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Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Poetic Movements from the 1500s. Elizabethan Poetry refers to poetry written during the 16th century, reign of Elizabeth I. Poetry was not only written in the courts but also in the taverns of England. Poets such as Shakespeare, Sir Philip Sidney, Ben Johnson and Christopher Marlow head the list. The poetry was predominately romantic but did have a range from idealism to realism and all that flows between. The English poetic forms were influenced by mostly Italian literature but also drew on Spanish and French writings. Drama in verse emerged as a popular vehicle through the works of Marlowe and Shakespeare which was respected across the continent. It was a time of experimentation when verse was used to treat subjects such as theology and science with the same affectations as romance. Poetry was popular with noblemen and peasants alike. I Must Have Wanton Poets by Christopher Marlow I must have wanton poets, pleasant wits, Musicians, that with touching of a string May draw the pliant king which way I please: Music and poetry is his delight; Therefore I'll have Italian masks by night, Sweet speeches, comedies, and pleasing shows; And in the day, when he shall walk abroad, Like sylvan nymphs my pages shall be clad; My men, like satyrs grazing on the lawns, Shall with their goat-feet dance the antic hay; Sometime a lovely boy in Dian's shape, With hair that gilds the water as it glides, Crownets of pearl about his naked arms, And in his sportful hands an olive-tree, To hide those parts which men delight to see, Shall bathe him in a spring; and there, hard by, One like Actæon, peeping through the grove, Shall by the angry goddess be transformed, And running in the likeness of an hart, By yelping hounds pull'd down, shall seem to die: Such things as these best please his majesty. Scottish Chaucerians were a group of 16th century Scottish poets influenced by the writings of Chaucer. It was a time when poets tried to create something new from what had gone before. The works of Chaucer were not their only influence. The poetry also reflected a distinct Scottish flavor, using the traditions and history of the Scots. Names of poets included King James I, Robert Henryson, William Dunbar and Gawin Douglas. To a Lady by William Dunbar SWEET rois of vertew and of gentilness, Delytsum lily of everie lustynes, Richest in bontie and in bewtie clear, And everie vertew that is wenit dear, Except onlie that ye are mercyless Into your garth this day I did persew; There saw I flowris that fresche were of hew; Baith quhyte and reid most lusty were to seyne, And halesome herbis upon stalkis greene; Yet leaf nor flowr find could I nane of rew. I doubt that Merche, with his cauld blastis keyne, Has slain this gentil herb, that I of mene; Quhois piteous death dois to my heart sic paine That I would make to plant his root againe,-- So confortand his levis unto me bene.

Explore the Craft of Writing Poetry Latin Verse Pastoral Verse - from Latin -pastor - "shepherd" is a genre of poetry that describes the beauties of an imaginary or idyllic life in the country. The original poems were filled with shepherds, peasants and nymphs frolicking. The imagery and content is simple and ideal, unfettered by the grunge of realism. Pastoral sub genres are Idylls (short pastoral poem of any form), bucolic (verse describing a more aristocratic, upper class country life including politics and philosophy), eclogue (dialogue or monologue arguing the concerns of country living, ) and georgics("how to" poetry about the work life in the country, animal husbandry, care of crops). As a poetic genre rather than a verse form the structure is at the discretion of the poet. The Passionate Shepherd to His Love (1st stanza) by Christopher Marlowe Come live with me and be my love, And we will all the pleasures prove That valleys, groves, hills, and fields, Woods or steepy mountain yields. and my version of a modern pastoral idyll (without the shepherds and nymphs): Chardonnay Summer by Judi Van Gorder The highway trickles down to a one horse country road winding with the grace of a spring filly in fall. Tall poplars line the lane as it ambles south and slows, gravel 'neath my wheels makes a crackle then a yawl. The summer day has cooled with evening's mystic cloak falling without sound on the vineyard. I'm stayed remembering green days when we walked to the gnarly oak near the vines and laughed at nothing, unafraid. Today like yesterday, the Chardonnay ripen on the vine, our initials carved in the trunk of the tree are visible still in the rough bark aged like the wine we savor now under our grape leaf canopy. A pastoral elegy is mournful funeral verse set in an idyllic country scene. In the The Old Missouri Hymnal Song Book is a song about the death of a shepherd. A town in Indiana was named for the shepherd because of these lyrics. Pastoral Elegy The Pastorela or Pastourelle (little young shepherdess) is the 12th century, Occitan-French feminine version of Pastoral verse. This thematic genre was popular among 12th century troubadours, usually telling the story of a knight and his encounter with a shepherdess and all of the possibilities that would result from such a meeting. Usually the knight was portrayed as bumbling and the sweet young shepherdess as cunning and clever. The narrative verse, is often written as if by the knight himself in the first person which one might also categorize as dramatic verse.