Three poems by Edward de Vere - Poetry with Arthur L Wood

A new series in which I will read a few poems just for you. Comment below which poet I should read in the next episode.

Tomorrow my 'sound shield' arrives which should significantly improve the audio quality on the video.

The three poems in this video are: 'Were I A King', 'The Lively Lark Stretched Forth Her Wing' and 'If Women Could Be Fair and Yet Not Fond' by Edward de Vere, The Earl of Oxford.

My aim is to breathe life into our rich literary heritage, and to add to the tradition through my own writing. Your support helps me to continue.

If you have enjoyed my poetry readings please consider purchasing my book: 'Poems for Susan'. I will send you a signed copy!

Written during the summer lockdown, the poems tell a story of love and distance, the bond between tradition and modernity, and ultimately convey a message of hope.

In his foreword, Raymond Keene OBE writes, "Poems for Susan functions as an overview of the entire English tradition of poetic creation, in terms of varying style, rhythm, meter, rhyme and subject matter.

While poetry such as this can still be written, civilisation shall not sink, the great battle of the mind shall not be lost, and the rough beast will - along with the passionate intensity of the worst - finally be overcome".

Were I a king, I might command content,
were I obscure, unknown should be my cares,
and were I dead, no thoughts should me torment,
nor words, nor wrongs, nor loves, nor hopes, nor fears,
a doubtful choice, of three things one to crave,
a kingdom or a cottage or a grave.

-

The lively lark stretched forth her wing,
The messenger of morning bright,
And with her cheerful voice did sing
The day's approach, discharging night,
When that Aurora, blushing red,
Descried the guilt of Thetis' bed.

I went abroad to take the air,
And in the meads I met a knight,
Clad in carnation colour fair.
I did salute this gentle wight;
Of him I did his name enquire.
He sighed, and said ‘I am Desire’.

Desire I did desire to stay;
A while with him I craved to talk.
The courteous knight said me no nay,
But hand in hand with me did walk.
Then of Desire I asked again
What thing did please, and what did pain.

He smiled, and thus he answered then:
‘Desire can have no greater pain
Than for to see another man
That he desireth, to obtain;
Nor greater joy can be than this,
Than to enjoy that others miss’.

-

IF women could be fair and yet not fond,
Or that their love were firm, not fickle still,
I would not marvel that they make men bond
By service long to purchase their good will;
But when I see how frail those creatures are,
I laugh that men forget themselves so far.

To mark the choice they make, and how they change,
How oft from Phœbus they do flee to Pan;
Unsettled still, like haggards wild they range,
These gentle birds that fly from man to man;
Who would not scorn and shake them from the fist,
And let them fly, fair fools, which way they list?

Yet for our sport we fawn and flatter both,
To pass the time when nothing else can please,
And train them to our lure with subtle oath,
Till, weary of our wiles, ourselves we ease;
And then we say when we their fancy try,
To play with fools, O what a fool was I!

#Poetry #ArthurLWood #EdwardDeVere #PoetryReading

[redcrowpoetry]

I could listen to you read a shopping list. The fact that it's poetry makes me immensely happy.

[exildoc]

Now, you never cease to surprise me. As a German I might be forgiven never to have known anything from this excellent poet. Let me not praise your book again, you’d blush if I said what I truly feel about it. I’ve listened to all your recordings here, all 214 over and over again. And to the audiobook to Poems for Susan. I knew what you were capable of, but this again is one surprise of the finest and most delightful kind. I’ve heard saying, if one wants command attention to lowering the voice instead of shouting. How true! Your reading today commands attention, tickles the belly, enchants the soul. More, more, more, encore! And never mind your noisy neighbour. If you’d live next to Heathrow airport I’d not be aware of any background sound, your voice drags me into sweet trance.

[floriandiazpesantes]

Extraordinary, Arthur. Precious reading!

[ArthurLWood]

This was actually really enjoyable to record. I am excited to hear the difference when I receive my 'sound shield'. Although I enjoyed it, it was a little weird talking to camera and something I hope to get better at - please forgive my awkwardness. Remember to comment below which poet I should read in the next video. I will pick from the suggestions you make!

[laurel]

Wonderful reading as usual! One of my favorite poets is T.S. Eliot. Maybe one of his lesser-known works?

[ArthurLWood]

My book 'Poems for Susan' can be found here: I will send you a signed copy!

Your support really helps. x

[MacKenziePoet]

Well, you know, it's not easy to read these old poems, as the British theatre has forsaken verse technique many years ago. Recitation is no longer an aspect of your ordinary culture. But how very refreshing to see that young people like you definitely understand the crisis of literature caused by academic modernism—and understand the great power of lyric verse to remedy the crisis. And putting these poems "out there" goes a long way to draw attention to traditional lyric verse.

[llawyeraspannowcom]

Edward Devere for all the posers on social media " No greater joy than this, to enjoy all that others miss". Brilliant.

[ichenhsu]

Lovely reading as usual! I might as well be ordinary due to my lack of knowledge in English literature to say this well known piece... But I look forward to watching your version of 'Give thy thoughts no tongue'.

[ophelia]

Hi Arthur, I would love to hear you read Joseph Rodman Drake's 'The Culprit Fay'! Perhaps not all the verses, just verse 25, which is my favourite, if you will. Having moved from Britain, I was fascinated and relieved to find Drake, who apparently wrote 'The Culprit Fay' in reaction to an London editorial which stated that American poets knew nothing of magic, romance or enchantment! (Don't quote me on this, it's what I remember reading years ago). Ironically, I find the description of the 'Faery Prince' to be one of the most evocative and enchanting images I have ever happened upon! I can see him in my mind's eye, and will endeavour to paint him one of these days in a thousand mingled dyes!

He put his acorn helmet on;
It was plumed of the silk of the thistle down:
The corslet plate that guarded his breast
Was once the wild bee's golden vest;
His cloak, of a thousand mingled dyes,
Was formed of the wings of butterflies;
His shield was the shell of a lady-bug queen,
Studs of gold on a ground of green;
And the quivering lance which he brandished bright,
Was the sting of a wasp he had slain in fight.
Swift he bestrode his fire-fly steed;
  He bared his blade of the bent grass blue;
He drove his spurs of the cockle seed,
  And away like a glance of thought he flew,
To skim the heavens and follow far
The fiery trail of the rocket-star.

I really enjoyed your Edward de Vere recitations. A quarrelsome man by all accounts, blessed with a golden pen

[romanpaniotov]

If I may ask, then can you read "Travel"(1912) Rupert Brooke. Thank you)

[floriandiazpesantes]

Awkward that someone gave a thumb down. What, by Jupiter, could someone dislike here?