Audiobooks by Andrew Marvell

Metaphysical Poems (Unabridged) Audiobook

Sex, science and spirituality! These were the triad of influences on the poetry of the seventeenth century. Following the golden age of Elizabeth I this century was to be one of great tensions; between Parliament and the Monarchy, Canterbury and Rome, science and religion; a civil war, the beheading of a King, The Republic, The Restoration, and finally, the Glorious Revolution which deposed a King and firmly reasserted the Protestant ascendancy. The role of a poet could be a dangerous one; Milton of course was imprisoned and threatened with execution whilst others dare not publish in their lifetimes. This selection of poetry chosen by Steve Patriarca draws on a group of poets commonly called the Metaphysicals or Metaphysical Poets. Included in the selection is one reading which is not strictly a poem at all but a sermon by John Donne, where Donne uses the characteristics of poetry to make his point about sin and mortality. His images are so striking that they have passed into the common language most of us know the phrase for whom the bell tolls or no man is an island even if we do not know the source. These poems have immense life and drama; they can be at once humorous and deeply emotional. They can also be great fun. But be warned. They can make you think!

Andrew Marvell, Henry King, John Donne (Author), Steve Patriarca (Narrator)

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15 Minutes Of Love Poems - Volume 4

Love. What is love?The question is asked by each of us but the answer remains elusive. Dictionaries summon up many words but none fulfill. Love itself is often ethereal, felt but only seen in a glance, a look, a fleeting touch. Part of Love’s beauty is perhaps in the fact that the question never can be adequately answered; its ephemeral, a chimera of the heart and only felt. Our own experiences are unique and personal to ourselves and of little help defining it for another.Love is perhaps best expressed through poetry. As Plato said 2500 years ago “At the touch of a lover, everyone becomes a poet”. Writing a love poem for ones’ partner is seen as the most romantic of gestures. It opens our hearts to another's. Lovers love.Here, in this volume history’s greatest poets convey thoughts, feelings and sentiments of love to you in quick (or bite-size) conversations of verse that can slip into your day and your partner's heart.

Andrew Marvell, Lord Byron, Walt Whitman (Author), Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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The Caroline Poets

The Caroline era was dominated by the growing religious, political and social conflict between the King and his supporters; the Royalists and it's Puritan opposition; the Roundheads.In contrast to the wars raging across Europe at the time, the Caroline period in Britain was an uneasy peace, as a dark shadow of civil conflict between King and Parliament worsened toward the latter part of Charles’ reign.Whilst Theatre unquestionably fell from its glittering peak achievements of William Shakespeare and Ben Jonson, in Poetry the standard was perhaps only just shy of this bar.This Caroline period saw the flourishing of the Cavalier poets including Thomas Carew, Richard Lovelace and Sir John Suckling and the Metaphysical poets including George Herbert, Henry Vaughan and Katherine Phillip. These movements had also given birth to the talents of the masterful John Donne, as well as lyrically satisfying artists like Robert Herrick. To this heady, yet eclectic mix we can add the early work of John Milton.In this volume we demonstrate that these poets, quite rightly, make the Caroline Age one of the glories of poetry.

Abraham Cowley, Andrew Marvell, John Donne (Author), Ghizela Rowe, Gideon Wagner, Richard Mitchley (Narrator)

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The Poetry of Andrew Marvell

Andrew Marvell was born in Winestead-in-Holderness, in the East Riding of Yorkshire on March 31st, 1621.He was educated at Hull Grammar School and at the age of 13, he attended Trinity College, Cambridge and eventually received his BA degree. It is thought that in 1642 Marvell travelled in Europe and, while England was embroiled in its civil war, remained there until 1647 mastering several languages including French, Italian and Spanish.Marvell turned to Cromwell's side only belatedly during the Interregnum after the execution of Charles the I, on the 30th January 1649. His "Horatian Ode", from early 1650, laments the regicide even as it praises Oliver Cromwell's return from Ireland.During 1650-52, Marvell served as tutor to the daughter of the Lord General Thomas Fairfax, who had relinquished command of the Parliamentary army to Cromwell. He continued to write poetry and probably at this time completed the classic "To His Coy Mistress".He became a tutor to Cromwell's ward, William Dutton, in 1653 whilst living at Eton. Marvell also wrote several poems in praise of Cromwell, now the Lord Protector of England.In 1657, Marvell joined Milton, who by now had lost his sight, in service as Latin secretary to Cromwell's Council of State at a salary of £200 a year. Oliver Cromwell died in 1658 and was succeeded as Lord Protector by his son Richard.In 1659 Marvell was elected Member of Parliament for Kingston-upon-Hull in the Third Protectorate Parliament and re-elected MP for Hull in 1660 for the Convention Parliament. The monarchy was restored in 1660. Marvell managed to avoid punishment for his co-operation with republicanism, and he helped convince Charles II not to execute John Milton for his anti-monarchical writings and revolutionary activities. In 1661 Marvell was re-elected MP for Hull in the Cavalier Parliament. He eventually came to write several long and bitterly satirical verses against the corruption of the court. They were, however, too politically sensitive and thus dangerous to be published under his name in his life-time.Andrew Marvell died suddenly on August 16th, 1678, while in attendance at a popular meeting of his old constituents at Hull. His health had been remarkably good; and it was speculated that he was poisoned by political or clerical enemies.He was buried in the church of St Giles in the Fields in central London.

Andrew Marvell, Ernest Hemingway, Ketti Frings (Author), Burt Lancaster, Charles Boyer, Ghizela Rowe, Gideon Wagner, Richard Mitchley, Shelley Winters (Narrator)

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