- Publisher: Princeton UP
- Year: 2022
- Format: Hardback
- Pages: 144pp
- Illustrated: No
- Dimensions: 222x144mm
- Condition: New
- Weight: 0.3kg
- ISBN: 9780691202167
- Product code: 535218
The Owl and the Nightingale
A New Verse Translation
Simon Armitage New Hardback
Postscript summary
An English poet of the 12th or 13th century composed this lively comic tale in which two quarrelling birds trade ribald insults while discussing serious questions of identity, culture and class. In his ‘graceful, elegant’ modern version, which is printed facing the Middle English text, poet laureate Simon Armitage aims to replicate the poem’s theatrical and dramatic qualities.
Product information
Full publisher description
From the UK Poet Laureate and bestselling translator of Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a complete verse translation of a spirited and humorous medieval English poem
The Owl and the Nightingale, one of the earliest literary works in Middle English, is a lively, anonymous comic poem about two birds who embark on a war of words in a wood, with a nearby poet reporting their argument in rhyming couplets, line by line and blow by blow. In this engaging and energetic verse translation, Simon Armitage captures the verve and humor of this dramatic tale with all the cut and thrust of the original.
In an agile iambic tetrameter that skillfully amplifies the prosody and rhythm of the original, Armitage's translation moves entertainingly from the eloquent and philosophical to the ribald and ridiculous. Sounding at times like antagonists in a Twitter feud, the owl and the nightingale quarrel about a host of subjects that still resonate today-including love, marriage, identity, cultural background, class distinctions, and the right to be heard. Adding to the playful, raucous mood of the barb-trading birds is Armitage, who at one point inserts himself into the poem as a "magistrate . . . to adjudicate"-one who is "skilled with words & worldly wise / & frowns on every form of vice."
Featuring the Middle English text on facing pages and an introduction by Armitage, this volume will delight readers of all ages.
The Owl and the Nightingale, one of the earliest literary works in Middle English, is a lively, anonymous comic poem about two birds who embark on a war of words in a wood, with a nearby poet reporting their argument in rhyming couplets, line by line and blow by blow. In this engaging and energetic verse translation, Simon Armitage captures the verve and humor of this dramatic tale with all the cut and thrust of the original.
In an agile iambic tetrameter that skillfully amplifies the prosody and rhythm of the original, Armitage's translation moves entertainingly from the eloquent and philosophical to the ribald and ridiculous. Sounding at times like antagonists in a Twitter feud, the owl and the nightingale quarrel about a host of subjects that still resonate today-including love, marriage, identity, cultural background, class distinctions, and the right to be heard. Adding to the playful, raucous mood of the barb-trading birds is Armitage, who at one point inserts himself into the poem as a "magistrate . . . to adjudicate"-one who is "skilled with words & worldly wise / & frowns on every form of vice."
Featuring the Middle English text on facing pages and an introduction by Armitage, this volume will delight readers of all ages.
Reasons to shop at Postscript
Independent bookseller
Established in 1987, we’ve been sharing reading recommendations for decades.
Books you won’t find elsewhere
Discover new authors among our frequently changing bookshelves, along with almost-forgotten gems and a wealth of unusual titles you won’t find elsewhere.
Eco-friendly packaging
Orders are carefully packed in recyclable cardboard boxes, eco-friendly bubble wrap and solvent-free labels, paper and tape.
Condition and price
All our books are new, unused and unread, and they’re all up to 75% off RRP.
FREE monthly catalogue
Featuring over 400 handpicked titles, our unique catalogue is carefully curated and includes new and unusual titles, special features and exclusive collections.
Email newsletters
Our tailored newsletters are written by our booksellers, and we always highlight the books that we have talked about most in the Postscript office.
Footnotes blog
Some books spark ideas and conversations that our catalogue can’t contain – our Footnotes blog offers a deeper dive into a wealth of topics to inspire further reading.
Aftercare
We are all serious book people and we understand the value of reading. This is why we package our books so carefully and employ a helpful in-house customer services team to promptly resolve any queries you may have.
Delivery information
UK
Free UK standard delivery on all online orders over £25
Unlimited books in one delivery charge:
- • Standard: £3.20 (3-5 working days)
- • Click & Collect: £3.20 (3-5 working days)
- • Next Day (orders must be placed before 1pm, Monday–Friday): £4.50
- • Royal Mail Tracked48: £5.50 (2-4 working days)
Highlands and Islands delivery: standard delivery only (5-7 working days)
Overseas
All orders: delivery costs for orders outside the UK are based on country of destination and product weight.
You can view your overseas delivery cost using the Summary section within the Basket.
For more information on delivery/overseas orders please refer to our Delivery Information.
product
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/the-owl-and-the-nightingale
535218
The Owl and the Nightingale
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/535218_media-0_13.jpg
7.99
7.99
GBP
InStock
/Non-Fiction/Categories/Literature, Poetry & Classics
/Non-Fiction
/Non-Fiction/Categories/Literature, Poetry & Classics/Poetry
/Back by popular demand
/Non-Fiction/Highlights/Global Literature
/Campaigns/Our Favourite Books of 2025
An English poet of the 12th or 13th century composed this lively comic tale in which two quarrelling birds trade ribald insults while discussing serious questions of identity, culture and class. In his ‘graceful, elegant’ modern version, which is printed facing the Middle English text, poet laureate Simon Armitage aims to replicate the poem’s theatrical and dramatic qualities.
Hardback
0
0
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/535218_media-1_13.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/535218_0001.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/535218_0002.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/535218_0003.jpg
https://www.psbooks.co.uk/media/catalog/product/5/3/535218_media-2.jpg
add-to-cart
rrp_info:$19.95
productId:154510
bic_code:DC
DC
$19.95
Simon Armitage
General
222x144mm
Princeton UP
No
Hardback
