Selections from Wordsworth and Tennyson

This anthology gathers a dozen of the most frequently studied verses by two of Britain’s great poets, chosen for the Ontario Junior Matriculation syllabus of 1918. From Wordsworth you’ll hear the gentle meditation of “To the Daisy” and the rugged celebration of the shepherd’s life in “Michael,” each line echoing the quiet power of the Lake District landscape. Tennyian voices follow, with the mythic longing of “Oenone,” the timeless quest of “Morte d’Arthur,” and the reflective movement of “In Memoriam.” Together they offer a snapshot of Romantic reverence for nature and Victorian contemplation of loss and destiny.

The volume opens with a scholarly introduction and concise biographical tables that place each poem in its historical context, while helpful notes illuminate archaic language and allusions. Listeners will find the cadence of the original verses preserved, allowing the natural rhythms of each poet’s voice to shine through. Whether you are revisiting school days or discovering these classics for the first time, the selection invites a calm, thoughtful listening experience.