Moral Love Songs and Laments

Edited by Susanna Greer Fein

Book cover: Moral Love Songs and Laments

Extent: 411 pages

Publisher: Medieval Institute Publications

Subjects: Literary Studies, Medieval Studies

Series: TEAMS Middle English Texts Series

Language: English

Paperback (Published)

(February 1998)

ISBN: 9781879288973

7.01 x 10 inches

Price: $19.95

In stock

PDF (Published)

(February 1998)

ISBN: 9781580444736

Price: $16.00

Illustrates how, in the devout medieval English sensibility, doctrine was vitally connected to affective receptivity. Narrative moods range from love-longing and passion to bitter grief and sorrowful lament, feelings from the intimately personal state of being God’s created creature, individually answerable to divine law and love.


In this volume, Fein presents highly emotional Middle English lyrics to a new audience of students and teachers of the Middle Ages. These Middle English poems, drawn widely from two hundred years of literary tradition, lead readers in devotion to God by invoking an emotional response to God’s love. In this meditative tradition, readers would be brought closer to intellectually understanding God through their affective responses. With its copious footnotes, introductions, and glosses, this volume is ideal for classes on medieval spirituality and English lyrical poetry alike.

Acknowledgments Introduction Abbreviations List of Plates Thomas of Hales, Love Rune Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes In a Valley of This Restless Mind Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes The Dispute Between Mary and the Cross Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes The Four Leaves of the Truelove Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes The Bird with Four Feathers Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes Pety Job Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes The Sinner's Lament Introduction Select Bibliography Text Notes Glossary, Acknowledgments
Introduction
Abbreviations
List of Plates

Thomas of Hales, Love Rune
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

In a Valley of This Restless Mind
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

The Dispute Between Mary and the Cross
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

The Four Leaves of the Truelove
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

The Bird with Four Feathers
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

Pety Job
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

The Sinner's Lament
Introduction
Select Bibliography
Text
Notes

Glossary
  • Edited by Susanna Greer Fein