Sonnets on Anglo-Saxon History

by Ann Hawkshaw Narrated by Phil Benson

Overview

The history of Britain up to the Norman Conquest in the form of 100 prose commentaries, each followed by a sonnet. The commentaries set the historical scene, quoting from Bede, the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle and noted historians of the times, Hawkshaws sonnets are both imaginative and reflective, often casting new light on historical figures and events. Born in Yorkshire, Ann Hawkshaw spent much of her creative life in Manchester, where her husband John Hawkshaw was elected to Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society and, as a friend of Elizabeth Gaskell, she was drawn into the intellectual and literary circle of the city. - Summary by Phil Benson

Product Details

BN ID:	2940169131680
Publisher:	LibriVox
Publication date:	08/25/2014

Read an Excerpt

n. PROGRESS. Progress is nature's stamp on man; the mark Of his divine and his humanity; And dimly through the night of years we see Britain's first impulse onward : that strange bark Making its way across the billows dark Of unknown seas, from far Phenicia's shore, Another treasure bears than eastern store; Thoughts that the heart shall feel, words that the ear shall hark. E'en as the tropic stream bears through the tide Of icy seas the seed-grains of its home, Man hath his conscious schemes of wealth and pride, But his unconscious ones, where'er he roam, Work through the outer; o'er all life there lies The soft, deep colouring of the heavenly skies. The system of the Druids began in Britain, and passed from thence into Gaul. None of their sacred mysteries were committed to writing, although they used' the Greek character for common purposes: they believed in the immortality of the soul, and Caesar says they taught many things concerning the stars and their motions; the size of the world and its countries; the nature of things; and the force and power of the immortal gods. They were divided into three classes Druids, Bards, and Vates. chapter{Section 4III. THE DRUIDS. Man's heart could listen then, as now, and hear The voice of God that speaketh evermore; And he that hears must listen and adore; The softer tones might perish, those of fear Alone would strike upon the inward ear. The child in heart, rude sounds his bosom stirred, The harmonious under-tones passed by unheard, He bent his knee, but could not give a tear. These different tones go sweeping by us now, And stern and gentle hearts hear each a part; One veils his face before the awful brow Of a dread sovereign;one, with loving heart, Looks to a father; w...

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