The Poetical Works of Edward Young, Volume 2

The volume gathers the later verses of an 18th‑century poet whose imagination sweeps from the quiet hum of everyday life to the thunderous sweep of cosmic destiny. Written in a grand, flowing style, the poems blend classical allusion with the vivid detail of England’s seas, forests and cities, inviting listeners to feel both the intimacy of a solitary voice and the sweep of an epic stage.

The opening piece, a sprawling meditation titled “The Last Day,” sketches a world poised on the brink of divine judgment. Lightning splits the night, trumpets sound through storm‑clouds, and the earth shudders as nature’s grandeur collides with humanity’s fleeting glory. Yet the speaker also pauses to admire the beauty of spring blossoms, the roar of the ocean, and the disciplined order of empires, urging the audience to confront both awe and humility before an uncertain future.