Palgrave's intention in compiling his anthology in the 1860s was to collect the finest lyrical poems in the English language. The measure of his success is the great critical acclaim his volume won, and the fact that his name is still synonymous for many with English verse. This new edition of the anthology, the first for 30 years, provides insight into the changing landscape of English verse. A new section has been added to the volume consisting of post-World War II verse (thus including some names who also figured in the previous edition), which will introduce all of the significant practitioners of verse in Britain and Ireland. Fleur Adcock, Carol Ann Duffy, Douglas Dunn, Gavin Ewart, Tony Harrison, Seamus Heaney, Elizabeth Jennings, Derek Mahon, Sylvia Plath, Peter Porter, Carol Rumens, Anne Stevenson and Hugo Williams are among the names to figure in the book for the first time.