Poetry Books

The skies darken for the exiles, who have taken refuge in forest hermitages. First one demon, then another, attempts to harm or corrupt them. When these efforts fail, an army of demons is sent, and then a bigger one, but each time Rama again defeats them. Finally Rávana, the supreme lord of the demons, decides to cripple Rama by capturing Sita; he traps her, and carries her off under heavy guard to the island fortress of Lanka. Rama is distraught by grief, and searches everywhere without success.Co-published by New York University Press and the JJC FoundationFor more on this title and other titles in the Clay Sanskrit series, please visit

"The Odyssey" is a classical epic poem about the events following the fall of Troy and the end of the Trojan War which is generally thought to have been written at the end of the 8th century BC. The story centers on Odysseus and his ten year journey to reach his home of Ithaca, following the Trojan War. Odysseus's death is assumed during this long absence, and his wife Penelope and son Telemachus must deal with a group of suitors, the Proci, who compete for Penelope's hand in marriage. Generally attributed to the ancient Greek poet Homer, "The Odyssey" is a sequel to "The Iliad" and is considered one of the most important works of classical antiquity. Presented here in this edition is the prose translation of Samuel Butler.

Long narrative poem originally titled Commedia (about 1555 printed as La divina commedia) written about 1310-14 by Dante. The work is divided into three major sections--Inferno, Purgatorio, and Paradiso--which trace the journey of a man from darkness and error to the revelation of the divine light, culminating in the beatific vision of God. It is usually held to be one of the world's greatest works of literature. The plot of The Divine Comedy is simple: a man is miraculously enabled to visit the souls in Hell, Purgatory, and Paradise. He has two guides: Virgil, who leads him through the Inferno and Purgatorio, and Beatrice, who introduces him to Paradiso. Through these fictional encounters taking place from Good Friday evening in 1300 through Easter Sunday and slightly beyond, Dante the character learns of the exile that is awaiting him (an actual exile that had already occurred at the time of writing). This device allowed Dante not only to create a story out of his exile but also to explain how he came to cope with personal calamity and to offer suggestions for the resolution of Italy's troubles as well.

The Fall of Arthur is a must-read for anyone interested in the Arthurian legends and the works of J. R. R. Tolkien. This book offers a unique insight into the final days of King Arthur and the epic battle between good and evil. With its beautiful storytelling and vivid imagery, readers will be transported to a world of knights, chivalry, and magic. The most distinctive feature of this book is J. R. R. Tolkien's take on the Arthurian legends, which remains unparalleled to this day.

The greatest English version of the stories of King Arthur, Le Morte D'Arthur was completed in 1469-70 by Sir Thomas Malory, knight prisoner. This edition is the first designed for the general reader to be based on the Winchester manuscript which represents what Malory wrote more closelythan the version printed by William Caxton. Extensively annotated, this edition is highly user-friendly.

For lovers of epic poetry, Odyssey remains a timeless classic that portrays the hero's journey through various obstacles and experiences, as they try to return to home. This book is a must-read for those interested in mythology, classical literature, and adventure.

This book could be a good read for those who enjoy poetry that celebrates the beauty of music and love while delving into the complexities of the human experience. The author weaves a powerful love story that blurs the lines between the universal and the particular with the help of dreams and mythology. The book's use of motifs such as time and death, as well as the symphonic arrangement of its poems, evoke a range of emotions that make it a poignant and enjoyable read.