of Spain,” or the cheeky “Cricketers’ Ballade,” the collection offers a charming auditory tapestry that feels both timeless and immediately approachable.