Oranges and Lemons
Rhymes from Past Times
In the earliest recorded version of the rhyme London Bridge, from 1744, the first line is 'London Bridge is broken down', no doubt referring directly to the decrepit state of the 12th-century crossing at that date. This diverting volume investigates the origins of nursery rhymes, playground songs and children's ditties from the mists of medieval folklore to the inventions of more modern authors.
The Illustrated Book of Shakespeare's Verse
This collection of Shakespeare's poetry on the theme of love includes sonnets and extracts from the plays and long poems and is divided into four chapters: on first love; expressions of adoration and commitment; on sorrow and yearning; and reflections on the nature of love. The poems are accompanied by art works that echo their sentiment or mood, including paintings by artists such as Alma-Tadema, Frederick Leighton and John William Waterhouse.