Here are some of the most loved poems in the English language, chosen not merely for their popularity, but for their literary quality as well. Dating from the Middle Ages to the 20th century, these splendid poems remain evergreen in their capacity to engage our minds and refresh our spirits.

BALLADS

Lord Randal

Sir Patrick Spens

SIR THOMAS WYATF  (I 503-1542)

The Lover Showeth How He Is Forsaken of Such as He

  Sometime Enjoyed

CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE  (1564-1593)

The Passionate Shepherd to His Love

WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE  (1564-1616)

Sonnet XVIII ("Shall I compare thee to a summer's day?")

Sonnet LXXIII ("That time of year thou mayst in me

  behold")

Sonnet XCIV ("They that have power to hurt and will do

  none")

Sonnet CXVI ("Let me not to the marriage of true minds")

THOMAS NASHE  (1567-1601)

"Adieu, Farewell Earth's Bliss"

JOHN DONNE  (1572-1631)

The Good Morrow

Holy Sonnet X ("Death be not proud, though some have

  called thee")

Holy Sonnet XIV ("Batter my heart, three-person'd God;

  for, you")

BEN JONSON (1572-1637)

To Celia

On My First Son

ROBERT HERRICK  (1591-1674)

To the Virgins, to Make Much of Time

Upon Julia's Clothes

GEORGE HERBERT  (1593-1633)

Love Bade Me Welcome

EDMUND WALLER  (1606-1687)

Song ("Go, lovely Rose--")

JOHN MILTON  (1608-1674)

On His Blindness

On His Deceased Wife

SIR JOHN SUCKLING  (1609-1642)

"Why So Pale and Wan, Fond Lover?"

RICHARD LOVELACE  (1618-1658)

To Lucasta, Going to the Wars

ANDREW MARVELL (I 621-1678)

To His Coy Mistress

HENRY VAUGHAN  (1622-1695)

The Retreat

THOMAS GRAY  (1716-1771)

Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard

Ode on the Death ofa Favourite Cat, Drowned in a Tub of

  Gold Fishes

WILLIAM BLAKE '1757-1827)

The Lamb

The Sick Rose

The Tyger

London

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