The Poems and Verses of Charles Dickens

A compact yet richly varied anthology, this volume gathers the poems, songs, and lyrical pieces that Charles Dickens penned alongside his more famous prose. From light‑hearted verses celebrating autumn to tender love songs and lively choruses, the collection showcases his knack for rhythm, wit, and the occasional moral note. Readers will hear the same creative spark that animates his novels, now set to music or standing alone as verse.

The book also includes the complete libretto of “The Village Coquettes,” a comic opera Dickens helped fashion in the mid‑1830s with composer John Hullah. First staged in December 1836, the work reflects Dickens’s early enthusiasm for the theatre and his talent for crafting memorable characters in song. Listening to these pieces offers a glimpse into the youthful energy that would later shape his celebrated storytelling.