This collection published in 1897 includes three poets from the late 16th century. Michael Drayton was an Elizabethan poet who wrote Idea in 1593 which was a collection of nine pastorals, in which he celebrated his own love and sorrows under the poetic name of Rowland. In 1596 Bartholomew Griffin wrote his series of sonnets called Fidessa. William Smith published a sonnet sequence Chloris or The Complaint of the passionate despised Shepheard in 1596.

Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

MICHAEL DRAYTON: IDEA: ELIZABETHAN SONNET CYCLE

Michael Drayton's 'Idea' is one of the major Elizabethan sonnet sequences, reprinted here in an attractive new edition.

'Idea' is a sonnet cycle of love poetry, and some of the finest verse in the English language.

The book includes a note on Michael Drayton, illustrations, and suggestions for further reading. Each poem has a page to itself. It's a useful edition for students.

Michael Drayton was born in 1563 in Warwickshire. He worked as a page (for Sir Henry Goodyere, an early patron, and later for Lucy, Countess...

To you those Noblest of Gentlemen, of these Renowned Kingdomes of Great Britaine: who in these declining times, haue yet in your braue bosomes the sparkes of that sprightly fire, of your couragious Ancestors; and to this houre retaine the seedes of their magnanimitie and Greatnesse, who out of the vertue of your mindes, loue and cherish neglected Poesie, the delight of Blessed soules, and the language of Angels. To you are these my Poems dedicated, By your truly affectioned Seruant, MICHAELL DRAYTON.