The Sea of Faith
Was once, too, at the full, and round earth's shore
Lay like the folds of a bright girdle furled.
But now I only hear
Its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar . . .
   

The great poet-critic of his age, Matthew Arnold (1822-1888) is now best remembered as a poet for `Dover Beath', `The Scholar Gypsy' and `Thyrsis'. Beside these well-loved and widely anthologised poems, this book places a selection of other poems in many genres, revealing the scope of a great Victorian. His best, most durable life is invested in verse of a haunting and haunted wisdom. Arnold's love for his particular England and for his friends, his longing for stability and his religious doubt form the base note of much of his poetry.

Son of Dr Arnold, headmaster of Rugby School, Matthew Arnold was himself deeply involved in education, becoming an Inspector of Schools. His impact as a poet, critic and scholar was considerable. He was Professor of Poetry at Oxford from 1857 to 1867.


KEITH SILVER, who read English at the University of Sussex and works in publishing administration, and as an editor and critic, provides a biographical and critical introduction.