George Turberville

This book newly corrected, with additions and set out by George Turbervile, Gentleman, was printed in 1567 and contains 165 of his poems and epigrams. Reading through the poems today I think he should have been nick named George Turgidville. He is a poet who would never use one line when five lines would do. He was much admired at the time, because he could smooth out the metres, he could make his poems read well. He was a master of many styles and provided a useful blueprint for those that came after him. Originality of thought, ideas or metaphors; he had none, but he demonstrated how poems could look and sound on the page. He wasn’t included in The Paradise collection and that may have been because he had his own collection printed; a rarity at the time.

I failed to enjoy very much of this book and so two stars.… (mer)