Earthly Paradise:

The William Morris Society

On World Poetry Day... woodcut designed by Edward Burne-Jones and engraved by William Morris on the title page of The Earthly Paradise, 1868.

The Earthly Paradise was written by William Morris and published in three instalments between 1868-1870 with the narrative extending to 40,000 lines. The poem combines Morris’ two favourite periods in history in a retelling of twenty-four tales, two for each month of the year; twelve from classical sources; the other twelve from medieval Latin, French and Icelandic originals. Like Boccaccio (Decameron) and Chaucer (Canterbury Tales), both of which are specific models for the poem, Morris uses a frame story where strangers meet and tell each other stories. Morris’ medieval Norse Wanderers flee the plague looking for an earthly paradise free from death. After many years of travels they encounter some city Elders who still live according to ancient Greek customs. They settle and both communities exchange stories twice a month.

During his lifetime Morris was more well known to the public as a poet than for Morris & Co. He was even considered for the role of Poet Laureate after the death of Lord Alfred Tennyson in 1892.

Extract from the Prologue of The Earthly Paradise:

'Of Heaven or Hell I have no power to sing,
I cannot ease the burden of your fears,
Or make quick-coming death a little thing,
Or bring again the pleasure of past years,
Nor for my words shall ye forget your tears,
Or hope again for aught that I can say,
The idle singer of an empty day'.